Manly lose match to Storm and Glenn Stewart to injury in big blow for NSW Blues

FIRST Greg Bird, now Glenn Stewart. NSW's back-row stocks are taking a battering leading into the State of Origin decider.

FIRST Greg Bird, now Glenn Stewart. NSW's back-row stocks are taking a battering leading into the State of Origin decider.

Bird injured a pectoral muscle over the weekend and now Manly's Glenn Stewart looks certain to miss Origin III after his left leg crumbled under a tackle during Monday night's loss to Melbourne at Brookvale Oval.

Stewart was assisted from the field by two trainers approaching half-time. He has medial ligament damage and will be out for up to four weeks.

Concerned NSW coach Ricky Stuart rang Manly football manager Steve Gigg Monday night to check on the seriousness of Stewart's injury and has already begun working on contingency plans.

GALLERY: MANLY V MELBOURNE

With the NSW squad to be named on Sunday for the July 4 decider in Brisbane, it is unlikely Stuart will risk picking Stewart.

"It's a medial ligament problem," Manly coach Geoff Toovey said.

"We won't know any more until he is assessed (today)."

Losing Stewart would be an enormous blow for NSW, who are desperately attempting to halt the Queensland juggernaut.

NSW back-row contenders would include St George Illawarra's Beau Scott and Melbourne's Ryan Hoffman, who was strong for the Storm.

Big Tony Williams, who played off the bench in Origin I, has a back injury and is still another two weeks from returning.

See how we covered the game at our match centre

Stewart's leg buckled under a tackle from Melbourne forward Rory Kostjasyn in the 35th minute. Kostjasyn immediately signalled to the Manly medical staff for attention.

Ironically, Stewart missed three games after the corresponding match at Brookvale last year when he was suspended for fighting.

Hoffman, who last played Origin in 2008, was exceptional for the Storm and Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy said he should be heavily considered for the Blues.

"If Glenn does miss out, I don't think you would find anyone better than Ryan," Bellamy said. "He has been outstanding for us over the last five or six weeks. He can play the 80 minutes, runs good lines, is very experienced and defends well."

The Origin injury drama overshadowed a courageous Melbourne win which keeps them six points clear on top of the premiership table.

Melbourne led 12-0 after 15 minutes but Manly scored three unanswered tries to be ahead 18-12 at the break.Just as Manly assumed control, Melbourne scored tries in the 50th minute (Bryan Norrie) and the 59th (Matt Duffie) to snatch back the momentum.

Sea Eagles centre Dean Whare scored on full-time but it wasn't enough against their fierce rivals.

"I thought we let in a couple of soft tries in the first half," Toovey said.

"We were the dominant side and could have led 18-0. We fell away in the second half.

"Melbourne are a good side. They push the boundaries all the time."

Storm captain Cam Smith, who turned 29 yesterday, moved into the halves for a while and was exceptional. Halfback Cooper Cronk also performed strongly.

"Sometimes a win like this can catapult your season," Smith said.

Bellamy was "happy and proud".

MELBOURNE 26 (M Duffie T Lowrie B Norrie C Smith tries C Smith 5 goals) beat MANLY 22 (D Cherry-Evans B Stewart J Taufua D Whare tries J Lyon 3 goals) at Brookvale Oval. Referee: Tony Archer, Jared Maxwell. Crowd: 12,106.

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