Stewart deserves to play in grand final, says Burgess In arm's way: Glenn Stewart was put on report for this tackle on Sam Burgess in the preliminary final on Friday night. Manly back-rower Glenn Stewart has an important backer in his corner as he looks to be cleared for next Sunday's grand final - the player who was felled by him, South Sydney's Sam Burgess. As Stewart sweats on the match review committee's viewing of his fourth-minute hit on Burgess in Friday's preliminary final, won 30-20 by Manly, the English forward hoped the Sea Eagles lock would be cleared. "I hope he plays next week," Burgess said. I would hate for him to miss a grand final. I can't comment on the incident, but I wouldn't wish it upon anyone to miss a grand final. For his sake, I hope he plays. For his sake, I hope he plays": Sam Burgess. Stewart struck Burgess on the chin and was placed on report. However a low-grade high tackle charge would still enable the 2011 Clive Churchill medallist to play in the decider. Stewart has no carry-over points while his loading from prior offences - stemming from his contrary conduct charge following the Donnybrookvale brawl in 2011 - were erased just weeks ago. Even a grade-two careless high tackle charge would allow him to play. Stewart said he expected to be cleared. "It was probably a little bit lazy, but I don't think I've got any carry-overs," the 29-year-old said. That's not normally in my game. Stewart's teammates also remained upbeat. "I think 'Gifty' will be fine," Justin Horo said. It was a bit of a lazy tackle, there wasn't much in it and Sammy got straight back up. He should be fine. Added George Rose: "Hopefully he's all right, he's a big part of this team. We need him. Stewart proved his value against the Rabbitohs by playing a crucial role in the Sea Eagles' comeback from 14-0 down. But he was also one of the main reasons they found themselves facing such a deficit. Stewart was guilty of conceding a penalty (from the tackle on Burgess), dropping off an attempted tackle of Souths five-eighth John Sutton and losing possession, which all led directly to points. "I was certainly disappointed with my start, and didn't make it easy for the side, but all the boys showed up for me, helped me out," Stewart said. That's what we've been doing for a while. Everyone shows up for each other. Not many people gave us much of a shot. [Coach Geoff Toovey] has done a great job to get all the boys together. It just shows. Not many people gave us a chance. But in saying that, we're not in the us versus them mentality. We're confident every week. We go in thinking that if we play well, we can beat the other team. For so long this season the Sea Eagles had been unable to beat one of their fellow top-four sides, and were considered vulnerable as a result. But victory over the Rabbitohs, following their round-25 win over premiers Melbourne, blew that perception out of the water.