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I am picking the winner of Sunday’s Roosters-Sea Eagles grand final with a degree of confidence and it is all because of one player.
His name is Brett Stewart and in my opinion, he is way, way, more than the x-factor in a match-up of two incredibly close and talented teams.
Yeah, I know. The men from the east have beaten Manly in all three games this year but all of those were fierce battles, knife-edge stuff, but I’m not so sure Trent Robinson’s men can make it four out of four to clinch the title.
Brett Stewart wasn’t on the field in those last two losses but he is back from injury now and that’s a huge plus for the Sea Eagles.
I believe his presence will be enough to tip the scales in Manly’s favour.
This guy rarely gets the headlines – or praise – that fills the scrapbooks akin to those of Greg Inglis, Matty Bowen, Jarryd Hayne and even Benny Barba.
I have been a huge fan of ‘The Snake’ for many years and cannot understand why he is not spoken of in the same hushed tones as the best fullbacks of the modern era.
As a try-scoring fullback, he is right up with the best the game has ever known. As the last line of defence, he is pretty close to infallible.
His silky ball skills in the middle of the park (or out wide) are magnificent and he is ultra-safe under the high ball that the Roosters send up ad nauseam.
Brett Stewart, to me, is right up there with the very best players rugby league has paraded in the last decade.
His career has been stymied by a spate of injuries and a disgraceful off-field problem (sexual assault charge) that was proved by the courts to be pure fantasy.
It was a fabrication, all vicious lies, and it’s amazing that this remarkable young man has been able to get over the trauma, and play the game at all.
But Brett Stewart, buoyed by the backing of his family, the Manly club and an adoring fan-base, somehow got back on track and consistently plays at a level few can hope to match.
His match tapes, and stats, do not lie. No need to trot them out here: B Stewart is a match-winner, always has been and is a huge chance to be on Sunday night.
Just look at what he did against Souths last week. First game in a month: one try, one assist, pretty much faultless at the back.
I often find myself watching Brett Stewart – and hardly anyone else – when Manly play.
He has never let me (one of his most ardent fans) down, nor has he hurt Manly Warringah. To me, he is every inch the champion that his club, quite rightly, lauds its pantheon of greats.
I don’t really care which club wins the big one on Sunday, but I am going to have two modest bets.
First try: Brett Stewart. Clive Churchill Medal: Brett Stewart.
This player puts the ‘excite’ in rugby league excitement. I think he will trigger another Manly grand final win.
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