Former Manly star Brent Kite says the Sea Eagles need to sort out Glenn Stewart’s future immediately or risk having the drawn-out contract drama adversely impact upon their NRL season.
Now with Penrith, Kite was pushed out of Manly at the end of last season due to salary cap pressure and Stewart looks increasingly likely to follow suit this year.
Whether Stewart stays or goes, Kite says the representative back-rower’s future needed to be finalised quickly for the good of the playing group.
Kite signed with Penrith in March last year and went on to play a leading role in the Sea Eagles’ charge to the grand final.
“It is hard because he will feel, as I did, that you had a lot to do with the club and a lot to do with the success of the club… you have played your part,” the 2008 Clive Churchill medallist said on Monday.
“We prided ourselves that we all chipped in, that we didn’t have one or two standout players.
“We had this group that was so close that got things done, to be unsure about your future is never nice.
“It’s not something you want hanging over your head. I knew early on and I think Glenn would appreciate that, just knowing where he stands.
“You can make plans but until then you are treading water.”
Manly coach Geoff Toovey has tired of addressing the issue in the media, as have Manly players.
“It is a distraction,” Kite said.
“In my situation I was able to get on top of it early.
“I knew early on I was leaving but I still wanted one more big year with the guys and we were able to do that.”
Stewart has been linked to Canterbury, St George Illawarra, Canberra and South Sydney with suggestions his brother Brett could also leave Manly if Glenn is forced out.
But Kite said he would like to see Glenn Stewart stay at Manly.
“It would be great for him to stay but it looks like it is becoming increasingly hard,” Kite said.
“I would like to see him stay and play out his career with his brother.”
81paling
Roar Rookie
Manly will lobby the NRL until they are allowed to pay him this and if they are not they will not. Manly just does not appear to be a club who will pay loyalties for past services to great players when you look at the likes of Menzies and Vaughten. No matter what the circumstances were those players finished their careers elsewhere. Manly is ruthless in that way and they have been very successful as a result. If they can't get the NRL to change the rules to keep him then they will make no sacrifices to do so.
BA Sports
Guest
I wouldn't have a beef with Manly paying him $400k because in part you are paying him for past services. But any other club would be paying overs cause he isn't gong to give you $400k worth of service next year and beyond.
planko
Guest
It would not take much I don't think he will need much to stay. But I am just not sure what he is really worth on the open market. If another stumps up 400k he will go.
Dave
Guest
No argument with the 8+ and the ability to be a one club player. Players are commodities, like it or not. They are purchased and cast as their ability or age dictates. If manly hold on to all of them until they start collecting pension cheques, then so be it. As for Snake, he certainly was given a raw deal, but he made a goose of himself in the biggest forum in the NRL and at a place where he sould have celebrated. There is a place and time for protesting. David Gallop didn't batter an eyelid, and it hasn't hurt his career one little bit.
Fil
Guest
Brett stewart had a right to be annoyed and to snub gallop. He was tarred with an allegation that saw him lose a lot of esteem in the community. As for the ageing roster, players are not simply resources to be cast away. A player should have a right to expect he can be a one-club player. Tge nrl needs to create provisions for players who are at a club for 8+ seasons to remain with that club.
Dave
Guest
It would be great to see both play out their careers with Manly. I am a big fan of their footballing ability but thier snubbing of the CEO of football when they won the proemiership has turned me off them big time. They seem to have a sense of entitlement. Granted the NRL didn't handle the Brett Stewart affair well, but both held a grudge through a time when they should have been elated. Manlyjhave been at the top of the tree because they have recruted and managed their roster very well. That has meant losing cult hero George Rose, Kite, Hopoate and host of other players. Players are the first to jump ship when offered more money, and although one can't accuse the Stewarts of that, it's the way of the world. The club has to make way for a host of jusiors or lose them. No good coming back at the club when they all retire at once or they slow down with age together. Both have been sidelined for extended periods with injury over the past year, and given that they are getting to the end of their career, thatwon't get much better. Manly need to be managing their aging list right now as Jamie Lyon, Matai, the Stewarts, Wolf man all are coming to the wrong end of their career. It's no bed of roses making decisions like that, but the ones that do, and do it well not only survive but prosper. Look at West Tigers and the Benji Marshall affair. The fans made a great noise when Benji was shown the door, but the team has prospered and they have more members than ever before. The team is going well and Benji is warminbg the bench for his new team.
Sir Jamie Lyon
Guest
Glenn is going nowhere! Manly for life. Manlys gonna win the comp this year just try and stop us