Re: General Discussions
Reply #1043 –
The hearts and minds of these players and others like them were set a long time ago, and whilst change is always possible, I'm not sure any kind of pre match consultation would have changed the outcome.
When the agent of change is one of their own, it’s highly likely that they would see the harm of their positions.
They are unlikely to change because of pre-match consultation but I assume that the club came up with the jersey idea some time ago. That’s when they should have begun consultation and awareness raising.
That would also have forewarned the club of any likely problems and enabled them to find solutions that didn’t put back the cause they were hoping to promote.
Apart from further marginalising LGBTQ+ and Pasifika folk, the situation Manly created reinforces the bonehead reputation of NRL players. A little thought and cross-cultural awareness could have gone a long way.