Toovey lauds “fantastic” Stewart

Manly coach Geoff Toovey has described Brett Stewart‘s two-try performance against Brisbane on Friday as “fantastic”.

Full-back Stewart bagged a brace of tries and created another during a dominant first half from the Sea Eagles at Brookvale, which allowed the premiers to go on and record a 16-6 victory.

“He was fantastic tonight,” Sea Eagles coach Toovey told the club’s official website.

“Particularly in that first half, he turned up for everything.

“In the second half he directed the troops around well, he’s an exciting player and has been for many years, we hope he continues that way.”

Stewart moved last week to quell speculation about a possible move from Brookvale, telling the media he was “not far away” from signing a new contract with the club.

The victory consolidates Manly’s place in the NRL‘s top four ahead of the finals but Toovey says the focus for the squad remains on performances rather than silverware.

“We haven’t really spoken about finals to be honest,” he added.

“We just need to be playing consistent football coming into the back end.

“The competition is so close, that if you’re playing good football at the end of the year it doesn’t really matter if you finish first or eighth, if you’re playing good football you can take it out.”