Sydney, NSW — Prominent Marramarra man, Jayson (JD) Cooke, has publicly expressed his profound disappointment and pain following the appearance of Neil Evers at the NRL Manly v Melbourne match held on Friday, May 24, 2024. Mr. Evers, a non-Aboriginal person, was featured as ‘Uncle Neil’ and gave the Welcome to Country during the Indigenous Round, sparking significant controversy.

JD Cooke, author and producer of “A Long Con, Gone On Too Long,” Bungaree.org, and guriNgai.org, emphasizes that Neil Evers is not recognised as Aboriginal by the genuine Aboriginal community. Cooke asserts that Evers’ claim to Aboriginal ancestry is dubious and disrespectful, noting that Evers has limited knowledge of Aboriginal culture and has been denied a Confirmation of Aboriginality.

The inclusion of Neil Evers in such a significant role during the Indigenous Round, days before Sorry Day and at the beginning of Reconciliation Week, has been met with widespread condemnation. Genuine Aboriginal people and organizations have been calling out the GuriNgai group for years, and it has recently been confirmed that this group is under investigation by both state and federal authorities.

Cooke finds it difficult to believe that any Aboriginal person was involved in the vetting, tender, or audition process that led to Neil Evers being chosen to represent the Aboriginal community during this important event. “We deserve better,” Cooke stated.

The NRL and Manly Warringah Sea Eagles are urged to reconsider their processes and ensure that authentic Aboriginal voices and representatives are given the respect and recognition they deserve. Cooke calls on the public and the NRL community to support genuine Aboriginal representation and to reject cultural appropriation and fraud.