NRL great added to Raiders coach Ricky Stuart’s black list
Famously combative NRL coach Ricky Stuart has reportedly put a line through the name of a popular Fox League TV commentator.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Be careful, Corey Parker.
The NRL great has found himself public enemy No. 1 in Canberra after some brutal comments about the nation’s capital.
More seriously for the popular Fox League commentator is that News Corp now reports the animosity goes right to the top of the Raiders — all the way to coach Ricky Stuart’s office.
Watch every game of every round this NRL Telstra Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >
The Daily Telegraph reports Stuart has taken Parker “off the Christmas card list” over a column the Broncos legend penned for Code Sports.
Stuart was reportedly furious with Parker after reading the 41-year-old’s analysis of the ACT as a destination for NRL players.
It comes with the Raiders reportedly missing out on a number of recruitment targets recently, including David Fifita and Luciano Leilua.
In a blunt assessment, Parker wrote before the NRL season kicked off that he would not want to be playing for the Raiders this year.
He also got a bit personal.
“There’s no chance I’m going to the Raiders,” Parker wrote.
“The reality with Canberra is that nothing excites me about their spine. There are some classy players here and there; chiefly Joe Tapine, a premier middle forward in our game, while Josh Papali’i is a great front-rower but getting towards the back-end of his career.
“Matt Timoko has got some upside and there’s some youth coming through, but losing a player of Jack Wighton’s class is a huge blow in a modestly-talented side.
“So, I’m not rushing to get to Canberra. And to be blunt, it’s a club that needs obvious upside with the playing situation to hold appeal as a signing destination. Whenever a player looks at joining a new team, they and their family obviously look at the place first; where would we like to live? Canberra? No, not real keen.
“Especially not if you’re not a chance of winning something, and the Raiders don’t look a genuine factor this season for mine.”
The comments did not go unnoticed and the Raiders’ social media team summed it up perfectly with a cheeky post on Instagram.
“Great to see Canberra tourism ambassador Corey Parker in the house,” the Raiders wrote on the club’s official Instagram page with a photo of Parker watching on the sideline at GIO Stadium before the Raiders’ Round 2 win over the Tigers.
According to News Corp, there are suggestions Raiders players may even refuse interviews with Parker.
Parker says he has no issue with the Raiders.
“I saw a sign on the wall (in the Raiders dressing shed) that said, ‘F*** them’, and clearly that’s aimed at the media,” Parker said.
“There’s no issue with Ricky from my end.
“The Raiders put me on their Instagram the other day as their minister for defence.
“If Canberra are listening to my opinion, heaven help us.
“I wrote an article saying the Raiders weren’t a club I would go to for various reasons, but it’s nothing personal against Ricky or the club.
“If I see him and he brushes me, I guess that’s how it is, but if I was a player again, I would love to play under Ricky because I can see he cares about his players.”
Parker was referencing the brutal two-word message spotted in the Raiders dressing room after their Round 1 victory over the Knights.
NRL great Willie Mason loved seeing Stuart’s “f*** them” sign.
“They toughed it out, they were just typical Canberra, they go up there with their siege mentality,” Mason said.
“Ricky Stuart, you see what he had (written in the dressing room) - ‘f**k em’ - who has that in their dressing room?”
“Ricky Stuart does that’s who does, Ricky Stuart – that is so petty.”
Mason went on to say: “I know Ricky Stuart’s mentality and I love it and it’s hilarious how he is but that’s their mentality, that’s their DNA Canberra.
“F**K Em, everyone hates us, it’s us against the world and he drives that culture with those guys, you see it when they get out there.”
Originally published as NRL great added to Raiders coach Ricky Stuart’s black list
Panthers slammed over ‘pathetic’ move
The Penrith Panthers are the all-conquering NRL champions but the club has abandoned their bid to claim the one trophy that’s eluded them.
Panthers celebrations switch from party to formal mode
Penrith Panthers players have ditched their sunglasses and shorts for suits and ties as the premiership party switches to formal mode for their end-of-season presentation night. SEE THE PHOTOS.