MANLY Sea Eagles fullback Brett Stewart will take the field for the opening rounds of the NRL season with sexual assault allegations still hanging over his head.

Manly CEO Graham Lowe confirmed there were no plans to stand down the star player after Deputy Chief Magistrate Paul Cloran yesterday adjourned the case against Stewart until March 22.

Magistrate Cloran suppressed evidence tendered to the court by a psychiatrist, who has been treating a teenage girl who accused Stewart of sexual assault.

Media outlets were last night attempting to have the suppression order lifted through the Supreme Court.

Stewart arrived at Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court yesterday morning hand-in-hand with his girlfriend Jamie Baker.

Court appearance and the media circus, see the photos (with thanks to the Manly Daily)

While his teammates trained as planned at Narrabeen, the 24-year-old footballer appeared in court flanked by his parents, brother Glenn and Sea Eagles coach Des Hasler.

Stewart is charged with having sexual intercourse with the 17-year-old girl without her consent on the evening of March 6 last year at North Manly.

He is also charged with assault with an act of indecency, namely that he “forced his tongue into her mouth”.

The case was adjourned until next month, two rounds into the NRL season. Manly CEO Graham Lowe told The Manly Daily the club would not stand down Stewart despite the allegations.

``He’s always had the total support of the club and he was always going to play,’’ Mr Lowe said.

``As far as we are concerned, it’s business as usual. It’s difficult, but he’s got the total support of everyone at the club and he will be playing. There’s nothing we can do about it. We’ve just got to go about our business in a strong and positive way.’’

The girl at the centre of the allegations did not attend yesterday’s hearing.

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