UNDERRATED second-rower Glenn Stewart has become Manly's fourth pivot in 2008 with Sea Eagles coach Des Hasler comparing him to Test five-eighth Greg Bird.
The older brother of NSW fullback Brett Stewart, Glenn last night played in a second receiver role as the Sea Eagles ground away to eventually crush North Queensland 38-6 at Bluetongue Stadium in Gosford.
He is the fourth five-eighth used by Hasler this season, behind centres Jamie Lyon and Steve Matai while Steve Menzies was listed at pivot last night but played a roving role.
A former five-eighth in his junior days at Wollongong, Hasler says Manly were looking to develop the 24-year-old's untapped playmaking potential - much like Test and Cronulla coach Ricky Stuart has done with Bird.
“He has got a lot of creativity Glenn and it's another part of his game which we are happy to see him developing and working with it,†Hasler told ABC radio.
“He is a fair ball player, not unlike Greg Bird is he.â€ÂÂ
Stewart meanwhile says he just happy to be returning to form after admitting he struggled in the opening weeks of the NRL season with an ongoing ankle injury.
“I wasn't happy with my start of the year, real disappointed in how I started the year,†said Stewart.
“I was sort of carrying a bit of an injury with my ankle but I seem to be getting over that and getting back to where I was last year.â€ÂÂ
Manly's seven tries to one win over the 15th placed Cowboys has catapulted them to second place on the NRL table, two points behind Gold Coast, courtesy of Origin-aided losses to Brisbane and Melbourne.
Both clubs were severely under-manned without their Origin stars as the Broncos suffered a 13-6 loss to Cronulla and the Storm fell 36-12 to St George Illawarra.
Stewart believes the Sea Eagles, who only lost brother Brett to rep duty, are starting to hit their 2007 form.
“Last year we came out on the front foot and went eight from eight but this year we've sort of started slow but seem to be hitting our straps now,†said Stewart.
“If we can maintain this and come home at the end that is the main thing.
“I suppose considering the quality players we have got we haven't been stricken too bad (by Origin duty). It's good for us, every game is important and every point counts towards where you get at the end of the year.â€ÂÂ
AAP
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23717663-5012431,00.html
I also read this morning that Manly are one of two NRL clubs going for Chris Bailey...
The older brother of NSW fullback Brett Stewart, Glenn last night played in a second receiver role as the Sea Eagles ground away to eventually crush North Queensland 38-6 at Bluetongue Stadium in Gosford.
He is the fourth five-eighth used by Hasler this season, behind centres Jamie Lyon and Steve Matai while Steve Menzies was listed at pivot last night but played a roving role.
A former five-eighth in his junior days at Wollongong, Hasler says Manly were looking to develop the 24-year-old's untapped playmaking potential - much like Test and Cronulla coach Ricky Stuart has done with Bird.
“He has got a lot of creativity Glenn and it's another part of his game which we are happy to see him developing and working with it,†Hasler told ABC radio.
“He is a fair ball player, not unlike Greg Bird is he.â€ÂÂ
Stewart meanwhile says he just happy to be returning to form after admitting he struggled in the opening weeks of the NRL season with an ongoing ankle injury.
“I wasn't happy with my start of the year, real disappointed in how I started the year,†said Stewart.
“I was sort of carrying a bit of an injury with my ankle but I seem to be getting over that and getting back to where I was last year.â€ÂÂ
Manly's seven tries to one win over the 15th placed Cowboys has catapulted them to second place on the NRL table, two points behind Gold Coast, courtesy of Origin-aided losses to Brisbane and Melbourne.
Both clubs were severely under-manned without their Origin stars as the Broncos suffered a 13-6 loss to Cronulla and the Storm fell 36-12 to St George Illawarra.
Stewart believes the Sea Eagles, who only lost brother Brett to rep duty, are starting to hit their 2007 form.
“Last year we came out on the front foot and went eight from eight but this year we've sort of started slow but seem to be hitting our straps now,†said Stewart.
“If we can maintain this and come home at the end that is the main thing.
“I suppose considering the quality players we have got we haven't been stricken too bad (by Origin duty). It's good for us, every game is important and every point counts towards where you get at the end of the year.â€ÂÂ
AAP
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23717663-5012431,00.html
I also read this morning that Manly are one of two NRL clubs going for Chris Bailey...
