🏉 Manly Do Their Pride Jersey Proud

Hey hey, it's Friday, 29 July. Well done, you've made it to Friday. It's been a huge week with player boycotts, controversial finishes, world records, the Comm Games kicking off and the start of the robot apocalypse. Given it has been such a full-on week, we hereby grant you a half day at work. You deserve it. Just keep in mind we have absolutely no power or authority to make this decision. Alright, let's get stuck in.

⏱ 1146 words = 6 minutes

👀 Better do your homework.

THE MAIN GAME

🏉 Sea Eagles go down swinging

We've been talking about it all week and last night the Manly Sea Eagles played in their rainbow-trimmed pride jersey without 7 of their best players. They didn't get the win, but they certainly put up a fight.

The score: Sydney Roosters beat Manly Sea Eagles 20-10 at 4 Pines Park

Golden points: It was always going to be a tough ask for Manly to beat an in-form Roosters team after the week they've had and without the 7 players who boycotted the game on religious grounds.

• It looked like the predicted blowout was on the cards when Roosters winger Daniel Tupou scored untouched in the 8th minute.

• The Roosters went into halftime 18-6 up, but they couldn't get across the try line in the 2nd half against an undermanned Manly side that refused to give in.

• The result means the Roosters are now 2 points clear of Manly in 8th on the ladder, and the Sea Eagles could slip to 11th if the Raiders and Dragons both win this weekend.

• But this match was about more than just the footy. This was the 1st time an NRL team has worn an inclusive pride jersey, and there were plenty of rainbow jerseys and flags in the crowd in Brookvale.

• Those fans might want to hold onto that gear because Manly chairman Scott Penn says he's spoken to the 7 players who stood down and is confident they'll play in the jersey next year if everybody works together.

They said it: "It's really important for us to understand where everyone comes from. How can we not go in there and understand and accept what people have done if we are out here trying to promote inclusiveness and diversity?" - Manly captain Daly Cherry-Evans.

Watch it: Check out the highlights from last night's game.

QUICK SINGLES

🏎 F1: Sebastian Vettel announces his retirement in 1st Instagram post. Vettel started his Insta career with a bang, posting a black and white video explaining he's retiring at the end of the year to spend more time with his kids. The 35yo drove for 5 teams in 15 years and will be remembered as the youngest world champion ever and his 4-straight world titles with Red Bull from 2010-2013.

🥇 Comm Games: The Birmingham Games are officially open but an Aussie has already caught COVID. Australia's dual world champion javelin thrower Kelsey-Lee Barber tested positive on the eve of the Games. But the good news is the javelin isn't until the last day of track and field on August 7 and she's asymptomatic, and asymptomatic athletes can still compete in Birmingham.

🏀 Basketball: The US Government offers Russia a deal to get Olympic champion Brittney Griner home. Griner has been detained in Moscow on drug-related charges since February but the US Government has revealed they've offered Russia a prisoner swap in the hope of getting Griner and alleged spy Paul Whelan. Griner is facing 10 years in jail if found guilty of transporting drugs. Her trial is expected to end in early August.

🏉 Rugby: The 20-minute red card is back for The Rugby Championship. When World Rugby decided against a global trial of the 20-minute red card rule in May it looked as though it would be gone forever. But SANZAAR (South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Argentina Rugby) strongly believes it keeps the spectacle in the game so it's back for TRC that starts next weekend.

🚴‍♀️ Cycling: Lorena Wiebes sprints to Stage 5 win at the Tour de France Femmes. Wiebes avoided a huge crash to win her 2nd stage of the tour and keep the sprinter's green jersey. Marianne Vos of team Jumbo-Visma (remember it's a soft 'j') finished 3rd and she's still got the leader's yellow jersey with 3 stages to go.

LEFT OF FIELD

🏉 NFL: When it comes to doing your homework, not even multi-million dollar athletes can get out of it sometimes. American football quarterback Kyler Murray signed a new 5-year, $330 million deal this week and there's a special clause in his contract. Murray must complete 4 hours of independent study each week and cannot be distracted by things like TV, the internet or video games. The thing is, Murray is a big Call of Duty player and research shows his performances drop every year when the new Call of Duty game comes out. If he doesn't do his homework, he could lose $143 million. He better get a dog.

📽 Highlight reel: Yesterday we had one of the very best catches you'll see at a baseball game. Today, it's pretty much the opposite...

📸 Photo finish: Aussie judoka Josh Katz and his teammates at the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony this morning. Thoughts on the uniform?

THE POLLING BOOTH

Thursday's result: 36.84% said they couldn't match Dean Boxall's wild celebrations.

WHAT WE'RE WATCHING

• 🏉 Friday 7:30pm - AFL - Dockers v Demons - Optus Stadium - Channel 7, Foxtel, Kayo

• 🏉 Friday 7:55pm - NRL - Panthers v Eels - CommBank Stadium - Channel 9, Foxtel, Kayo

• 🥇 Friday 7:00pm - Commonwealth Games - Day 1 - Birmingham - Channel 7, 7plus

• 🏉 Saturday 5:30pm - NRL - Sharks v Rabbitohs - PointsBet Stadium - Foxtel, Kayo

• 🥇 Saturday 7:00pm - Commonwealth Games - Day 2 - Birmingham - Channel 7, 7plus

• 🏉 Saturday 7:00pm - AFL - Cats v Bulldogs - GMHBA Stadium - Channel 7, Foxtel, Kayo

• 🥇 Sunday 7:00pm - Commonwealth Games - Day 3 - Birmingham - Channel 7, 7plus

• 🏎 Sunday 9:30pm - Formula 1 - Hungarian Grand Prix - Mogyoród - Foxtel, Kayo

All times AEST

THE MANAGER'S OFFICE

There's only one thing the manager hates more than a bunch of wet towels on the floor, and that's a referral that's gone missing... Tell your teammates, supporters, and physio about us. No one likes a ball hog...