Opinion
Lack of progress in NRL since jersey saga a kick in guts, says Roberts
Danny Weidler
Sport columnistIan Roberts says the Manly rainbow jersey controversy achieved nothing and a lack of action from the NRL in the areas of diversity and inclusivity is a “real kick in the guts”.
It is a year since the game was turned on its head when seven Manly players refused to wear a “pride-themed” jumper. The players objected on religious grounds, resulting in considerable public backlash. The fallout was a major contributor to the club’s campaign unravelling: the Sea Eagles lost their final seven games of the regular season and missed the finals. The controversy also played a key role in the demise of coach Des Hasler, who was sacked in October.
Roberts – still the only openly gay player in NRL history – was vocal at the time and has responded to inquiries from this column.
“I don’t like being the spokesman on all this, but I guess someone has to say something and say it like it is,” he said. “A year down the track and I really have to wonder why I stuck my neck out on it at all. I am really disappointed in the lack of progress that has been made in this area by the game.
“It’s back to square one at best. It may be worse because we went through the entire conversation and the Manly club went through so much and what has changed? Where is a pride round?
“The lack of action in that area is a real kick in the guts for anyone who was impacted by what the game went through. The game is clearly afraid of offending its religious players, and I know there are a lot of them. But their view counts for more [than others].
Ian Roberts and (inset) the Manly inclusivity jersey from last year. Credit: Wolter Peeters, Getty
“What message does this send to sports stars or the average person who is struggling with their sexuality or struggling for acceptance? There was talk of a respect round; that’s not something I’d endorse ahead of a pride round that is all about inclusion for everyone.
“It’s upsetting that I have to keep talking about this, but I suppose I feel a sense of responsibility because if I don’t, who will?
“I feel like there is far greater acceptance in the women’s game, so my message to men who are still living in a world where they are treated differently for being gay is simple – don’t let the haters get to you, and live your life.”
Disjointed venture
The relationship between Wests Tigers coach-in-waiting Benji Marshall and recruitment boss Scott Fulton has been edgy, to say the least. There was a lot of talk about them being dragged into a meeting a couple of weeks ago to sort out their differences. It didn’t happen. But it is expected they will be in a meeting this week.
Benji Marshall will take over as Wests Tigers coach in 2025.Credit: Getty
The hostility between them has eased, but to say they are on the same page is an exaggeration. They need a working relationship to get things done – and they need it soon.
An inability to make clear decisions quickly has haunted the club. A streamlined approach is essential, and if Marshall, Fulton and maybe chief executive Justin Pascoe or even chairman Lee Hagipantelis can come together and make swift, smart decisions, at least they will have a hope of rebuilding the battling joint venture.
Boots ′n’ all
There are some good people doing good work at the Tigers, though. In a genuine time of need for a young family, halfback Luke Brooks has demonstrated the qualities that have always made him an admired and loved teammate.
Wests Tigers halfback Luke Brooks with Reuben Guest and his mum Jordy.
Brooks has attracted plenty of criticism for his form for more than a decade in the NRL, but when he heard that six-year-old Reuben Guest had lost his dad, Will, last year he could not have done more for the young Tigers fan. Brooks and club great Marshall met Reuben on Friday and Brooks gave him his jersey and boots.
The last game Will and Reuben attended together was the Tigers’ 36-12 loss to Cronulla in Tamworth last August. Reuben has been badgering his mum Jordy, to let him play footy. After meeting Brooks, she can no longer say no.
Wayne’s world
This is the first look at one of the most-anticipated sports biographies in years: Sydney Morning Herald chief sports writer Andrew Webster’s biography of supercoach Wayne Bennett.
Over two years, Webster interviewed family, close friends, sworn enemies, colleagues, coaches and players, as well as Bennett himself, and trawled through acres of print and recordings.
The book’s title, The Wolf You Feed, relates to Bennett’s favourite anecdote about an old Cherokee instructing his grandson about the good and bad wolf inside. Bennett, like everyone, is torn between these two identities.
No part of his career and life is left untouched in the book.
The Wolf You Feed will be available in bookstores and online from September 12.Credit:
Webster examines the supercoach’s troubled childhood and how it shaped him as a man and coach; the profound influence having two disabled children had on his life and relationship with wife, Trish; his success at the Broncos and bitter fallouts with the club in 2008 and 2018; and how he led St George Illawarra to a premiership, but couldn’t work similar magic at Newcastle following a spectacular fallout with then owner Nathan Tinkler.
The Wolf You Feed will be available in bookstores and online from September 12, or pre-order now from panmacmillan.com.au.
They’ve ad enough
The reaction to last week’s column on Jarome Luai was considerable, and it may have been a wake-up call for Luai when it comes to servicing his sponsors.
Electronics company JBL withdrew its six-figure deal with Luai because it was disappointed with his communication. It’s a shame because he is such a good fit. He is a rugby league rock star. The Panther’s other sponsors have been on edge, but it is worth noting he posted Kia on his Instagram early in the week and he has been at the Women’s World Cup for adidas.
Luai has appeal to companies looking to market to a younger audience and he has the potential to snare more big sponsors if he adopts a professional approach.
The Dogs deal that didn’t happen over Knight
Liam Knight’s move from South Sydney to the Bulldogs could have happened two years ago — and changed the course of two clubs.
Knight was linked to Canterbury when Souths were going through their break-up with star halfback Adam Reynolds. A Knight shift to the Bulldogs may have freed up the cash to help Souths keep Reynolds. Instead, Knight stayed at Redfern because Wayne Bennett didn’t want him to leave. Reynolds left for the Broncos, where he has been in the form of his career.
I was present at Belmore when Knight met staff and was shown the club’s training facilities.
He has battled addiction, head knocks and injuries in a short period, but the Bulldogs lack big voices outside Reed Mahoney and Josh Addo-Carr, so a personality player like Knight is very welcome.
“I’m grateful to Cameron [Ciraldo, coach] and Gus [general manager Phil Gould] that I can continue to live my dream and play footy,” Knight said. “It’s been a real roller coaster in recent years and I want to show this great club that I have something to offer.”
Knight was a cheap pick-up for Canterbury, and Blake Taaffe and Jaeman Salmon are also value buys as the Bulldogs reshape their roster. The club is also poised to secure former Rooster Siosiua Taukeiaho.
While on the Bulldogs, Raymond Faitala-Mariner is said to be surprised after being allowed to talk to other clubs. The truth is he went to the Bulldogs and told them he wanted to look elsewhere. The rise of Jacob Preston and return of Viliame Kikau from a serious injury mean Faitala-Mariner is facing a battle to keep his spot. At this point, Faitala-Mariner can’t make an early exit because the Bulldogs don’t have a replacement, and don’t know where to get one.
Latrell Mitchell’s calf was worked on throughout most of half-time on Friday night.
Massage the truth
We told you last week about Souths bolstering their physio department to deal with Latrell Mitchell’s famous calf. Well, here is proof.
New physio Vicki Locke spent most of half-time on Friday night ensuring Mitchell would be able to function at his best in his return game. Our initial mail was that Mitchell was the reason she was brought in, but Souths denied that, saying she was there to work on the whole team. It’s clear who the priority is from these half-time shots. And with good reason.
Write side of history
The elevation of Ian Heads into the NRL Hall of Fame is fitting recognition for a great journalist. I’m slightly biased because he pushed for me to get a job at The Sun-Herald 27 years ago. I’m forever grateful.
Heads’ fearless and fair approach is something I admired. When the Sunday Telegraph refused to run a story he wrote previewing a South Sydney march to protest against being booted out of the NRL — which was 50 per cent owned by News Limited at the time — he quit the paper. That’s a man of principle. And a fair indication of the man.
It is fitting he was honoured, recently, at the same time as an another man of principle, George Piggins. He saved Souths – there is no other way of saying it. In the magnificent tributes to Piggins, however, there has been a significant omission: what he saved them from — News Limited’s push to have a 14-team NRL competition.
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