ManlyBacker
Winging it
Manly players have discussed boycotting the Dally M awards as a protest against the NRL's treatment of Brett Stewart. The move came after unsubstantiated reports DNA tests on Stewart after his alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl were negative.
Sources said Manly players were so disenchanted they have considered skipping future NRL functions, including the Dally Ms. Any such move would be a blow to the game's awards night, particularly as captain Matt Orford is the reigning Dally M player of the year. The premier also won gongs last season for halfback of the year (Orford), backrower (Glenn Stewart) and top tryscorer Brett Stewart.
Manly chief executive Grant Mayer spoke to the club's players' union representatives Matt Orford and Jason King and said both had denied the threat. NRL chief executive David Gallop said he hoped the players would come to their senses. "Hopefully in the cool light of day they will realise that's not an appropriate response," Gallop said.
It is understood Manly players discussed several issues at a meeting on Wednesday, including why Stewart was suspended for four matches by the NRL for breaching its code of conduct regarding alcohol consumption. Specifically, they questioned why Stewart was suspended when others involved in alcohol-related scandals have escaped penalty.
<a href="http://www.silvertails.net/news/Sea-Eagles/manly-players-threaten-to-boycott-dally-m-awards.html">Read the full article</a>
Sources said Manly players were so disenchanted they have considered skipping future NRL functions, including the Dally Ms. Any such move would be a blow to the game's awards night, particularly as captain Matt Orford is the reigning Dally M player of the year. The premier also won gongs last season for halfback of the year (Orford), backrower (Glenn Stewart) and top tryscorer Brett Stewart.
Manly chief executive Grant Mayer spoke to the club's players' union representatives Matt Orford and Jason King and said both had denied the threat. NRL chief executive David Gallop said he hoped the players would come to their senses. "Hopefully in the cool light of day they will realise that's not an appropriate response," Gallop said.
It is understood Manly players discussed several issues at a meeting on Wednesday, including why Stewart was suspended for four matches by the NRL for breaching its code of conduct regarding alcohol consumption. Specifically, they questioned why Stewart was suspended when others involved in alcohol-related scandals have escaped penalty.
<a href="http://www.silvertails.net/news/Sea-Eagles/manly-players-threaten-to-boycott-dally-m-awards.html">Read the full article</a>