The NRL will not stand in the way of Manly selecting fullback Brett Stewart for the reigning premier's season-opener on Saturday despite sexual assault allegations against him.
Stewart returned to training with his teammates yesterday and Manly chief executive Grant Mayer said he would be considered for selection when the team to face the Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium is announced today, provided he is in the right mental state.
The Sea Eagles are facing calls to stand Stewart down while police investigate a 17-year-old girl's claim that he sexually assaulted her on Friday night, following the club's season launch at the Manly Wharf Hotel.
Stewart, who denies the allegation, has not been charged.
The NRL said yesterday it would not stop Stewart from playing, despite on Saturday pulling its $1.5million advertising campaign which featured him prominently.
''If it was a clearly established fact that a player had committed a sexual assault then he would not be playing,'' NRL boss David Gallop said.
''If the club did not take that position then we would, but we are not dealing with that situation.
''The police are still investigating this matter, that decision needs to be monitored by Manly as more information comes to light.''
The NRL has re-edited its commercial to remove Stewart and the new ads will be aired later this week.
DNA swabs from Stewart are being tested by police with the results not expected until later this week.
''At this stage it is still an allegation. We will wait and see where the investigation goes,'' Mayer said.
''Our advice at the moment is that we have to look at the case as it stands.
''It's an allegation only and if Brett is healthy and is fit to play he will be available for selection.''
Stewart's legal counsel Geoff Bellew pointed out there were precedents for Stewart's selection because Wests Tigers forward Anthony Laffranchi and Warriors winger Michael Crockett continued to play while the subject of similar allegations. Both were subsequently cleared.
Stewart appeared relaxed and in reasonable spirits at training at the club's Narrabeen training base but Mayer said the Test and NSW player was understandably upset about the allegation.
''There is no doubt that for his whole family it has been a tough time,'' Mayer said.
''There's a lot of media scrutiny justifiably around the issue but again he is a footballer and if he is there to be selected for Saturday's game and is fit I'm sure he'll make himself available.''
Mayer, who met with the club's staff and players prior to training, described the controversy since Friday as a ''body blow'' for the club.
''It's unbelievably disappointing on a personal front but also on a professional front,'' he said.
''We have come back to defend an NRL premiership, we are also now world club champions so ordinarily you'd be celebrating those two feats.
''To walk into a season five days out and this happens, it's obviously a body blow.''
Manly coach Des Hasler backed his players to be able to set aside the off-field concerns this week as they prepared to start their season against a new-look Bulldogs.
Meanwhile, the Rugby League Players Association said in a statement yesterday that the alcohol culture in rugby league was a reflection on society in general.
''Society has a drinking problem, that at times is accentuated through sport,'' RLPA managing director Matt Rodwell said.
''It is not an isolated NRL player issue. It is appropriate for the whole of rugby league to take a good hard look at itself and learn about how we all help or hinder our young players to become responsible men in regards to their alcohol consumption.'' AAP
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