I was with Brett Stewart when the phone call came through on Tuesday night informing him that he'd be out of football for the next five months. The look on the young bloke's face was one of utter devastation and desperation.

For the second year running a knee injury - albeit the left, not the right this time - has robbed us of one of the NRL's genuine excitement machines.

You don't have to be a Manly fan to appreciate the Snake's brilliance - 98 tries in 119 games says it all - and to lose him for the next 17, 18 rounds is simply heart-breaking.

Brett comes from a very loving and supportive family and he has a lot of close mates at the Manly club, but I can't help but worry about him when football is taken from his life.

The poor kid is going through hell off the field, his court case next Monday would be enough for any young man.

Football is his sanctuary away from all the drama and he is one shattered young man without it.

But he'll come back bigger and better.

He's targetted Round 20 for his return and by that stage we'll be rolling on towards the semis.

He will be the great impetus late in the season for us to challenge for the title.

Some of you will be saying Manly can't win it without Stewart.

They are probably those same Souths supporters who gave it to me last week when I suggested the Bunnies were over-hyped and over-rated.

I see you've all crawled back into your holes after the Chooks embarrassed you 36-10.

I also noticed The Gladiator leaving the coliseum before the slaughter was completed.

Poor Russell. Rugby league isn't acting - it's real and it's got to happen out on the field.

The much-vaunted Souths pack was tough and willing but it lacked skill.

I still say they will last as long in the finals race as an unlocked Mazda RX7 outside Redfern Oval.

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