Fairfax Media understands he was drinking at the Hotel Steyne in Manly on Sunday night. The 29-year-old starred for the Sea Eagles in their 26-21 win to North Queensland on Friday night.

Stewart was pulled over at a random breath test on Pittwater Road at Warriewood on Monday morning. Police said the Balgowlah man was arrested and charged with low-range drink driving.

He was arrested and taken to Mona Vale police station about 10am. Stewart allegedly returned a blood-alcohol level of 0.079.

He was released on bail and is expected to appear before Manly Local Court on May 7.

"I had a few drinks last night. I went home, went to bed and got up this morning. I thought I was fine and headed off for some breakfast. I got pulled over and I blew low range," Stewart told News Corp as he left the police station.

"I'm really disappointed this has happened. I had no idea I was over the limit.

"There's no way I would have got behind the wheel if I thought there was a problem."

The Sea Eagles said in a statement that Stewart had failed the test "on the way to a gathering with friends".

Stewart, who played for Australia in 2007, was arrested in 2013 but not charged after a fight with a 21-year-old. It was alleged that Stewart was abused by a patron at The Shark Bar on Manly Corso last January.

He was stood down in 2009 after being charged with the sexual assault of a 17-year-old. Stewart, who was the face of the NRL’s campaign that season, was found not gulity. He denied the allegations that he twice tongue-kissed and inappropriately touched the teen on his way home from a boozy Manly season launch function.