Firstly massive credit to the Snake showing you cant count a champion out, back to his best in recent times.
The most influential player in the team the past 7-8 years shown by results & quite simply, the inspiration that lifts the players around him.
Fact is he is being managed carefully, without the great rehab staff & the determination of a champion, a lessor player would have hung up the boots 2 seasons ago with ongoing leg problems...
As an avid Stewart supporter, I must confess at 1 stage this season when he was out injured there were times when the likes of Tedesco (since shown injury prone himself) were on the market & ppl quietly started thinking ...its almost time to look for a quality fullback replacement ...not wanting Snake gone but realistically wondering if he had anything left.
Well he is back with a bang & now & in the background there is serious quality blooming in Gutherson who is not the stringbean winger anymore & young Trjobovic who is simply class & future NRL material.
Gutherson is being hailed as a Dugan type- gangly & decieving with the ball, definately a distinguished future ahead.
Trjobovic has the natural football ability you cant teach, instinct & timing with the evasive speed & agility also
Hiku is a decent fill in at 1, but lacks the genuine pace needed at the back in the modern game, will be a great centre for many years to come.
Manly can again stick to the local backyard for fullbacks over the next decade.....
The most influential player in the team the past 7-8 years shown by results & quite simply, the inspiration that lifts the players around him.
Fact is he is being managed carefully, without the great rehab staff & the determination of a champion, a lessor player would have hung up the boots 2 seasons ago with ongoing leg problems...
As an avid Stewart supporter, I must confess at 1 stage this season when he was out injured there were times when the likes of Tedesco (since shown injury prone himself) were on the market & ppl quietly started thinking ...its almost time to look for a quality fullback replacement ...not wanting Snake gone but realistically wondering if he had anything left.
Well he is back with a bang & now & in the background there is serious quality blooming in Gutherson who is not the stringbean winger anymore & young Trjobovic who is simply class & future NRL material.
Gutherson is being hailed as a Dugan type- gangly & decieving with the ball, definately a distinguished future ahead.
Trjobovic has the natural football ability you cant teach, instinct & timing with the evasive speed & agility also
Hiku is a decent fill in at 1, but lacks the genuine pace needed at the back in the modern game, will be a great centre for many years to come.
Manly can again stick to the local backyard for fullbacks over the next decade.....
