Brett Stewart is "refreshingly respectful towards females", the deputy senior crown prosecutor for NSW has told jurors at the rugby league star's sexual assault Sydney trial.
Giving evidence as a private citizen, Margaret Cunneen SC said she had known Stewart for about six years and her three adult sons knew him through football.
Manly Sea Eagles coach Des Hasler also gave character evidence on Friday in the NSW District Court, describing Stewart as a role model.
Stewart has pleaded not guilty to sexually assaulting and twice indecently assaulting a 17-year-old girl outside his Manly home on March 6, 2009.
The 25-year-old fullback is accused of digitally penetrating and tongue-kissing the teenager.
Ms Cunneen was asked by Stewart's lawyer, Tony Bellanto QC, if the alleged actions were out of character for the footballer she knew.
"Any allegation that Brett Stewart forced himself on any woman or girl is completely inconsistent with the character of the young man I know," she said.
Mr Hasler also was asked about the charges.
"It isn't true, it just couldn't happen," he said.
"Everybody knows about Brett Stewart the athlete", but Mr Hasler said he knew his character, describing him as having compassion and humility.
Ms Cunneen said she had never seen Stewart drunk and described him as a "gentleman" who stood up when women entered his company.
"He is the first to offer a lady a chair or a drink," she said.
"He remembers their names and uses them, and he looks them in the eye when he speaks to them."
Ms Cunneen said Stewart dealt politely and graciously with the many people who often approached him, "including young women who are very, very keen to make his acquaintance".
Prosecutor Peter Skinner suggested Ms Cunneen had a reputation for being a high profile crown prosecutor in sexual assault cases.
She replied she had not done many cases since 2003, but she was aware that had been the case.
"You know from your experience that quite often people who present to the world in the most wonderful way ... can still have committed offences in private?" Mr Skinner asked.
"Yes, I have seen people give character evidence for people who are later convicted of offences," she replied.
"There is a huge distinction between the way people present in public and in private?" Mr Skinner asked.
Ms Cunneen agreed, but said in the case of Stewart, he had been to workshops about violence against women, while many other men had not thought about such issues.
The trial is continuing before Justice Jonathan Williams.
