I bleed maroon and white. Have done, since 1987.
Since the recent news that Glenn Stewart will not lace up a football boot again in 2014, and the less-recent, but more-distressing news that Stewart will be exchanging the maroon and white for cardinal and myrtle, I thought I ought to write a paean to Glenn before he quickly becomes forgotten in the excitement of the 2014 finals series and an impending minor premiership.
He debuted in 2003 for Manly. He has represented NSW and Australia, won two premierships, and one Churchill Medal. That’s all the stats I’ll bore you with, for as Benjamin Disraeli wisely pointed out, there are lies, damned lies, and statistics.
Glenn Stewart is my favourite player because his stock in trade is intangibles. His game is built on effort, not speed; guts, not strength. He’s not super-trim, or super-buff. He doesn’t possess Herculean strength or lightning speed. But commentators have observed he is an “old-school footballer”.
He’s a solid defender, and 80-minute player, and most importantly, he plays footy. He has a great footballing brain, determination, and a wonderful pair of hands.
His combination with Daly Cherry-Evans and Glenn Stewart on Manly’s right side was sublime. He is one of those players who will take it upon himself to change the momentum of a game: with solid goal-line defence, a big hit, or a deft kick. His audacious grubber in his own half, just before halftime in the 2011 Grand Final will live long in my memory.
All of this has always been obvious in his game, because comparisons with his brother Brett were inevitable.
Brett Stewart was the wunderkind who every club wanted to sign, with electric speed, and a nose for try-scoring. Brett Stewart had the gift. But Glenn? Glenn had to work.
He went along to Manly from the Illawarra region on a package deal with Brett. While Brett lit up first grade as a try-scoring fullback, Glenn slogged through the reserves, bulking up, honing his game, and slowly working his way into first grade.
He made his first-grade debut in 2003, but it wasn’t until 2007 that he was a regular first-grader. But once he got his chance, he seized it with both hands.
Glenn represents the triumph of toil over talent. Effort over ability. He represents the player who delivers the one-percenters. He epitomises the player with intangibles: he makes the players around him better.
I’m glad we were able to send him out with a win at Brookvale last weekend.
Haz
Roar Rookie
http://www.seaeagles.com.au/news/2014/09/21/in_the_sheds_with_glenn_stewart.html And this is why Glenn is my favourite player. He's being pretty genuine here.
TD
Guest
Coward who ganged up on Adam Blair
Manly Man
Guest
That was beautiful john.
Haz
Roar Rookie
Like a lot of things I life, there's no easy answers. Yes, no, and kinda. Mitigating factors include: all of Des Hasler's back-ended contracts, the smallish current salary-cap concessions for long-serving players, and keeping an eye on the future. I would love to know what Des Hasler's long-term plan for all those back-ended contracts were. I wonder if he was betting at least one of Matai, Watmough, B Stewart, G Stewart, Lyon or King would have succumbed to injury and retired by now. Indeed, most of them have had at least one serious injury in the last few years, and lesser mortals might have thrown in the towel. It's been mentioned before, but the salary cap is intentionally designed to do just this: to separate the playing talent, and stop champion teams from dominating over long periods. There is a concession for long-serving players, but as I understand it is is per club, rather than per player. This situation where there are nearly half a dozen long-serving players at Manly wasn't really envisaged. The future? You can't really complain too much about being able to re-sign Buhrer and Symonds. Both have demonstrated this season, in Stewart's absence, that they can play at first-grade level. Football managers have to make these sort of tough decisions, and excessive sentimentality can become dangeorus. I think the club was wrong not to offer Stewart a deal, but perhaps they were thinking it would offend him to offer him a deal far less than what he is worth. But at least I would have given him the option of playing for peanuts, even if it was knocked back by NRL HQ. But at the same time, I'm not going defend the Manly front office too much. The problems with the board et al. are well documented.
john badseed
Guest
Gifty stands alone among modern day back rowers. Playing as a second 5/8 and covering the edges of the ruck Gift was the reason other teams have had to play Manly through the air as the only option to get across Manly's line. A clubman who was paid peanuts even while representing Australia. Unlike others, who after one favourable review in the papers, either ask for a pay rise above their worth or simply walk out, Gift held strong knowing he was in the right place to reach his full potential. Finally at his peak earning level he has been beset by injury because he became a target for lesser players. My favourite memory of Glenn involves he and my son, his biggest fan. For my boys 10th birthday I gave my boy a "dugout" pass at Brookie. Sitting toward the back Glenn, who that day was out injured, ushered him forward, made sure he was comfortable and spoke at length to him throughout the game against Parra. My son, now 17, still brings up that day as his most memorable birthday. Vale Glenn Stewart, the best back rower of the past decade, a good man and Manly's spirit personified. Hope you play like shit whenever the bunnies play Manly.
planko
Guest
My favourite player from past are the naturals Jason Smith , Cliffy Lyons and Glenn Stewart. These guys played what was in front of them hated training and in general playing with a hangover or getting subbed for ciggy on the sideline
Manly Man
Guest
Great article mate gifty has always been one of my favourite players. In 2011 he would of won the dally M if not for his suspension for his role in the battle of brookvale. He was on fire and showed his worth with that kick to Robertson (another of manly great) in the gf. Like you said that is something I will.never forget why no one has done it since is a mystery. Like you I am bitterly disappointed in his departure at the end of the season. I will never forget his efforts for the club I just wish I.could see him play one last time in the maroon and white.
Muzz
Guest
Good article Haz and you kept it positive but i would be curious to know if you think the club has made the right decision? imo - there has been a grey cloud that comes and goes and hangs over the team this season.DCE appears to be playing with some type of burden or guilt.A number of players just don't seem as happy at times.To me it looks like they're struggling between their loyalty and the bond they have with Glen and getting on with the job and being professionals.Not a criticism or dig at your club, just an observation.