Manly star Brett Stewart has made an impassioned plea to the NRL to look at salary cap exemptions for long-serving players, with his brother Glenn in the firing line to be forced out of the club.
Brilliant fullback Brett is contracted to Manly for four years but, on Monday, he voiced his distress at the prospect of his sibling and best mate not being able to finish his career on the northern beaches.
NRL chief executive Dave Smith is open to salary cap changes and is reportedly considering a proposal where he would have powers to pay certain players outside the cap at his discretion.
Brett Stewart urged Smith to allow concessions for one-club players.
“That’s probably a good start, something along those lines,” he said.
With Manly needing to dig deep to lock arguably the game’s premier halfback Daly Cherry-Evans to a long-term deal, the unfortunate consequence could be that Kangaroos forward Stewart is forced out – with Canberra reportedly interested.
The Stewart brothers debuted at Manly in 2003 and have celebrated two premierships together.
Brett Stewart says he’ll leave it up to Glenn to make his decision, but admitted he’d be shattered if they were split up.
“Obviously I’ve heard the same rumours as you blokes but I’d love to finish our career here. Both of us would, I think,” he said.
“We’ve had a pretty good career here so far.
“But we all know the salary cap and what that’s designed to do. So if the club has their hands tied, like every other player (you) probably shop around.”
New Zealand five-eighth Kieran Foran said he was desperate for Glenn Stewart to stay, but admitted holding onto halves partner Cherry-Evans was imperative for the club’s future.
“He’s a massive key component to this side moving forward and the success of this club,” Foran said.
“They need to do whatever they can do to make sure he stays in the maroon and white.
“I definitely want Glenn to be here. He’s great for the club and him and his brother have been a huge part of the success over the years here.
“It would be disappointing to see them separated. They deserve to play out their careers together.”
Meanwhile, Foran refused to comment on his reaction to a report naming him as one of the New Zealand players investigated for taking sleeping pills and energy drinks at the World Cup.
john badseed
Guest
The disgrace is Leagues' failure to apologise. May Gallop rot in soccer Hell.
Don
Roar Rookie
Much of what you say is on the mark Belrose Eagle except Glenn Stewart would never be taken seriously if he threatened to go to rugby. I mean, who, apart from manly fans, would care? Rugby wouldn't want him. I suggest all those passionate North Shore businesses start putting their money where their mouths are and initiate some 3rd party deals. Make no mistake. Despite Brisbane having a distinct advantage in 3rd party deals, current rosters and recruiting shows that if you have muppets involved in recuiting and poor results, you won't get the cattle. Players still want to win premierships and they can sniff out wood ducks from genuine prospects ....
Muzz
Guest
What is Lyons contract status?
belrose eagle
Guest
It rubs the lotion on its skin or it gets the hose again
belrose eagle
Guest
I do think something needs to be done about long serving players some type of loyalty clause but it needs to be fair to both clubs and players I hate seeing any players forced out after long service to a club even when that player is no longer at there best I believe most have earned the right to stay but it has to work both ways no player loyalty without club loyalty maybe a discount after so many years like only 75% of there salary counts on the cap and you can only count 3 players each year so say broncos offer cam smith 1million a year melb can match it but it only counts as $750000 on the cap or at least even up the third party deals there's no way some clubs can offer what the broncos can in third party deals and isn't that the same as spending more than others anyway why was It ok for the NRL to make it so the roosters can keep SBW with top ups but not for Glenn maybe he should have threatened to go to rugby
Scrubbit
Guest
This is silly. If Glenn really wants to finish his career at manly he will take a pay cut. To say he can't possibly stay because another club is offering him more money is the most moronic thing I've ever heard. If Smith allows an exemption to every player who doesn't want to leave their club because they can only get 300000 instead of 600000 maybe he should just get rid of the salary cap.
Don
Roar Rookie
Look, ultimately Brett or Glenn Stewart can both stay at Manly and receive more money annually if they can convert their Manly profiles and fan adoration into dollars by way of 3rd party sponsorships. The NRL is not responsible for topping up salaries or allowing exemptions for supposed "stars" who can't monetize their profiles and popularity. Glenn Stewart's manager should be punched black and blue by his client if he can't find a complicit business/s (with some behind the scenes direction by the club) to sign him onto some 3rd party deals. The problem may well be that Glenn just doesn't have a public profile that attracts sponsors. That means any club signing him will need to take a bigger chunk out of their cap, and / or from the marquee payment allowance to accommodate him, if there are no 3rd party offers to bring his earnings up.
Pot Stirrer
Guest
I think they wee already given a concession to stop lyon going to the titans.
eagleJack
Guest
He has had an injury plagued 2 years. 2013 he didn't get on the field until Rd 8 due to a knee injury. Looking back he should have stayed off the field for a further 4 weeks atleast as he was clearly still carrying a niggle for the whole season. But he has trained all pre-seson so fingers crossed he can recapture his form of 2011. Im not sure I like what you are suggesting Angry Bird. But I think it is from someone who has no idea how tough it is to maintain top form over a long period. Stewarts worst is still better than a lot out there.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
You only have to look at the AFL to see what happens when you grant concessions too high. AFL is winding this back because some teams like Geelong were able to keep a lot of stars on there books due to how long they had served. Melbourne Storm with there big 3 would be able to take advantage of this, and probably be able to add another better than average player if the concessions were too great.
Angry Bird
Guest
A far more interesting topic for me would be why Glenn Stewart has had such a drop in form during the last 2 seasons? Injury accounts for 2012- but he did not go close to reproducing his 2011 form last season when he played the back half of the season fit and healthy.... This mirrors the form trend of a guy called Gallen
Charles NSW
Guest
What a lot of nonsense Danny! Brett was found not guilty, so where is he disgraced except being drunk at the function?
Danny
Guest
Dave Smith has been impressive so far but if he weakens because of "an impassioned plea" from a disgraced former "face of the game" in Brett Stewart then he will lose all credibility. The salary cap is there for a reason. If Manly want to keep him they will. If they don't, they will kick him to the curb and blame it on the salary cap when the reality is that he hasn't been the same player for the past two seasons that he was when they won their two premierships. Manly will make him a fair offer and Glenn Stewart will then have to decide if he wants to take a pay cut (which due to his past two seasons performances is totally warranted) and stay with one of the top clubs or if he wants to be greedy and suck as much cash as he can and go to a struggling club with a dud coach in Canberra.
scott
Guest
Absolutely right. Brett can give Glen a topup of his own, Glen could just work for less or if Manly really want to keep him they can make that decision and possibly lose a different player. This is not the NRL's fault or responsibility.
Brett the Manly fan
Guest
I hope Glenn can stay
up in the north
Guest
This is just typical of Manly. For years players have had to move on due to salary cap pressure, it has been pretty effective too by spreading the talent around. Maybe Brett should sling his bro' some of his own cash to help the cause if he feels so strongly.