Buddy Franklin’s supermodel wife Jesinta Franklin has a go at Manly over their pride jersey fiasco

Buddy Franklin’s wife Jesinta has weighed in on the Manly Sea Eagles row that has dominated headlines this week, with the football agent aiming a dig at the NRL club.

Seven Manly players have refused to take the field on Thursday night after the club unveiled a pride jersey to be worn for the match against the Sydney Roosters.

Josh Aloiai, Jason Saab, Christian Tuipulotu, Josh Schuster, Haumole Olakau’atu, Tolu Koula and Toafofoa Sipley have stood themselves down from the clash because the rainbow strip goes against their religious and cultural beliefs. 

Buddy Franklin’s wife has aimed a dig at the Manly Sea Eagles for their controversial stance

Unsurprisingly, the controversial stance has garnered widespread reaction across Australia, and Manly coach Des Hasler faces the tough task of reuniting his playing group amid this turbulent storm.

And now Jesinta Franklin – wife of AFL legend Buddy – has had her say on the debate, making a pointed reference to how the Sydney Swans seemingly had no issue with wearing pride jerseys against St Kilda last month.

Sharing an image of Buddy in his pride jersey, Jesinta posted: ‘This is how it’s done.’

The NRL club announced they would play in pride jerseys for their game v Sydney Roosters 

Josh Schuster (pictured) is among the seven boycotting stars who have refused to play

Elsewhere, ARL Commission Chairman Peter V’Landys believes the NRL could stage a Pride Round as early as next year – despite the Manly Sea Eagles rainbow jersey debacle this week.

Speaking on Sky News‘ AM Agenda on Wednesday, the footy supremo also stated it it is an ‘all or nothing’ approach when it comes to footy stars wearing a pride jersey in NRL games.

V’Landys was responding to a question from journalist Laura Jayes, who asked if the seven Manly footballers who refused to wear a rainbow jersey could potentially have worn ‘normal’ playing kits for the clash against the Roosters at 4 Pines Park on Thursday.

Jesinta Franklin (left) took to social media to fire back at the seven boycotting players 

That left-field scenario was quickly dismissed by V’Landys, as it ‘sends the wrong signal.’

‘We will certainly look into it (hosting a Pride Round),’ he said.

‘In sport, we are all one. Of course, the players have the freedom of choice, that is part of living in Australia (in a democracy.)

‘If you are gay, you are not different…our message is, you are one of us, you are still the same.’