SOUTH Sydney forward Glenn Stewart says it is going to be a strange feeling walking into the opposition sheds in his return to Brookvale Oval on Friday night.
Stewart enjoyed 12 seasons at Manly before an internal ruckus last year saw the former Test and NSW back-rower forced out of the club.
It was a decision which may have been the beginning of the end for coach Geoff Toovey.
Stewart spoke for the first and last time on Monday about what will be his first game back at Brookvale Oval, where he was once a crowd favourite.
Friday night’s match will be an absolute belter with Souths camped inside the top four and Manly coming off a crushing upset win over competition frontrunners Brisbane.
“It will certainly be a different feeling going into the other sheds on Friday night but I’m looking forward to playing at Brookie again,’’ Stewart said.
The fans were always good to me for a lot of years. I always appreciated their support but now I’m part of Souths.
“They’re always good games between Souths and Manly and I’ve always enjoyed the atmosphere at Brookie.
“I’ve still got plenty of friends there, both players and people around the club, so it will be good to see them.”
Stewart was a key part of Manly’s premierships in 2008 and 2011.
Brookvale will be bursting at capacity as the Sea Eagles continue their late-season surge for a finals spot.
“Manly have been very impressive of late and we’ll need to be at our best on Friday night,” Stewart said.
It was only internal politics that pushed Stewart out of Brookvale. The Penn family was emphatic that Stewart be retained.
Another faction on the board at that time — Quantum — stepped in and told Toovey not to table an offer.
It was one of the biggest blunders in Manly’s 68-year history.
Quantum has now left the club, while Manly district football club remain with two seats on a seven-man board. They are known as “toothless tigers” among club powerbrokers.
Stewart enjoyed 12 seasons at Manly before an internal ruckus last year saw the former Test and NSW back-rower forced out of the club.
It was a decision which may have been the beginning of the end for coach Geoff Toovey.
Stewart spoke for the first and last time on Monday about what will be his first game back at Brookvale Oval, where he was once a crowd favourite.
Friday night’s match will be an absolute belter with Souths camped inside the top four and Manly coming off a crushing upset win over competition frontrunners Brisbane.
“It will certainly be a different feeling going into the other sheds on Friday night but I’m looking forward to playing at Brookie again,’’ Stewart said.
The fans were always good to me for a lot of years. I always appreciated their support but now I’m part of Souths.
“They’re always good games between Souths and Manly and I’ve always enjoyed the atmosphere at Brookie.
“I’ve still got plenty of friends there, both players and people around the club, so it will be good to see them.”
Stewart was a key part of Manly’s premierships in 2008 and 2011.
Brookvale will be bursting at capacity as the Sea Eagles continue their late-season surge for a finals spot.
“Manly have been very impressive of late and we’ll need to be at our best on Friday night,” Stewart said.
It was only internal politics that pushed Stewart out of Brookvale. The Penn family was emphatic that Stewart be retained.
Another faction on the board at that time — Quantum — stepped in and told Toovey not to table an offer.
It was one of the biggest blunders in Manly’s 68-year history.
Quantum has now left the club, while Manly district football club remain with two seats on a seven-man board. They are known as “toothless tigers” among club powerbrokers.
