BREAKING NEWS: Excitement Hit Great Manly Sea Eagles as, Legend Brett Stewart Returns as Co-Owner In a monumental announcement, Manly Sea Eagles which are owned by the Penn Family, with Rick Penn has officially declared that Brett Stewart the legendary starting center and long-time face of the franchise, will return to the organization in 2026 as……

In a move that has sent ripples of excitement through the NRL community and Sea Eagles supporters worldwide, club legend Brett Stewart is set to return to the Manly organization in 2026 — not as a player, but as a co-owner and senior advisor. The Penn family, who have steered the club in recent years under Rick Penn’s stewardship, announced the high-profile appointment today, describing it as a “homecoming that honours the past and accelerates our future.”

“Brett is Manly,” Rick Penn said in a statement released alongside the club’s announcement. “His name is synonymous with our colours, our history and our fighting spirit. Bringing him into the ownership group is about reconnecting with the heart of the club, bringing invaluable experience and a fierce commitment to the Sea Eagles’ long-term success.”

Stewart — widely respected for his try-scoring prowess, steely competitiveness and loyalty to the black and white — is being welcomed back after years away from the frontline of rugby league. The announcement positions him as a co-owner with a remit that spans player welfare, community engagement and talent pathways, while also giving him a visible role in strategic and cultural decisions at Lottoland.

“I’ve always been a Manly man,” Stewart said in the statement attributed to him in the release. “This club gave me memories and mates for life. To be able to come home and help shape the next generation of Sea Eagles is a real honour. My focus will be on ensuring the culture, the care for our players and our connection to the community stays where it belongs — at the centre of everything we do.”

Club insiders say the decision emerged from months of quiet conversations between Stewart and the Penn family. Those talks reportedly covered a broad spectrum — from salary cap realities and recruitment strategies to mental health support, junior pathways and commemorating the club’s history. Sources close to the negotiations say both sides saw a strategic advantage in pairing Stewart’s credibility and grassroots connections with the Penn family’s commercial and governance expertise.

For fans who grew up watching Stewart rocket down the wing and capping his career with memorable playoff moments, the appointment is emotional as much as it is strategic. Social feeds lit up within minutes of the announcement, with banners and social posts flooding in from Manly supporters, past team-mates and rival fans offering congratulatory messages for a reunion many saw coming.

Former teammates were quick to praise the move. “There’s no one better to bridge the old and new at Manly,” an ex-Sea Eagle said. “Brett’s competitive edge on the field matched with his understanding of the club will bring a lot.” Club veterans emphasize that Stewart’s return will also serve as a powerful signal to current players that the club values loyalty, accountability and a direct line to its storied past.

Analysts note the appointment is a savvy blend of sentiment and substance. As the NRL evolves — with increasing commercial pressures, youth development challenges and public scrutiny over player wellbeing — clubs are looking for authentic voices who can ground decision-making in lived experience. Stewart, who has navigated the highs and lows of professional rugby league, fits that bill.

Rick Penn framed the new ownership structure as a long-term investment in culture. “It’s not just about trophies or balance sheets,” Penn said. “It’s about sustaining a club identity, investing in young talent and giving our players the best environment to thrive. Brett’s presence will help anchor those efforts.”

Operationally, Stewart is expected to split time between boardroom meetings and boots-on-the-ground work at training and community events. His role will reportedly include mentoring young outside backs, helping to shape community outreach programs and advising on player support systems — areas where he’s already earned a reputation off the field.

The announcement also reopens conversations about the athletic pipeline on Sydney’s northern beaches. With junior rugby growing and competition for young talent fierce, Stewart’s profile could attract promising juniors to the Sea Eagles and strengthen development ties with local clubs and schools.

Critics caution the move is largely symbolic and point out that hands-on change requires money, staffing, and proven systems. “Heart and history are important, but they have to be matched with robust management,” one commentator observed. The Penn family and Stewart will face scrutiny from fans and pundits alike if on-field performance and governance don’t follow the feel-good headlines.

Still, for now, the mood in Manly is buoyant. Club merchandise sellers report a spike in orders the day of the announcement; social clubs are planning watch parties to celebrate the 2026 homecoming; and long-time members say the arrival of Stewart adds a new chapter to Manly’s enduring story.

As the Sea Eagles prepare for 2026, expectations will be high. Whether Stewart’s return as co-owner can translate into sustainable on-field success remains to be seen — but the rallying cry is clear: Manly has brought one of its own back into the fold, and supporters are ready to soar.