Tryscoring ''freak'' Brett Stewart returned from NRL exile to put defending premier Manly back on track with a spectacular hat-trick of tries at his beloved Brookvale Oval yesterday.
Stewart was the star of the show as the Sea Eagles chalked up their first win of the season with a 23-10 defeat of the Wests Tigers.
It was the Test star's first game of the season after he was banned by the NRL for four weeks for alcohol-related misbehaviour at the club's infamous season launch on March6.
His first appearance also came just five days after he pleaded not guilty in Manly Local Court to a charge of sexual assault against a 17-year-old girl.
He hasn't spoken publicly since the incident more than a month ago, but let his football do all the talking yesterday.
Proving he is the king of ''Brett-vale'' Oval, Stewart's hat-trick took him to 51 tries in 53 games at the ground.
The 24-year-old received a standing ovation by the crowd of 17,942 fans who chanted his name after his second try and waited after the final siren as the Test star led a lap of honour and high-fived fans along the fence.
Manly captain Matt Orford did his best to put the focus of the win on the entire squad, but couldn't hide his relief at having his best attacking weapon back alongside him.
''I love having Brett back, we read each other's game so well,'' Orford said. He is a freak of the game and a big part of what we do.''
Coach Des Hasler said Stewart ''did what he had to'' in his return.
''I thought he acquitted himself pretty well given the fact he has been out for four weeks,'' Hasler said.
''He is a quality player and one of the best fullbacks running around. He adds quality to any side he plays football for.''
The Test and NSW fullback soared high over childhood friend and opposing fullback Rhys Hanbury to catch an Orford bomb in the 24th minute for his first try and raised his arms in triumph.
''He would have been happy to score it,'' Hanbury said.
''I'm happy for him, [but] I would rather have the win.''
Three minutes later Stewart sliced through some feeble defence and sprinted 30m to score his second and give Manly a 16-4 lead.
Stewart clapped towards the crowd, punched the air and smiled for the first time when he completed his hat-trick.
The dynamic fullback's performance was just the injection Manly needed after Tigers winger Beau Ryan had scored in just the second minute with the visitors' first use of the football.
Manly eventually hit stride with a try to Glenn Hall in the 19th minute and from there the defending premier took control to end its run of four consecutive defeats to start 2009. It leapfrogs Cronulla into 15th place and leaves the Sharks sitting last on the ladder.
Tigers assistant coach Royce Simmons said his side failed to hold the ball long enough to put Manly under pressure. AAP
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