NRL 2022: South Sydney coach Jason Demetriou open to pride round but only if done properly

South Sydney coach Jason Demetriou would “love” for Ian Roberts to talk to his players about coming out as Australia‘s only openly gay male rugby league player and discuss the merits of a pride round in 2023.

Roberts came out while playing for Manly, having started his NRL career at South Sydney, and amid the furore over the Sea Eagles becoming the first club in league history to wear a pride jersey, he said he’d love to see other teams follow suit.

“I‘d love to see rainbow-coloured Rabbitohs or Cowboys. I’d love for them to get on-board and have their own pride rounds,” Roberts said after seven Manly players opted to stand down and not wear the jersey, a decision based on religious and cultural beliefs.

ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys put the prospect of a full pride round in 2023 on the table as he preached rugby league being “a place for everyone”.

Demetriou said helping all players understand the significance of such a move would be an important part of any such round and Roberts would be the perfect man to help explain that.

“I‘d love for Ian to come down and sit down with the boys and really explain the importance of a pride round or the potential to wear the jersey,” he said.

“We‘re an inclusive club. We always have been. It’s part of our DNA.

“(Roberts) would have some really good insights for the players.”

Manly coach Des Hasler pointed to the lack of player consultation as a significant failure in what became a messy situation during the week, one that earnt global attention.

Demetriou said the NRL could play a leading role in brining attention to inclusion but initiatives had to be done properly or risk having the issues hijacked, as they had been this week

“I don’t like doing things just as a token,” he said.

“It‘s important to people in our community, so let’s talk about it and let’s make sure that if we do it we’re really getting behind it, rather than half doing it.

“Having (a jersey) forced on you is very different from sitting down and having a conversation and understanding the background to the LGBTQ community.”