Berkeley_Eagle
Current Status: 24/7 Manly Fan
Brett Stewart Interview & Article
http://bigpondvideo.com/NRL_Eagles/340632
Part 2 on Thursday
Manly captain Brett Stewart set for emotional homecoming to Brookvale after two years of turmoil
Dean Ritchie From: The Daily Telegraph March 23, 2011
IT WILL all start when Manly fans bang on the old caged tunnel that leads on to the famous Brookvale Oval.
Manly skipper Jason King will then lead his team down the weathered concrete path - the same path trodden by every maroon and white legend - through the players' dug-out and into the Northern Beaches sunshine.
Daddy Cool's Eagle Rock will be playing but, for the next few seconds, everything at Brookvale will become secondary.
Running out in the No. 1 jersey moments later will be Brett Stewart - the Prince of Brookvale.
Sea Eagles officials know the Manly faithful - probably 17,000 of them - will rise as one and cheer Stewart, a superstar player who has been forced to visit some dark places over the past two years.
It is about now that Stewart is resigned to tears welling his narrow brown eyes.
He will run toward a packed eastern hill and no doubt give a gentle but heartfelt clap to the fans that have stood solid behind him through court cases and long-term injuries.
This will be the most emotional day in rugby league this year. Stewart is back at Brookie to play the Newcastle Knights after nearly two years away.
Asked would this be a special moment, Stewart said: "One hundred per cent. It's going to be an emotional day. I have thanked the fans verbally but probably the best way to thank them is to go out there and be part of a winning side on Sunday.
"The maroon and whites have really got behind me. I love playing at Brookie.
"I seem to score a few more tries there than anywhere else.
"The faithful support I got from the club and supporters of Manly has been phenomenal. I can't thank them enough, to be honest.
"They never doubted me once. The club received a lot of fan mail that I have read personally. The support was overwhelming.
"There wasn't much light [at the end of the tunnel at times]. Basically the club and my family. I've got Des [Hasler] to thank for where I am and getting through the last two years."
And Stewart knows what would really rock Brookie - a tryscoring double.
That would take him to 100 tries in the NRL, joining an elite group of rugby league champions.
"I can't really get over the hurdle at the moment. I'm on 98 [tries]. One or two would be nice," he said.
"I have played two games [this season] and can't seem to get over - I can't get the bounce of the ball.
"It would be nice to score one or two tries but the win would also be nice."
Hasler himself has been Stewart's rock. One wonders where Stewart would be today if not for Hasler's steady and unrelenting encouragement and support.
"No doubt Brett is one of the favourites - they come to watch him, and so they should," Hasler said. "We are really hoping for a big crowd, we want a big crowd, we need a big crowd.
"The fans have supported him. Brett is a very special player to the fans and the club. Brett just wants to get on and play."
Asked how long before Stewart was back to his rip-roaring best, Hasler said: "Not much longer."
http://bigpondvideo.com/NRL_Eagles/340632
Part 2 on Thursday
Manly captain Brett Stewart set for emotional homecoming to Brookvale after two years of turmoil
Dean Ritchie From: The Daily Telegraph March 23, 2011
IT WILL all start when Manly fans bang on the old caged tunnel that leads on to the famous Brookvale Oval.
Manly skipper Jason King will then lead his team down the weathered concrete path - the same path trodden by every maroon and white legend - through the players' dug-out and into the Northern Beaches sunshine.
Daddy Cool's Eagle Rock will be playing but, for the next few seconds, everything at Brookvale will become secondary.
Running out in the No. 1 jersey moments later will be Brett Stewart - the Prince of Brookvale.
Sea Eagles officials know the Manly faithful - probably 17,000 of them - will rise as one and cheer Stewart, a superstar player who has been forced to visit some dark places over the past two years.
It is about now that Stewart is resigned to tears welling his narrow brown eyes.
He will run toward a packed eastern hill and no doubt give a gentle but heartfelt clap to the fans that have stood solid behind him through court cases and long-term injuries.
This will be the most emotional day in rugby league this year. Stewart is back at Brookie to play the Newcastle Knights after nearly two years away.
Asked would this be a special moment, Stewart said: "One hundred per cent. It's going to be an emotional day. I have thanked the fans verbally but probably the best way to thank them is to go out there and be part of a winning side on Sunday.
"The maroon and whites have really got behind me. I love playing at Brookie.
"I seem to score a few more tries there than anywhere else.
"The faithful support I got from the club and supporters of Manly has been phenomenal. I can't thank them enough, to be honest.
"They never doubted me once. The club received a lot of fan mail that I have read personally. The support was overwhelming.
"There wasn't much light [at the end of the tunnel at times]. Basically the club and my family. I've got Des [Hasler] to thank for where I am and getting through the last two years."
And Stewart knows what would really rock Brookie - a tryscoring double.
That would take him to 100 tries in the NRL, joining an elite group of rugby league champions.
"I can't really get over the hurdle at the moment. I'm on 98 [tries]. One or two would be nice," he said.
"I have played two games [this season] and can't seem to get over - I can't get the bounce of the ball.
"It would be nice to score one or two tries but the win would also be nice."
Hasler himself has been Stewart's rock. One wonders where Stewart would be today if not for Hasler's steady and unrelenting encouragement and support.
"No doubt Brett is one of the favourites - they come to watch him, and so they should," Hasler said. "We are really hoping for a big crowd, we want a big crowd, we need a big crowd.
"The fans have supported him. Brett is a very special player to the fans and the club. Brett just wants to get on and play."
Asked how long before Stewart was back to his rip-roaring best, Hasler said: "Not much longer."