Stewart is off contract at the end of 2016 but has indicated he is hopeful of continuing in the top grade into his mid-thirties. Having copped a savage backlash over the decision not to table Stewart's brother, Glenn, a contract extension last year, Sea Eagles powerbrokers are keen to ensure there isn't a repeat in negotiations with the man dubbed "The Prince of Brookvale".

Stewart has overcome a series of horrific and potentially career-threatening injuries in recent years to emerge as the most prolific try-scorer at Brookvale Oval. In a recent interview, Stewart said he was capable of at least "another three or four years" in the NRL and would like to play on until the end of 2019.

"If I can get another three or four years, I can't see a problem with that," Stewart said last month. "My hamstrings have been the biggest hurdle the last few years, but I'm over that now and I'm fit."

Initially, the parties are seeking to extend the 30-year-old's stay on the northern beaches for an additional two years and then reassess how he is coping physically after that.

While both club and player are confident a deal will be reached, there are a number of obstacles. Manly are under salary cap strain following the retention of Daly Cherry-Evans on a "lifetime" deal worth $10 million.

Those pressures have been exacerbated by the recruitment of Nate Myles, Lewis Brown, Darcy Lussick and Api Koroisau, which will force several contracted players to be moved on. Hooker Matt Ballin has been tapped on the shoulder just three months after inking a new deal, while Feleti Mateo has been linked with a move to Catalans for 2016.

The fact the Sea Eagles have invested so much in Cherry-Evans, earmarked as the next skipper, also adds an interesting dynamic to negotiations, given he and Stewart have been central figures in a power struggle splitting the senior playing group.

The decision to open talks with Stewart before he is officially on the open market also clouds the future of Tom Trbojevic. The young gun recently signed a new deal which will keep him at the club until the end of 2017, with brother Jake doing likewise.

Tom has been earmarked as the long-term successor to Stewart and has never considered playing his football anywhere else. But if Stewart is locked into a new deal, the Mova Vale product may have to consider joining a club with a clearer pathway to the No.1 jersey.

If Stewart remains healthy and fulfils his ambition of playing on for a further four seasons, he will likely break a number of long-standing records. The man dubbed "Snake" already has 158 tries and, at his current strike rate, would break the mark of 180 set by Steve Menzies (Menzies' 29 tries and 69 appearances for the Northern Eagles aren't officially part of his Sea Eagles tallies).

Stewart, who scored another try in Manly's loss to North Queensland on Monday night, would also be a chance to break Cliff Lyons' record of 309 appearances for the club. Much will depend on how much officials are prepared to invest in a player of his age and his injury history.

Manly's chances of making the finals took a savage blow after losing to the Cowboys and the Sea Eagles will need to win their remaining games – beginning with Saturday's road trip to New Zealand – to have any chance of qualifying for their 11th consecutive play-off appearance.