Departing back-rower Glenn Stewart says Manly's veteran core is not trying to take sole responsibility for the NRL club's famed culture, and insists the young stars can carry on their legacy.
Stewart was responding to reports he and other members of Manly's senior playing group were upset that they weren't being given enough respect for having built the renowned tough culture which has helped carry the team to the semi-finals for 10 consecutive years, and delivered two premiership wins.
The 30-year-old acknowledged the work of retired duo Steve Menzies and Ben Kennedy as well as fellow forwards Michael Monaghan and Brent Kite, who are at Warrington and Penrith respectively, for their roles in creating what now exists at the Sea Eagles.
"Despite what everyone else is saying about the culture and (about) myself and a couple of the boys - we don't think we've built this culture," Stewart told the club's website after Manly were knocked out of the finals race by Canterbury on Saturday.
"It's like a baton has been handed to us.
"And while the club went through some tough times about ten years ago I think blokes like Ben Kennedy, Steve Menzies, Michael Monaghan, Brent Kite all shared their part in the culture we've got today.
"I think that's why it's been so good. None of us think we are bigger than the culture.
"That's one thing that has been played out and has annoyed us - that we think we are (the ones who built the culture) and we don't, we just think we're part of it.
"And that's what was showed out there tonight."
Stewart's exit from the club for South Sydney next year is behind much of the angst of a playing group which has appeared divided throughout this season.
The veteran core, which includes the former representative back-rower's brother Brett, second-rower Anthony Watmough and New Zealand international Steve Matai, are said to be the most upset about the decision.
Watmough reportedly has a contract offer with Parramatta which could be signed off within a week, while Brett Stewart and Matai have asked for releases and are understood to have garnered interest from Canberra, Canterbury and the Warriors in particular.
Whatever happens to them beyond this off-season, Glenn Stewart is confident the young players at Manly are ready to take that baton.
"There's a bit of a changing of the guard and I think a lot of these young blokes have bought into that," he said.
"You saw it with the Cowboys (against the Sydney Roosters), they were down 30-0 (before mounting a comeback) and things like that we've been able to do year in year out.
"We might be down, but we keep coming at them. And while ever you're doing that you're still a chance."
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