Locked in: Raiders re-sign Ricky Stuart on historic deal

Canberra has received a massive boost on the eve of the NRL finals, with coach Ricky Stuart penning a big new deal.

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The Raiders have received a massive finals boost by re-signing Ricky Stuart until the end of 2023.

Off contract at the end of next season, Stuart can become the longest-serving coach in the proud club’s history with a new three-year extension.

Canberra confirmed Stuart’s new deal on Monday.

The deal will make Stuart a 10-year coach of the Raiders, pushing him past three-time premiership winner and nine-season coach Tim Sheens as Canberra’s longest serving clipboard carrier.

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Ricky Stuart has signed a new contract with the Raiders . Picture: Getty Images

Stuart arrived at the Raiders in 2014 and has taken the Green Machine to two top-four finishes in six seasons, but they also missed finals four times.

The former Canberra player was backed by the club despite a slow start to the 2017 season and was re-signed that year until the end of 2020. The 2018 season proved another tough one but Stuart repaid the faith in 2019 and has led an impressive turnaround, taking the Green Machine from 10th to fourth on the ladder.

Stuart made defence the priority in 2019 and transformed their points conceded tally from 12th in the competition to third, in the space of 12 months. The revival has made the Raiders title contenders again and they’ll face the Storm in Melbourne in a qualifying final on Saturday.

Canberra’s form has also put Stuart in the conversation for Dally M coach of the year honours.

The contract extension means Stuart will coach Canberra for a decade which will eclipse the tenure of Tim Sheens, who guided the club to three premierships between 1989 and 1994 when Stuart was the club’s halfback.

Originally published as Locked in: Raiders re-sign Ricky Stuart on historic deal