Brett Stewart will make his first appearance for troubled NRL premiers Manly at the weekend after facing court on sexual assault charges he plans to fight.
The dumped face of rugby league looked taut and drawn when he appeared for the first time in Manly local court yesterday.
His case has been adjourned until May 26 to the Downing Centre local court.
Stewart has pleaded not guilty to offences relating to a 17-year-old girl, allegedly committed after a booze-fuelled season launch last month.
He is charged with having sexual intercourse without the consent of the teenager at North Manly on March 6.
He is also charged with assault with an act of indecency, namely that he ''forced his tongue into her mouth''.
Magistrate Margaret Quinn continued Stewart's bail and extended by three months an apprehended violence order banning him from approaching or contacting the girl. AAP
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