Brett's bittersweet battle
Brett's bittersweet battle
ZORBA
09apr05
<img src='http://www.alternateeagles.com/addins/autogallery/Gallery/2005rd3_Manly_v_Melbourne_25-18/Players/Rd3-nrl14.jpg' width='450' height='331' border='0'>
THE pressure cooker position of fullback in the NRL would be a daunting task for any 20-year-old but Manly's brilliant number one Brett Stewart has already made it a habit to overcome the impossible.
And in doing so the likeable lad from Wollongong has become an inspiration for thousands of young people who are diabetics.
Rather than be secretive about his problem, Stewart meets it head on and this week agreed to a television interview on Channel Nine with sports reporter Clinton Fletcher, himself a diabetic.
Fletcher came away from the interview highly impressed with Brett Stewart and how he lives his life.
``He actually opened my way of think ing to several things I didn't know about the problem but he accepts that he has a particular lifestyle ahead of him,'' Fletcher said.
``As an elite sportsman he has no choice but to lead a healthy lifestyle. He is aware of what he can and can't do.''
Brett Stewart has a constant companion in his refrigerator at the town house he shares in Manly Vale with his Sea Eagle teammate and elder brother Glenn.
It is supply of insulin which he needs to inject into his body four times a day.
The pair are as close as brothers can be and Glenn is a tower of strength and support to Brett.
It is a bond that is heart-warming to see.
Glenn knows Brett's mood changes and need for insulin instinctively.
The loyalty the Stewart boys have for each other is both refreshing and amazing.
Both are products of Western Suburbs in Wollongong and both expected to play grade for the St George Illawarra.
But the Dragons were keen on Brett but not eager to sign Glenn. The brothers had made a pact with their parents Barry and Narelle that it was both or none.
Enter Manly and the Stewart boys left Wollongong to play junior representative football with the Sea Eagles in a package deal.
And when one player discusses his contract it is done with the understanding that both brothers sign for the same period.
Manly have never had a problem with that stipulation - lengthy bright futures are tipped for both boys.
The close Stewart family was knocked for six when at 13 and with no previous history of diabetes in the family Brett was diagnosed with the problem.
A sudden period of mood swings, constant thirst, fainting and body shaking alerted the Stewarts that there was something very wrong with young Brett.
For a while a promising football career was put on hold. School children can some times be cruel to their mates and Brett got sick and tired of explaining why he was suddenly so tired and needed constant medication. But even back then he got inspiration and advice from Glenn who urged him to continue playing the game he loved.
The result of perseverance, support and dedication is that Brett Stewart is one of the most lethal try scorers in the NRL.
An amazing strike rate of 16 tries in 19 games is his current tally. But he is much more than just a try-scoring merchant.
Against the Warriors in round one, the Sharks in round two and the Storm in round three he has shown that he is courageous and talented.
The best thing about Brett and Glenn Stewart is their humility. They are the same well-mannered young men who came to Brookvale with stars in their eyes a few years ago.
The Manly Leagues Club is packed with proud supporters after home matches of late but none are prouder than Barry and Narelle Stewart.
They have been to hell and back with the boys in the toughest of sports. Particularly with Brett. Each training session was a Mt Everest for the youngster who refuses to take a short cut despite his illness.
In Brett's first match in the NRL he smashed a shoulder trying to tackle a runaway Jamie Lyon at Parramatta Stadium. The rehabilitation was slow and Brett returned to his parents home to recover and start his road back.
Many in the same position would have given up.
But not this scrapper who comes from tough stock. He simply got stronger and faster.
His form on his return demanded he get his chance in the famous number one worn by so many greats in the maroon and white over the years.
At WIN Stadium in Wollongong tonight there will be a big contingent of fans from the Stewart's home suburbs of Berkeley to cheer on their favourite son.
They have become instant Manly fans because of the local boy who has hit the big time.
<span class='smallblacktext'>[ Edited ]</span>
<span class='smallblacktext'>[ Edited ]</span>
Brett's bittersweet battle
ZORBA
09apr05
<img src='http://www.alternateeagles.com/addins/autogallery/Gallery/2005rd3_Manly_v_Melbourne_25-18/Players/Rd3-nrl14.jpg' width='450' height='331' border='0'>
THE pressure cooker position of fullback in the NRL would be a daunting task for any 20-year-old but Manly's brilliant number one Brett Stewart has already made it a habit to overcome the impossible.
And in doing so the likeable lad from Wollongong has become an inspiration for thousands of young people who are diabetics.
Rather than be secretive about his problem, Stewart meets it head on and this week agreed to a television interview on Channel Nine with sports reporter Clinton Fletcher, himself a diabetic.
Fletcher came away from the interview highly impressed with Brett Stewart and how he lives his life.
``He actually opened my way of think ing to several things I didn't know about the problem but he accepts that he has a particular lifestyle ahead of him,'' Fletcher said.
``As an elite sportsman he has no choice but to lead a healthy lifestyle. He is aware of what he can and can't do.''
Brett Stewart has a constant companion in his refrigerator at the town house he shares in Manly Vale with his Sea Eagle teammate and elder brother Glenn.
It is supply of insulin which he needs to inject into his body four times a day.
The pair are as close as brothers can be and Glenn is a tower of strength and support to Brett.
It is a bond that is heart-warming to see.
Glenn knows Brett's mood changes and need for insulin instinctively.
The loyalty the Stewart boys have for each other is both refreshing and amazing.
Both are products of Western Suburbs in Wollongong and both expected to play grade for the St George Illawarra.
But the Dragons were keen on Brett but not eager to sign Glenn. The brothers had made a pact with their parents Barry and Narelle that it was both or none.
Enter Manly and the Stewart boys left Wollongong to play junior representative football with the Sea Eagles in a package deal.
And when one player discusses his contract it is done with the understanding that both brothers sign for the same period.
Manly have never had a problem with that stipulation - lengthy bright futures are tipped for both boys.
The close Stewart family was knocked for six when at 13 and with no previous history of diabetes in the family Brett was diagnosed with the problem.
A sudden period of mood swings, constant thirst, fainting and body shaking alerted the Stewarts that there was something very wrong with young Brett.
For a while a promising football career was put on hold. School children can some times be cruel to their mates and Brett got sick and tired of explaining why he was suddenly so tired and needed constant medication. But even back then he got inspiration and advice from Glenn who urged him to continue playing the game he loved.
The result of perseverance, support and dedication is that Brett Stewart is one of the most lethal try scorers in the NRL.
An amazing strike rate of 16 tries in 19 games is his current tally. But he is much more than just a try-scoring merchant.
Against the Warriors in round one, the Sharks in round two and the Storm in round three he has shown that he is courageous and talented.
The best thing about Brett and Glenn Stewart is their humility. They are the same well-mannered young men who came to Brookvale with stars in their eyes a few years ago.
The Manly Leagues Club is packed with proud supporters after home matches of late but none are prouder than Barry and Narelle Stewart.
They have been to hell and back with the boys in the toughest of sports. Particularly with Brett. Each training session was a Mt Everest for the youngster who refuses to take a short cut despite his illness.
In Brett's first match in the NRL he smashed a shoulder trying to tackle a runaway Jamie Lyon at Parramatta Stadium. The rehabilitation was slow and Brett returned to his parents home to recover and start his road back.
Many in the same position would have given up.
But not this scrapper who comes from tough stock. He simply got stronger and faster.
His form on his return demanded he get his chance in the famous number one worn by so many greats in the maroon and white over the years.
At WIN Stadium in Wollongong tonight there will be a big contingent of fans from the Stewart's home suburbs of Berkeley to cheer on their favourite son.
They have become instant Manly fans because of the local boy who has hit the big time.
<span class='smallblacktext'>[ Edited ]</span>
<span class='smallblacktext'>[ Edited ]</span>
