Brett Stewart - The Comeback Kid

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Sam_Chalmers]Sam Chalmers
Brett Stewart is the league's comeback kid of the 2011 season. After back-to-back season-terminating knee problems and a year mired by a sexual assault trial and subsequent acquittal, the controversial fullback's stint in the league was suspended in the first round of last season and waited in the wings until the club put him back in circulation and let him compete against the Warriors.
The Australia international and the New South Wales Manly-Warringah club call Stewart one of their own and made the Sea Eagles proud by winning the premiership in 2008. Although he was forced to take a break for the rest of the 2009 season due to drunken behaviour, league pundits still considered the troubled athlete promising when it comes to propelling try-scoring records. The sexual assault scandal in 2009 put his career on hold but he was handed a not guilty verdict in September 2010.
Sydney's Downing Centre District Court dispensed their verdict on an incident that transpired after the Manly Sea Eagle's season launch in 2009 involving a 17-year-old and the Manly fullback. Court documents revealed charges involving the 25-year-old who allegedly digitally penetrated the 17-year-old without the girl's consent and the incident was said to have taken place at North Manly on the northern beaches of Sydney on the evening of March 6, 2009. Presiding Judge Jonathan Williams heard the case which lasted a couple of weeks and handed the not guilty verdict, clearing Stewart of other charges such as assault with an act of indecency (the fullback having allegedly forced his tongue into the victim's mouth).
After a rollercoaster year, supporters and level-headed league commentators believed that the redemption of Stewart was far from complete unless he fully regained his bearings in the game and his role in the club. This challenge to Steward turned didn't turn out as an insurmountable feat, given the resilient player's record of delivering at championship events and neck-and-neck competitions in spite of football injuries that have complemented the player's journey towards rugby league excellence. Although Des Hasler, the Sea Eagle's top-notch coach, was at first emphatic in saying that Stewart would need to satisfy more tests to prove to the coaching staff that he was ready to go back into action and take on the Warriors, Stewart impressed the Manly staff by passing with flying colours and the fans with a stellar comeback.
With medical and fitness tests-and a scandalous incident-behind him, Stewart's return has proven to be a big boost to the Sea Eagles who was found missing of an outstanding fullback when Stewart busted his knee during the previous season. With his confidence and energy he garnered 100th First Grade Try in the 9th round in a face-off against the Raiders by scoring a hat-trick that moved his career trying score from 98 to 101.
For more information on [http://www.footysocial.com.au/players/brettstewart]Brett Stewart you should check out his profile on Footysocial at [http://www.footysocial.com.au/players/brettstewart]http://www.footysocial.com.au/players/brettstewart.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Brett-Stewart---The-Comeback-Kid&id=6563205] Brett Stewart - The Comeback Kid