Jed Stuart, son of NRL legend Ricky, scores on dream NRL debut

Amid whispers of nepotism and a long four-year wait for his debut, the son of an NRL legend quickly showed he belongs at the top level.

Ricky Stuart gave a stunning insight into what it all meant after his son Jed had a dream debut in the Canberra Raiders’ 16-12 victory over the Wests Tigers on Friday night.

Jed Stuart, 23, has been under an enormous shadow as he made his way in his young career.

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Not only is he the offspring of a Kangaroos, NSW Blues and Raiders legend, his dad Ricky is also the Canberra coach.

Named an emergency four times this season, Jed was finally handed his first NRL game by his emotional coach this week after strong form in the NSW Cup.

Watch Ricky Stuart discuss his son’s debut below

Jed Stuart warming up ahead of his NRL debut. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Quick to ward off any talk of nepotism, Ricky said earlier this week: “He’s worked really hard to get there, he’s actually had to work doubly hard — I’ve made it very hard on him.

“He’s earned his spot, let’s put it that way.”

The 404th player to make his debut for the Canberra club, Jed couldn’t have asked for a better start.

After Joseph Tapine opened the scoring in the 13th minute, Jed got his moment just five minutes later.

Kaeo Weekes’ sensational run gave the Raiders field position before the ball worked its way to centre Sebastian Kris on the next tackle.

Jed Stuart (right) with dad Ricky back in the day. Photo: Supplied

Jed celebrates a try in the perfect start to his NRL debut. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Just as Kris was tackled, he managed to get a flick pass to Stuart and the red-headed winger did the rest to touch down in front of friends and family.

“Kris very late pass, Stuart! Stuart is over in the corner!” Dan Ginnane said on Fox League.

“Jed Stuart scores on debut and the Stuart clan goes bonkers. Oh boy they waited four years for him to get a crack at first grade.

“They only had to wait 18 minutes to see him score.”

Michael Ennis added: “What a moment that is. Question marks about the flick pass, but the put down from Stuart was brilliant.

“That’s Canberra at their best. It started with Weekes and finished with Stuart, what a moment.”

The Raiders led 16-0 at halftime and withstood a second-half comeback from the Tigers, who had skipper Jarome Luai backing up from Origin just 48 hours earlier.

But much of the talk after the game was about the debut winger.

“You couldn’t have scripted this any better,” Yvonne Sampson said on Fox League.

Kevin Walter added: “It was brilliant. It’s an all-time memory now in the NRL.

“There’s father and son, what a way to start his NRL career, scoring a try.”

Englishman James Graham, who said his father’s proudest moment from his son’s long career was watching James’ debut, was stunned by what he saw.

“To give your son a debut shirt, you coach the side, that must be – it’ll never get better for a father son relationship,” he said.

“That is so cool to witness.”

Jed and Ricky embrace after the game. Photo: Fox Sports

In his post-match press conference, Ricky Stuart said it had been the hardest week of his coaching career.
“I appreciate how all the players supported him and there was a lot of pressure on him tonight,” he said.

“This week’s been the hardest week I’ve had since I’ve coached.

“From a father’s point of view, I didn’t want him to be man of the match, I just wanted him to hold his own.

“That’s all I wanted and he did that. The amount of times I’ve woken up at 3 o’clock in the morning with some real bad thoughts. I didn’t get any of those tonight so it was good.

“I’ll enjoy a beer with him tonight.”

Jarome Luai (centre) backed up for the Wests Tigers. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Remarkably, X account Random Stats Guy claimed Ricky and Jed both made their debut in round 16, 37 years apart, and both scored a try.

Pundits and fans alike were loving the moment on Friday night.

Roosters halfback Chad Townsend tweeted: “Great moment for Jed Stuart! Love to see it.”

NRL journalist Brad Walter wrote: ”What a night for Jed Stuart. His dad is one of the great players, coaches and people in our game and Jed has had a debut to remember.”

One fan watching on joked: “BREAKING: Ricky Stuart’s key halftime message – any of you who don’t pass the ball to Jed WON’T be getting any Maccas on the way home!”

Despite tries in the 48th and 53rd minutes for the Tigers, the home side hung on to consolidate second place on the NRL ladder.

Originally published as Jed Stuart, son of NRL legend Ricky, scores on dream NRL debut