‘Shot of whiskey': How Ricky Stuart will cope with son's Canberra debut
Whenever Ricky Stuart hands one of his players a debut, he feels like a proud dad.
So you can only imagine how he feels after giving his actual son, Jed, the chance to become Raider #404 against Wests Tigers at Campbelltown on Friday.
'That's probably a good description because I like to get close to all of my players,' Stuart said 'This one is for real.'
It's a debut Stuart said Jed has had to work 'doubly hard' for. Concerned about perceptions of nepotism, the younger Stuart had to play 57 NSW Cup games before getting the call-up for first grade. Even then, it only happened after the senior Canberra players assured the coach that the young winger was up to the challenge.
'There was no way it was going to be an easy ride for him, it was always going to be a disadvantage for him [being my son], to be honest,' Stuart said.
'It's good for him. I feel like I've got a good understanding of when a player is ready to play NRL and this is a good opportunity for Jed to start developing an NRL career and see where he gets to.'
Stuart has always worn his heart on his sleeve. Watching him prowling along the sidelines, riding every play like his life depended on it, can be as entertaining as the action unfolding on the field.
When veteran prop Josh Papalii recently broke the Raiders record for first-grade appearances, Stuart had to hold back the tears. So how will he fare when Jed runs out?
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
Billy Slater urged to make Reece Walsh call after Broncos fullback stars in comeback win
Reece Walsh has put Maroons coach Billy Slater on notice after a scintillating performance on Sunday, leading the Broncos to a stunning 34-28 comeback win over Cronulla. The 22-year-old, renowned for his flashy style, produced some moments of magic as well as some grit and toughness as the Broncos turned around a 28-12 deficit to get their season back on track. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. Walsh finished with two try assists, three linebreak assists, a linebreak, five tackle busts and 178m in a performance sure to have got Slater's attention. 'He's a competitor, and I guess we all expect Reecey to come up with those things, just with what he's able to do,' Michael Maguire said after the Broncos' win on Sunday. 'He just keeps competing.' And with Slater looking forward to Game 3, many have suggested he may axe struggling fullback Kalyn Ponga and either look to Walsh or switch Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to fullback. In Game 1, the Knights superstar had 21 runs for 163 metres, and it was even more dire in Game 2 as he registered just eight runs for 77 metres, as well as missing four tackles and making two errors. His Game 2 horror show led former Broncos and Warriors player Denan Kemp to suggest Slater should drop him for the Origin decider. 'He dropped three bombs. He got bounced off by Cleary and got lucky there was an obstruction,' Kemp said on the Bloke in a Bar podcast on Thursday 'I think Billy has to have a real hard look at that fullback position. I think KP (Ponga) is just out of form. 'It's tough but if you've got that many errors, it's just a real question we (Queensland) have to ask ourselves. We need someone who's bringing energy around the ruck, making their catches and tackles. It's definitely a question that I think Billy should be considering because we can't afford to go into Game 3 and have that many dropped balls. We'll lose by 30-plus.' And after Sunday's incredible performance, Slater appears to have been handed the perfect solution to his problem in the form of Walsh. The fullback has played five Origin games and if not being out with a knee injury early in the season, many believe he would have been Slater's preferred No.1. Walsh's knee is still far from right with the fullback seen limping on several occasions during the win. However, the 22-year-old says it is getting better each week. 'It's good, I was trying to hide it (laughs),' Walsh said of his knee. 'It's a work in progress. I am still trying to get used to the feel of it.' And after an incredible showing on Sunday fans have called for Slater to pick him at fullback for the State of Origin decider, declaring even a one-legged Walsh is their best chance at reclaiming the Origin shield. 'I know he's not 100% but there's a case for Reece Walsh playing FB for QLD, moving Ponga to 14?' one fan wrote. 'Surely Reece Walsh has to be picked for Origin III. A one-legged Walsh is better than Ponga,' another said. 'Queensland can't go without Reece Walsh in SOO III when he's in this sort of form. It's irresistible. Just got to decide whether Kalyn Ponga can be afforded on the bench alongside Kurt Mann and two other forwards,' a third added. While a fourth said: 'Walsh is back!'. NSW will have a home-ground advantage for the series decider, which will take place at Sydney's Accor Stadium on Wednesday, July 9.
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Knights star hospitalised with lacerated kidney
Newcastle star Fletcher Sharpe has been diagnosed with a lacerated kidney after being admitted to hospital in Perth. Sharpe reported abdominal soreness after suffering a concussion in the Knights' 26-20 win over the Dolphins in Perth on Saturday. It is understood he suffered the damage in the same tackle as the concussion, when his body hit the ground hard when brought down from behind. The five-eighth has since been taken to hospital, and is set to remain in Western Australia for several days as he deals with the issue. Sharpe would already have missed Friday night's clash with Canberra due to concussion issues. The Knights have a bye the following week. Newcastle do not yet have a timeline on how much longer they expect the 21-year-old to miss. Sharpe has been one of Newcastle's best threats this year, scoring 11 tries and setting up another three in a side that has the worst attacking record in the NRL. Newcastle have several back-up options in the halves, with Tyson Gamble available again and Jackson Hastings having returned to the NRL against Manly this month. Elsewhere, there are fears Dolphins winger Jack Bostock suffered a dreaded ACL rupture in the Perth match. The potentially season-ending injury comes just a week after the flyer scored four tries against North Queensland last Saturday. The Warriors are also waiting on scans on halfback Luke Metcalf's quad and winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak's ankle after their loss to Penrith. Watene-Zelezniak is expected to be sidelined for some time with a syndesmosis injury, but the fourth-placed club hold some hope that Metcalf's is not serious. Newcastle star Fletcher Sharpe has been diagnosed with a lacerated kidney after being admitted to hospital in Perth. Sharpe reported abdominal soreness after suffering a concussion in the Knights' 26-20 win over the Dolphins in Perth on Saturday. It is understood he suffered the damage in the same tackle as the concussion, when his body hit the ground hard when brought down from behind. The five-eighth has since been taken to hospital, and is set to remain in Western Australia for several days as he deals with the issue. Sharpe would already have missed Friday night's clash with Canberra due to concussion issues. The Knights have a bye the following week. Newcastle do not yet have a timeline on how much longer they expect the 21-year-old to miss. Sharpe has been one of Newcastle's best threats this year, scoring 11 tries and setting up another three in a side that has the worst attacking record in the NRL. Newcastle have several back-up options in the halves, with Tyson Gamble available again and Jackson Hastings having returned to the NRL against Manly this month. Elsewhere, there are fears Dolphins winger Jack Bostock suffered a dreaded ACL rupture in the Perth match. The potentially season-ending injury comes just a week after the flyer scored four tries against North Queensland last Saturday. The Warriors are also waiting on scans on halfback Luke Metcalf's quad and winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak's ankle after their loss to Penrith. Watene-Zelezniak is expected to be sidelined for some time with a syndesmosis injury, but the fourth-placed club hold some hope that Metcalf's is not serious. Newcastle star Fletcher Sharpe has been diagnosed with a lacerated kidney after being admitted to hospital in Perth. Sharpe reported abdominal soreness after suffering a concussion in the Knights' 26-20 win over the Dolphins in Perth on Saturday. It is understood he suffered the damage in the same tackle as the concussion, when his body hit the ground hard when brought down from behind. The five-eighth has since been taken to hospital, and is set to remain in Western Australia for several days as he deals with the issue. Sharpe would already have missed Friday night's clash with Canberra due to concussion issues. The Knights have a bye the following week. Newcastle do not yet have a timeline on how much longer they expect the 21-year-old to miss. Sharpe has been one of Newcastle's best threats this year, scoring 11 tries and setting up another three in a side that has the worst attacking record in the NRL. Newcastle have several back-up options in the halves, with Tyson Gamble available again and Jackson Hastings having returned to the NRL against Manly this month. Elsewhere, there are fears Dolphins winger Jack Bostock suffered a dreaded ACL rupture in the Perth match. The potentially season-ending injury comes just a week after the flyer scored four tries against North Queensland last Saturday. The Warriors are also waiting on scans on halfback Luke Metcalf's quad and winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak's ankle after their loss to Penrith. Watene-Zelezniak is expected to be sidelined for some time with a syndesmosis injury, but the fourth-placed club hold some hope that Metcalf's is not serious.
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Roosters show their might by flogging Cowboys
The Sydney Roosters have reaffirmed their status as genuine NRL final threats, putting on a 42-8 flogging of North Queensland at Allianz Stadium. In one of their most dominant performances of the season, the Roosters ran in five second-half tries on the hapless Cowboys to go seventh on the ladder. It was only three-and-a-half months ago that the Roosters conceded 50 points to Brisbane in round one, then dropped four of their first five games. But this is suddenly a very different Roosters outfit. Sunday's win was their biggest of 2025, and the second half was close to their most impressive. The only concerns were injuries to second-rower Siua Wong and five-eighth Sandon Smith, both picking up knee issues. But this is a Roosters squad whose depth seemingly has no end. James Tedesco is having close to his best season in the No.1 jersey, but it is the club's unsung heroes who also have them flying. Salesi Foketi was great filling in for Victor Radley at lock on Sunday, sending Lindsay Collins over for the first try with a perfect short ball. The No.13 had a role in another during the Roosters' second-half run, with he and Angus Crichton throwing offloads before Sandon Smith kicked for Tedesco to score. Bench hooker Benaiah Ioelu starred in his fourth NRL game, kicking twice in the lead-up to tries. One came when a 40-20 attempt bounced back into the hands of Robert Toia before Connor Watson crossed, and another was a cross-field effort for Daniel Tupou. Billy Smith scored a double in his first full season uninterrupted by injury, while Naufahu Whyte ran 173 metres and is close to the NRL's most improved player. Mark Nawaqanitawase also scored twice and is proving a threat on the right wing, with one coming after an incredible tap-back from rising halfback Hugo Savala. And then there is Tedesco, who Billy Slater claimed in Nine's commentary on Sunday was playing better than he'd ever seen him. The Roosters No.1 scored his try, made a bust before Billy Smith's first, then helped the Tri-colours on the attack for the centre's second. But his most crucial play was a late one-on-one strip on John Bateman just before halftime, with the Cowboys on the attack and fighting to make it 18-10. In contrast, the past month has been a nightmare for the Cowboys, after they were beaten 58-4 by the Dolphins last week. Todd Payten's men are now 12th on the ladder, with just one win since they demolished Gold Coast at Magic Round. They have spent large chunks of time since then without Jason Taumalolo, and also missed State of Origin forwards Reuben Cotter and Reece Robson on Sunday. But things must turn around dramatically if they are to go anywhere near replicating last season's fifth-placed finish. The Sydney Roosters have reaffirmed their status as genuine NRL final threats, putting on a 42-8 flogging of North Queensland at Allianz Stadium. In one of their most dominant performances of the season, the Roosters ran in five second-half tries on the hapless Cowboys to go seventh on the ladder. It was only three-and-a-half months ago that the Roosters conceded 50 points to Brisbane in round one, then dropped four of their first five games. But this is suddenly a very different Roosters outfit. Sunday's win was their biggest of 2025, and the second half was close to their most impressive. The only concerns were injuries to second-rower Siua Wong and five-eighth Sandon Smith, both picking up knee issues. But this is a Roosters squad whose depth seemingly has no end. James Tedesco is having close to his best season in the No.1 jersey, but it is the club's unsung heroes who also have them flying. Salesi Foketi was great filling in for Victor Radley at lock on Sunday, sending Lindsay Collins over for the first try with a perfect short ball. The No.13 had a role in another during the Roosters' second-half run, with he and Angus Crichton throwing offloads before Sandon Smith kicked for Tedesco to score. Bench hooker Benaiah Ioelu starred in his fourth NRL game, kicking twice in the lead-up to tries. One came when a 40-20 attempt bounced back into the hands of Robert Toia before Connor Watson crossed, and another was a cross-field effort for Daniel Tupou. Billy Smith scored a double in his first full season uninterrupted by injury, while Naufahu Whyte ran 173 metres and is close to the NRL's most improved player. Mark Nawaqanitawase also scored twice and is proving a threat on the right wing, with one coming after an incredible tap-back from rising halfback Hugo Savala. And then there is Tedesco, who Billy Slater claimed in Nine's commentary on Sunday was playing better than he'd ever seen him. The Roosters No.1 scored his try, made a bust before Billy Smith's first, then helped the Tri-colours on the attack for the centre's second. But his most crucial play was a late one-on-one strip on John Bateman just before halftime, with the Cowboys on the attack and fighting to make it 18-10. In contrast, the past month has been a nightmare for the Cowboys, after they were beaten 58-4 by the Dolphins last week. Todd Payten's men are now 12th on the ladder, with just one win since they demolished Gold Coast at Magic Round. They have spent large chunks of time since then without Jason Taumalolo, and also missed State of Origin forwards Reuben Cotter and Reece Robson on Sunday. But things must turn around dramatically if they are to go anywhere near replicating last season's fifth-placed finish. The Sydney Roosters have reaffirmed their status as genuine NRL final threats, putting on a 42-8 flogging of North Queensland at Allianz Stadium. In one of their most dominant performances of the season, the Roosters ran in five second-half tries on the hapless Cowboys to go seventh on the ladder. It was only three-and-a-half months ago that the Roosters conceded 50 points to Brisbane in round one, then dropped four of their first five games. But this is suddenly a very different Roosters outfit. Sunday's win was their biggest of 2025, and the second half was close to their most impressive. The only concerns were injuries to second-rower Siua Wong and five-eighth Sandon Smith, both picking up knee issues. But this is a Roosters squad whose depth seemingly has no end. James Tedesco is having close to his best season in the No.1 jersey, but it is the club's unsung heroes who also have them flying. Salesi Foketi was great filling in for Victor Radley at lock on Sunday, sending Lindsay Collins over for the first try with a perfect short ball. The No.13 had a role in another during the Roosters' second-half run, with he and Angus Crichton throwing offloads before Sandon Smith kicked for Tedesco to score. Bench hooker Benaiah Ioelu starred in his fourth NRL game, kicking twice in the lead-up to tries. One came when a 40-20 attempt bounced back into the hands of Robert Toia before Connor Watson crossed, and another was a cross-field effort for Daniel Tupou. Billy Smith scored a double in his first full season uninterrupted by injury, while Naufahu Whyte ran 173 metres and is close to the NRL's most improved player. Mark Nawaqanitawase also scored twice and is proving a threat on the right wing, with one coming after an incredible tap-back from rising halfback Hugo Savala. And then there is Tedesco, who Billy Slater claimed in Nine's commentary on Sunday was playing better than he'd ever seen him. The Roosters No.1 scored his try, made a bust before Billy Smith's first, then helped the Tri-colours on the attack for the centre's second. But his most crucial play was a late one-on-one strip on John Bateman just before halftime, with the Cowboys on the attack and fighting to make it 18-10. In contrast, the past month has been a nightmare for the Cowboys, after they were beaten 58-4 by the Dolphins last week. Todd Payten's men are now 12th on the ladder, with just one win since they demolished Gold Coast at Magic Round. They have spent large chunks of time since then without Jason Taumalolo, and also missed State of Origin forwards Reuben Cotter and Reece Robson on Sunday. But things must turn around dramatically if they are to go anywhere near replicating last season's fifth-placed finish.
