Star back-rower Glenn Stewart says he accepts he could be forced out of Manly due to salary cap pressure.
The former Kangaroos representative could be the high profile victim of a salary cap squeeze at Brookvale as the Sea Eagles try to find a way to retain the majority of their star-studded NRL roster.
A key figure in Manly’s success over the last decade, Stewart says his 12th season with the Sea Eagles in 2014 could be his last.
“I’ve made it pretty open I’d love to stay here but I’m under no illusions, we know what the (salary) cap does and we’re just waiting to hear back from Manly,” Stewart said on Tuesday.
“I think Manly are trying to work out what they can do but no, we haven’t heard anything.
“It’s a pretty weird feeling. I haven’t had to deal with it before but I’ve seen mates have to go through it.
“It’s a strange thing but it’s new to me so I’ll just play it as it comes I think.
“I’ve got a manager looking after that stuff and all I can say is I’d like to stay, but if it can’t be done then I’ll look around.”
With talk in-demand halfback Daly Cherry-Evans is set to sign a two year contract extension for around $1 million a year, the Sea Eagles cap squeeze is likely to only get tighter.
Utility Jamie Buhrer is another player off-contract.
Stewart said he hadn’t pondered the possibility of playing against his brother Brett.
“No I haven’t thought about it, it wouldn’t be good but I suppose it’d be pretty funny if we had to,” he said.
Five-eighth Kieran Foran said he hoped the club would retain Stewart but it wouldn’t be a distraction for them as they seek to qualify for the NRL finals for the 10th successive year.
“We can’t focus on it too much. We just have to focus on winning games and playing good footy and let the management take care of the off-field stuff,” Foran said.
“As a playing group we are not trying to read into it too much, we are just trying to let it take its course and hopefully in the end Glenn is here for the long haul.”
Rod Luton
Guest
yes my bulldogs are a bit light on for FORWARDS
Danny
Guest
You are thinking the wrong way Scrubbit, Two wrongs don't make a right, IE Fifita is not worth 850K a year. Just because some club overpays for a player doesn't mean that all clubs should.
Muzz
Guest
http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/nrl/manlys-glenn-stewart-deal-has-playmaker-kieran-forans-future-in-balance/story-fniabook-1226865653239
Scrubbit
Guest
If fifita is worth 850 stewert is worth at least 300 plus you get a discount for a long term player.
dallas
Guest
Correct "the eye" a ball player, not a playmaker. Good to see your learning something mate.
dallas
Guest
Mals the players are entitled to demand as much money as they can and are worth. If manly dont give him what he's worth than another club will. Other players shouldnt sacrifice there salary for another player, they only get 10 or 12 yrs if there lucky to make as much as they can, then its back into the real world with a rooted body and minimal skills for alot of them
planko
Guest
Nice replacement for Fifita .. Would come for a third of his money and he be would closer to his parents ... mmmm you could be on to something
BA Sports
Guest
Whoa! Scrubbit, You can't afford to pay people for what they have done, you have to pay for what you think they will do. Stewart is no longer a $300-$350k player.
Scrubbit
Guest
That's not what manly seem to think. Either he wants too much money for manly to keep him or manly are telling him they don't want him.
Scrubbit
Guest
Surely manly can find 300-350 to keep him a few more years. The only way I'd be willing to let him go is if he wanted 500 a season. Anything less and I'd find the space to keep him.
planko
Guest
EJ it is a tight rope as much as they need to keep the young guns. The young guns have to realise that the slippery slope runs both ways. They go to a weak club and life becomes extremely hard. Expectation will be extreme. Thurston is suffering right now. You pay someone a 1million you are expected to win the game every week. It has become crystal clear. If Thurston does not have a screamer of a game NQLD dont win. If DCE want's a million. Sorry EJ they should show him the door.
john badseed
Guest
Gifty played for journeyman wages his first three years even after making SOO. He's shown loyalty above and beyond so is justified in receiving his pay day from Manly. It's not as though he's on Sandow money yet he is irreplaceable. Manly seem to have a glut of outside backs they could unload to keep Gifty in the team.
Danny
Guest
Here we go again. Manly don't want to keep an ageing, injury prone has been and are using "salary cap pressures" as the easy excuse. Come on Manly, just have the guts to say you don't think he is worth the money anymore. Come on Glenn, just admit you are holding out for way more money than you are worth in 2015/16 and using "salary cap pressures" as the reason you will be "forced" out of the club. The option is simple, take a pay cut and play with a great team at a great club or take the $$$ and go to a dump like Canberra.
Danny
Guest
That'd be the best bench-warming combo in the Super 15
The eye
Guest
He'd be a great buy for Parra,who have some excellent runners,Radrada,Mau,Edwards etc crying out for a ball player to send them off..
john badseed
Guest
Auckland Blues- Benji, Gifty at half and five eighth
eagleJack
Guest
Keeping DCE and Foran together is paramount to future success. You build a club around your halves and they are arguably the 2 best young halves in the game. Would hate to see Glenn leave the club, he has been sensational for us for many years, but he may be the one sacrificed to keep our halves. And I can understand the clubs decision if that is the case.
Pot Stirrer
Guest
Almost sounds certain he is leaving the way thier all talking. Im not a Dragons supporter but thats where id like to see him go.
Mals
Guest
It will be a sad day if Glenn is forced to look elsewhere. The boys that are eating up most of the cap DCE, Foran, Lyon, Choc and Brett Stewart have to realise the pay increases they take results in less to go around for everyone else. There is no magic wand unless you are the Bulldogs ;-)
Sir Jamie Lyon
Guest
He ain't. Going nowhere. He will be manly for life