Glenn Stewart’s Origin dream is over after the NRL judiciary found him guilty of a dangerous throw on Wednesday night, robbing the Manly backrower of a debut NSW jumper.
Stewart will be forced to watch next Wednesday’s Origin series-opener in Melbourne from Sydney’s northern beaches, with Blues’ 18th man Luke Lewis to take his place on the bench as NSW set about denying Queensland a record fourth straight series win.
The Test representative had been one of eight new faces in the Blues side, but Stewart and his representative Geoff Bellew were unable to convince the three-man judiciary panel – which included former NSW backrower Brad Clyde – that Sea Eagles teammate Shane Rodney was to blame for the tackle which sent Gold Coast five-eighth Mat Rogers plummeting to the ground head first.
“I’m very disappointed with the result, but there’s not much I can do about it,” a dejected Stewart said following the hearing.
“I just want to wish the rest of the boys all the best for game one and look forward to my chances for the rest of the series.”
The biggest winner out of the decision was no doubt Penrith utility Lewis, who played the last of his three matches for NSW way back in 2004.
“We are all really disappointed for Glenn, he’s a great bloke and we will miss him in the camp,” Lewis said.
“It’s not the way you want to get a start but I am excited to be playing and I plan to make the most of the opportunity.”
A decision on a new 18th man is not expected until after the weekend, though it is expected one of the snubbed Test duo of Anthony Laffranchi or Anthony Watmough will be handed a late reprieve.
Bellew has a tremendous record at NRL headquarters despite losing his last two cases, with Stewart joining New Zealand hooker Isaac Luke in missing a representative match.
On Wednesday Bellew claimed the tackle involving Rogers only went wrong once Rodney got involved.
Stewart said he didn’t realise the tackle was heading for a dangerous conclusion, saying he was just trying to perform a ball-and-all tackle.
While Bellew argued Rodney’s downward force was to blame, judiciary counsel Peter Kite said it was Stewart who instigated the dangerous motion by grabbing hold of Rogers’ leg.
Kite also claimed Stewart let go of Rogers when he realised the Titan was heading for the turf.
“Wasn’t it because you knew he was in a dangerous position and you didn’t want to drive on?” Kite asked, to which Stewart replied: “No.”
Despite the infringement happening at NRL level, Stewart will not miss any club games as a result.
“It’s harsh, obviously it’s his first Origin opportunity, but Glenn’s a quality player, I’m sure he’ll be right for game two and beyond,” Sea Eagles chief executive Grant Mayer said.
“It was a fair hearing, there’s no doubt Geoff Bellew ran a pretty good case but at the end of the day they found against Glenn so we’ve just got to take it.”
Asked if he thought missing Origin was too big a penalty, Mayer said: “Every year these sorts of arguments come forward. It’s just disappointing for Glenn but I’m sure he’ll move on.”
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