Manly’s rainbow retreat

Manly chief executive Tony Mestrov has retreated on the Sea Eagles’ commitment to wear a rainbow jersey next season, claiming the club will only play in one if it is part of a gamewide initiative. At a press conference where Anthony Seibold was welcomed as the club’s new NRL head coach, the focus was firmly centred on the exit of his predecessor Des Hasler. Hasler’s second stint at the club will be defined by the end to the 2022 season when seven players opted against wearing the club’s LGBTQI+ jersey in round 20 on religious grounds. ARL commission chairman Peter V’landys said earlier this month that the concept of a pride round would be explored prior to the season, but Mestrov said his club wouldn’t be leading the charge.