RESPECTED Manly captain Jamie Lyon has opened up about the Glenn Stewart drama, claiming the Sea Eagles’ playing roster is “stressed” about the ugly imbroglio.
And Lyon also expressed surpris
e the club had failed to table an offer to Stewart after seven-a-and-half months of negotiations.
Mike Newton, Stewart’s manager, and Sea Eagles officials are due to meet sometime in the next few days for what is shaping as a final chance for Manly to re-sign their star player.
Stewart is telling friends he would be prepared to accept a pay cut to stay — but no offer looms.
Asked was the situation wearing down Stewart, Lyon said: “It probably is — and you could understand (that). It probably is a little bit stressful for him and his brother (Brett) — probably all the players, myself included.
“It is a little bit worrying that we don’t know what he is doing.”
Rumours surfaced Wednesday that Wests Tigers had shown some interest in Stewart several weeks ago but are now focused on retaining their current roster.
Aware of the flak being hurled at the club from current players and fans, the Sea Eagles board will meet on Thursday night to discuss the issue.
Asked was he surprised Manly general manager Dave Perry hadn’t made an offer, Lyon said: “Yeah, I am.
“I know how hard the salary cap is, and with the players we’ve got at the club already, it makes it hard to keep everyone.
“But, yeah, I’m pretty surprised an offer hasn’t been done yet. I don’t know all the facts to the story — I’m not going to debate it too much.
“It is probably stressful for Glenn and his family.”
Lyon is friend close of Stewart, the pair having won two premierships together at Brookvale.
“Glenn is a great mate of mine. We have been mates and played together for a number of years now,” Lyon said.
“I’m really hoping something can get sorted out. We want him at the club — he has been so important to us.
“Once we get out on the field we try not to think about outside influences.
“I don’t think it’s an influence once we get out there and hopefully something gets sorted out soon.”
Manly players are denying the Stewart situation is affecting the team.
A heavy loss though to Wests Tigers last weekend though did raise the question yet again.
Fans will be watching closely to see how Manly react in Sunday’s game against Cronulla at Brookvale.
Ironically, Stewart will return for this game from concussion.
“We have been together for a long time now, especially the two Stewart boys, Jason King, Anthony Watmough” Lyon said.
“They have been here for a long time. They have done a lot for the club and played some great footy.”
Dean Ritchie
The Daily Telegraph
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/manly-captain-jamie-lyon-says-contract-drama-is-stressful-for-glenn-stewart-and-his-family/story-fni3gnk1-1226879270729