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Why Glenn Stewart is my favourite player

Haz new author
Roar Rookie
2nd September, 2014
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Glenn Stewart.(AAP Image/Dean Lewins)
Haz new author
Roar Rookie
2nd September, 2014
8

I bleed maroon and white. Have done, since 1987.

Since the recent news that Glenn Stewart will not lace up a football boot again in 2014, and the less-recent, but more-distressing news that Stewart will be exchanging the maroon and white for cardinal and myrtle, I thought I ought to write a paean to Glenn before he quickly becomes forgotten in the excitement of the 2014 finals series and an impending minor premiership.

He debuted in 2003 for Manly. He has represented NSW and Australia, won two premierships, and one Churchill Medal. That’s all the stats I’ll bore you with, for as Benjamin Disraeli wisely pointed out, there are lies, damned lies, and statistics.

Glenn Stewart is my favourite player because his stock in trade is intangibles. His game is built on effort, not speed; guts, not strength. He’s not super-trim, or super-buff. He doesn’t possess Herculean strength or lightning speed. But commentators have observed he is an “old-school footballer”.

He’s a solid defender, and 80-minute player, and most importantly, he plays footy. He has a great footballing brain, determination, and a wonderful pair of hands.

His combination with Daly Cherry-Evans and Glenn Stewart on Manly’s right side was sublime. He is one of those players who will take it upon himself to change the momentum of a game: with solid goal-line defence, a big hit, or a deft kick. His audacious grubber in his own half, just before halftime in the 2011 Grand Final will live long in my memory.

All of this has always been obvious in his game, because comparisons with his brother Brett were inevitable.

Brett Stewart was the wunderkind who every club wanted to sign, with electric speed, and a nose for try-scoring. Brett Stewart had the gift. But Glenn? Glenn had to work.

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He went along to Manly from the Illawarra region on a package deal with Brett. While Brett lit up first grade as a try-scoring fullback, Glenn slogged through the reserves, bulking up, honing his game, and slowly working his way into first grade.

He made his first-grade debut in 2003, but it wasn’t until 2007 that he was a regular first-grader. But once he got his chance, he seized it with both hands.

Glenn represents the triumph of toil over talent. Effort over ability. He represents the player who delivers the one-percenters. He epitomises the player with intangibles: he makes the players around him better.

I’m glad we were able to send him out with a win at Brookvale last weekend.

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