Brett Stewart could miss Manly's NRL season opener
March 08, 2009
Manly officials are considering standing down Brett Stewart from the opening round of the NRL premiership as police continue investigations into an alleged sexual assualt.
Following several months of boardroom upheaval, there could be further self-inflicted pain for the Sea Eagles, but this time on the football field.
NRL chief executive David Gallop has revealed the club had already addressed the prospect of being without their star full-back indefinitely.
"Certainly Manly are considering that over the next few days as more information comes to light," Gallop said.
"My initial discussion with them, we've spoken about that being a distinct possibility.
"There's no hard and fast rule we've had with players being stood down when police charges have been laid before.
Police have not laid any charges against Stewart.
"Everyone will just have to respect that it's an early time in the investigation.
"It's very difficult to have a hard and fast rule. Obviously you need to look at how much of the facts are immediately in dispute, what sort of matter you're dealing with.
"Even with just those two things it can throw up so many variables."
The loss of Stewart would compound the
loss of Test winger David Williams for five weeks with a shoulder injury.
Manly godfather Ken Arthurson conceded the club is now facing one of its greatest tests of character.
"The behaviour of the Manly club has been something that we're especially proud of over the last couple of years," Arthurson said.
"If you look at the record there's been no major misdemeanours by Manly players.
"It's not as though there's a problem at the club, so how you react to this isn't something we're really used to.
"I think because this is an isolated incident, I think it will have the effect of binding them together. Without pre-empting anything, but knowing the quality of the guys at the club, they'll certainly pull together.
"They'll come together as one to get through all this."
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,25153979-23214,00.html
