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NRL: Brett Stewart's return great news for loyal fans
RUGBY LEAGUE
14 JAN 11 @ 02:56PM BY PETER PETERS
http://manly-daily.whereilive.com.au/sport/story/bretts-return-great-news-for-loyal-fans/
Brett Stewart is primed for a massive 2011. Photo - Braden Fastier.
IT WAS a sight to send energy surges through every Sea Eagles fan eyeing off the juicy pre-season odds of 21-1 about the 2011 premiership chances of the men in maroon and white.
A sweating Brett Stewart was sprinting against the clock and side-stepping electronically controlled traffic lights at the Sydney Academy of Sport this week - the first time in almost two years that the Manly champion has been able to complete such a session without stinging pain.
Stewart says little about his rehabilitation to anyone bar his constant companion, physiotherapist Andre Rickenbach and coach Des Hasler. But the smile and spring in his step tell me the try-scoring freak is happy with his progress.
Will Stewart return to his best in 2011? Have your say below.
What I can report is that the doom and gloom experts in the public are way off target in their predictions that Stewart will never make it back to the glittering heights of his early career.
They are selling short the determination of this 25-year-old.
At age 13, most boys would start feeling sorry for themselves if they were suddenly diagnosed with extreme diabetes.
Stewart simply managed it and the boyhood champion with the Wests Red Devils in Wollongong didnt miss a beat on his dream path to the NRL.
He showed his loyalty when he turned his back on the St George Illawarra Dragons. They wanted him but not his brother and best mate Glenn.
The two teenagers jumped at the chance to join the Sea Eagles, who wanted both youngsters. The result has been a premiership, NSW Origin and Australian Test jerseys for the brothers.
Rehabilitation from serious injury is a lonely path for a professional sportsman. Months and months and then hours and hours of swimming and gym work before running becomes possible.
The first tentative and painful steps are now behind Stewart and he yearns for the days when he can join in with his mates in team drills on the field.
Gradually he is joining in that type of work and, while no comeback date has been set, I know hed love to be back in time for round one on Saturday, March 12: Manly v Melbourne at AAMI Park. Brett Stewart v Billy Slater.
That would be a confrontation to capture the imagination of the sporting world. Bring it on, old Greek is pumped.
*****
THE Sea Eagles lost a heck of a lot when hard-working backrower Shane Rodney was injured a few rounds out from the finals last season and was forced to undergo a serious knee operation.
Rodney has worked overtime over the past four months and is delighted with his progress. So much so that he has set his sights on being available against the Storm as his comeback match.
I am not sure about the trials, but Im feeling confident about the start of the premiership, if the coach wants me, Rodney said.
He was having his best season since joining the club last year before he was injured.
Another player returning from a long layoff is winger David Williams. He is looking like a powerhouse at training.
The Wolfman missed all of last season after suffering a shoulder injury before the start of the 2010 premiership. He looked strong and fast in sessions this week and is keen to make up for lost time.
*****
Anyone thinking that Manlys new 21-year-old halfback Daly Cherry-Evans is a shrinking violet needs to review their thoughts. DCE made his media debut on Wednesday and handled a 60-minute multitude of all-in and one-on-one print and electronic interviews with absolute ease and confidence.
He is aware of the massive job he has in the prized No. 7 jersey, but is relishing the challenge.
With a new three-year deal with the Sea Eagles in the bank, he is counting down to the trials and then the premiership.
I have been given an excellent apprenticeship by the club, Cherry-Evans said.
They have brought me along slowly and have gradually upped the ante to the point where we are now out. The senior players and coaches have instilled confidence in me and I will do what is required. I already know my role in the team and what is expected.
I am fortunate that I have great halfback mentors in Des Hasler and Geoff Toovey available to me every day. If I cant learn off them, then I am an idiot.
Cherry-Evans comes from good footy stock. His mum Kellie is the sister of former Brisbane Redcliffe forward legend Steve Cherry and his dad Troy is an ex-hooker with Redcliffe and Brisbane Norths.
RUGBY LEAGUE
14 JAN 11 @ 02:56PM BY PETER PETERS
http://manly-daily.whereilive.com.au/sport/story/bretts-return-great-news-for-loyal-fans/
Brett Stewart is primed for a massive 2011. Photo - Braden Fastier.
IT WAS a sight to send energy surges through every Sea Eagles fan eyeing off the juicy pre-season odds of 21-1 about the 2011 premiership chances of the men in maroon and white.
A sweating Brett Stewart was sprinting against the clock and side-stepping electronically controlled traffic lights at the Sydney Academy of Sport this week - the first time in almost two years that the Manly champion has been able to complete such a session without stinging pain.
Stewart says little about his rehabilitation to anyone bar his constant companion, physiotherapist Andre Rickenbach and coach Des Hasler. But the smile and spring in his step tell me the try-scoring freak is happy with his progress.
Will Stewart return to his best in 2011? Have your say below.
What I can report is that the doom and gloom experts in the public are way off target in their predictions that Stewart will never make it back to the glittering heights of his early career.
They are selling short the determination of this 25-year-old.
At age 13, most boys would start feeling sorry for themselves if they were suddenly diagnosed with extreme diabetes.
Stewart simply managed it and the boyhood champion with the Wests Red Devils in Wollongong didnt miss a beat on his dream path to the NRL.
He showed his loyalty when he turned his back on the St George Illawarra Dragons. They wanted him but not his brother and best mate Glenn.
The two teenagers jumped at the chance to join the Sea Eagles, who wanted both youngsters. The result has been a premiership, NSW Origin and Australian Test jerseys for the brothers.
Rehabilitation from serious injury is a lonely path for a professional sportsman. Months and months and then hours and hours of swimming and gym work before running becomes possible.
The first tentative and painful steps are now behind Stewart and he yearns for the days when he can join in with his mates in team drills on the field.
Gradually he is joining in that type of work and, while no comeback date has been set, I know hed love to be back in time for round one on Saturday, March 12: Manly v Melbourne at AAMI Park. Brett Stewart v Billy Slater.
That would be a confrontation to capture the imagination of the sporting world. Bring it on, old Greek is pumped.
*****
THE Sea Eagles lost a heck of a lot when hard-working backrower Shane Rodney was injured a few rounds out from the finals last season and was forced to undergo a serious knee operation.
Rodney has worked overtime over the past four months and is delighted with his progress. So much so that he has set his sights on being available against the Storm as his comeback match.
I am not sure about the trials, but Im feeling confident about the start of the premiership, if the coach wants me, Rodney said.
He was having his best season since joining the club last year before he was injured.
Another player returning from a long layoff is winger David Williams. He is looking like a powerhouse at training.
The Wolfman missed all of last season after suffering a shoulder injury before the start of the 2010 premiership. He looked strong and fast in sessions this week and is keen to make up for lost time.
*****
Anyone thinking that Manlys new 21-year-old halfback Daly Cherry-Evans is a shrinking violet needs to review their thoughts. DCE made his media debut on Wednesday and handled a 60-minute multitude of all-in and one-on-one print and electronic interviews with absolute ease and confidence.
He is aware of the massive job he has in the prized No. 7 jersey, but is relishing the challenge.
With a new three-year deal with the Sea Eagles in the bank, he is counting down to the trials and then the premiership.
I have been given an excellent apprenticeship by the club, Cherry-Evans said.
They have brought me along slowly and have gradually upped the ante to the point where we are now out. The senior players and coaches have instilled confidence in me and I will do what is required. I already know my role in the team and what is expected.
I am fortunate that I have great halfback mentors in Des Hasler and Geoff Toovey available to me every day. If I cant learn off them, then I am an idiot.
Cherry-Evans comes from good footy stock. His mum Kellie is the sister of former Brisbane Redcliffe forward legend Steve Cherry and his dad Troy is an ex-hooker with Redcliffe and Brisbane Norths.
