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GLENN Stewart pulled on the famous South Sydney jumper for the first time on Tuesday and caught a glimpse of himself in a glass door that leads into the player's tunnel at Redfern Oval.
"Gee I look different. Really strange," Stewart admitted.
Stewart, 30, spoke exclusively with The Daily Telegraph about his surprise move to Redfern, Sam Burgess, Michael Maguire, his controversial departure from Manly, Sea Eagles teammates and how he will return this coming season after a fractured ankle.
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SAM BURGESS
Sam Burgess after the 2014 NRL Grand Final. Source: News Corp Australia
Some are already saying Stewart will replace Burgess. Not so, according to Stewart.
"I have been told a few times by Souths fans that I have big shoes to fill by replacing Sam Burgess," Stewart said.
"I certainly won't be trying to replace Sam Burgess. I don't think anyone could anyway, especially looking at a couple of the games he played, the grand final in particular.
"We have completely games as well. I'd be an idiot to come in and think I could play like him. I can't. I've got other strengths hopefully and a passing game and I'll be looking to use my strengths here to help the team. Most importantly I have to fit into Madge's (coach Michael Maguire) game plan."
NEW JUMPER
Glenn Stewart in full Souths kit for the first time. Source: News Limited
After being in maroon and white for 12 years, Stewart is now in myrtle green and cardinal red.
"It's definitely different," he said.
"It's a big change but it's been a good change. Looking back, it was probably a change I needed. Coming here, a big thing I have noticed the average age is 21 or 22 where back at Manly it's maybe 29. I feel like the young blokes have given me a big freshen-up, especially I am now back on the training field and trying to keep up with them. It will be good for my fitness. And I definitely feel younger mentally. I know Souths have a really proud history."
GRAND FINAL
South Sydney with the NRL premiership trophy. Source: News Corp Australia
Stewart watched the grand final from his northside home, admiring the way Souths dismantled Canterbury during the latter stages of the second half.
"I thought Souths were pretty dominant for the last month of the finals," Stewart said.
"They got better each game. It was a grinding grand final in the first half but they ran away with it and probably deserved that score in the end."
Asked could Souths go back-to-back, Stewart said: "It's so hard — every week everyone is trying to knock you off. It is relentless. When you haven't won the grand final, you can have lulls during the year but when you are the premiers, no team takes you lightly. They make you work for every win."
MANLY
Glenn Stewart in action. Source: News Corp Australia
Stewart left in sad circumstances but still walked away having helped Manly to ten successive finals series and two premierships.
"It obviously wasn't the ideal finish, the way it all played out," he said.
"Manly has been such a big part of my life, I have great times and great memories there. Two grand final wins and a couple of losses. The experiences over the years were great.
"I went through the rebuilding phase after the Northern Eagles. The Penn family have just bought the club again so hopefully that's a good thing."
THE DEPARTURE
A Quantum-aligned director, Phil Sidney, told the club not to sign Stewart. Sidney has now gone, Stewart though still feels some pain.
"I was more disappointed the way it happened," Stewart said.
"I wanted to be straight-up with the club and asked them to be straight-up with me. I feel I got the run-around a little bit rather than them giving a straight answer, which would have been fine. They were entitled to their reasons, injuries and stuff, but I was reading more in the papers than I was being told by people at the club."
BROOKVALE BROTHERHOOD
Glenn Stewart with his brother Brett Stewart. Source: News Corp Australia
Stewart was buoyed by the staunch public support he attracted from senior players including Jamie Lyon, Steve Matai, Anthony Watmough, Kieran Foran and, of course, brother Brett. Watmough left for Parramatta.
"That was flattering, getting that from all the boys," he said.
"I felt sorry for a couple of them that copped a lot of flak for opening their mouth when the club didn't want them to. We were a close-knit unit for a lot of years. We all feel very strongly as friends. I appreciated the support that came from them."
THE INJURY
Glenn Stewart comes off injured. Source: News Corp Australia
Stewart fractured his ankle back in round eight last year, further complications meant he didn't play again. He underwent two operations but will be back fresh, fit and ready in 2015.
"The injury is going great — I have been working really hard with the physio and rehab team here since pretty much a week after they won the grand final," Stewart said.
"I am ahead of schedule and nearly back to full training with the boys and hoping not to miss out on too many of the trial games."
MICHAEL MAGUIRE
"I get on really well with 'Madge'," Stewart said.
"Full credit to him for all the staff he has put here and how he has got this club back to being so competitive. There are little bits Des (Hasler) in Madge, how he turned Manly around. Des is really structured and very professional and Madge is like that. He always wants the best out of his staff and players."
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