 Sea Eagles star player Brett Stewart was accused of a sexual assault with a 17-year-old girl, this coming the same day after Manly's infamous season launch on 6 March, where it was believed Stewart got drunk.The NRL suspended Stewart until Round 5 of the competition, but he was still allowed to train with the club.As a result, the club started their premiership defence poorly, with four consecutive losses seeing them at last place after round four.