19 Jun 2012

Eagles lose Stewart in tough NRL loss

11:52 am on 19 June 2012

There's something about the combination of Melbourne and Brookvale Oval that doesn't agree with Manly league back-rower Glenn Stewart after his Origin III hopes were left in tatters due to a knee injury in the Sea Eagles' 26-22 loss on Monday night.

Stewart was carried from the field just before halftime in another epic contest between the bitter rivals, his left knee twisting awkwardly under the weight of Storm utility Rory Kostjasyn.

The initial diagnosis was a strained medial ligament and a layoff of between 2-4 weeks - leaving him next to no chance to play the Origin decider in Brisbane on July the 4th.

It was Stewart's first game against the Storm on the northern beaches since last year's spiteful encounter, when his sideline scuffle with Adam Blair sparked a wild all-in brawl and cost him a three-match ban.