Former Manly Sea Eagles NRL star Brett Stewart charged with cocaine possession

Former Manly Sea Eagles player Brett Stewart has been charged with cocaine possession after being searched by police on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. 

The retired NRL champion was spotted by officers in the vicinity of Eustace St, near Manly Wharf, on March 10. 

Police became suspicious of the former Sea Eagles fullback which led to a search and the discovery of cocaine. 

The 38-year-old fullback will face Manly Local Court on April 19.

‘Just before 7pm (on March 10), officers from Northern Beaches Police Area Command were conducting patrols of the Manly area, when they spoke to a 38-year-old man,’ a NSW Police spokesman told the Daily Telegraph.

‘During a search of the man, they allegedly located cocaine,’ the spokesman said.

Stewart had moved into the coaching ranks which could be in jeopardy if he is found guilty of cocaine possession 

Stewart, known as ‘The Prince of Brookvale,’ played 233 games for the Sea Eagles between 2003 and 2016, winning two premierships and electrifying crowds with his try-scoring ability. 

Stewart also earned the nickname Snake because he is a a type 1 diabetic and requires a bag of lollies nearby at all times. 

He was also selected to play eight State of Origin games for NSW between 2007 and 2012. 

After retiring, he split his time between Sydney and Melbourne, where he opened a Japanese restaurant. In 2019, he returned to the Sea Eagles in a coaching role.

The police did not reveal the weight of cocaine they will allege Stewart had possession of, but it would have been a relatively small amount as possession charges relate to less than three grams of cocaine. 

If Stewart pleads not guilty, the substance will be sent for testing.