Why can't he write like this alwaysDanny W in the Sun-Herald:
There is a sad truth when it comes to Brett Stewart – the “Prince of Brookvale” and one of the greatest players to pull on a boot for Manly.
The way his NRL journey panned out was anything but princely. In fact, he could be excused for not wanting to have played the game at all, had he known how things would play out.
That’s not a journalist musing. Those who know him best understand the pain he has been through and say that’s how he feels. The feeling has not subsided over time. He rarely talks publicly but said this when prompted by this column: “I love the game of rugby league, its people, the mates that I made and our team’s success but, sadly, my life was forever changed from the events of 2009.”
The events he refers to were traumatic. He was accused of sexual assault after Manly’s season launch. The claims were found to be baseless in 2010 when a jury found him not guilty of one charge of sexual assault and two charges of indecent assault.
I’ll never forget interviewing a teary Stewart surrounded by supporters at the end of the ordeal. It was tough dealing with a man who had had his life ripped apart by a false accusation. It stays with him to this day.
It has meant living a simple, low-profile life where he doesn’t have to deal with the stares of strangers. A world where football, his profile and that accusation didn’t exist would be worth everything to him.
Brett Stewart (right) was acquitted of sexual assault charges in 2010.CREDIT: TIM CLAYTON
Stewart has remained silent since he was again thrust into the headlines in March, after being found with cocaine in his possession on a night out. It was his doing, his decision, his fault. It is why he pleaded guilty in Manly Local Court on May 3.
But, at long last, he is taking steps towards living his life in a better way. He is doing things he should have done years ago. But he wasn’t in the right frame of mind to take those steps until recently.
He knows, with the help of medical professionals, it is time to take control of his life again.
“I’ve made some significant steps forward in my mental health, and that journey is just beginning,” he said.
In 2008, Stewart and Billy Slater were the faces of rugby league. Then Stewart’s life changed. Slater is now Queensland coach and a commentary star for the Nine Network.
Stewart has a part-time specialist coaching role at Manly. He hates the cameras and attention, but he was prepared to offer me a few thoughts. He hates the glaring eyes and what people may think of him.
He won premierships with Manly in 2008 and 2011, scoring 163 tries in just 233 NRL games, but mud sticks. Stewart could be one of the game’s best coaches, but we may never know his ability.
Hopefully, by taking control of his health and his life, we may see him evolve in the next phase of his career, perhaps even as a head coach.
Very well written article by Danny here
