Tonga flyer Tolatau Koula has thanked Des Hasler for his support throughout the pride jersey saga which marked the beginning of the end for the veteran mentor's second stint as Manly coach.
Hasler was sacked last week in the aftermath of a disastrous season finale at the Sea Eagles that was punctuated by the introduction of the "everyone in league jersey" for round 20.
Delivered poorly and without consultation, the jersey led to seven players - Koula, Haumole Olakau'atu, Josh Schuster, Josh Aloiai, Jason Saab, Toafoa Sipley and Christian Tuipolotu - refusing to take the field against the Sydney Roosters due to their personal beliefs.
Manly did not win any of their remaining six games and it had a domino effect, leading to Hasler's swift exit last week.
At the time Hasler sought to portion blame to the club's hierarchy for their ineffective communication and Koula said it had endeared him even more to the squad.
"Des backing us boys in our decision was pretty special, just to know that he had our backs, that's another reason why it's so sad to see him go," the fullback said from the Tonga camp in St Helens.
"He's so loyal to us.
"Dessie will do anything for us boys and I'm sure all the boys will do anything for him too.
"What happened happened, and I'm sure us as a seven will probably speak about it together. But at the moment the focus is on here with Tonga."
While Koula politely declined to expand on his reasoning for making himself unavailable, the 20-year-old said the incoming Manly coach would find a united dressing room.
"I think with everything that's happened, it's brought all of us closer together," he said.
"There's been a lot of noise, the main thing was trying to block out that noise and not let it affect us. It was all pretty crazy."
Olakau'atu, meanwhile, refused to comment when asked by AAP if the stance of the seven players had cost Hasler his job.
Olakau'atu said he had deleted his social media accounts after his stance on the jersey came to light and said he was "gutted" Hasler had been axed.
"I sent him a text after seeing everything that happened all over the socials," Olakau'atu said.
"I just said I was gutted for him, sad that he was leaving and wishing him all the best."
The second-rower's comments came as he extended his contract at Manly by another year, keeping him at Brookvale until the end of 2025.
But the dramas at the Sea Eagles continued on Friday with the daughter of Bob Fulton, Kristie, shown the door by the club.
Fulton had been a key figure in Manly's elite pathways. Her brother Scott will stay on as head of recruitment.
