NRL coaching clipboard: Ricky Stuart lifts the hood on the Green Machine in 2024

Canberra coach Ricky Stuart opens up to PAUL CRAWLEY on Jack Wighton’s departure, how the Raiders plan to fill that gap and the salary cap question he cannot honestly answer.

Canberra coach Ricky Stuart talks departures, arrivals, expectations and makes salary cap insinuations in a wide-ranging question and answer session with Paul Crawley.

PAUL CRAWLEY:Jack Wighton has gone. Jarrod Croker has retired. Does it feel like it’s the start of a new era at the Raiders this pre-season with a lot of youngsters pushing to become regular NRL players?

Ricky Stuart: We are definitely transitioning into a new era, I am excited about the opportunities that this will present. We have recruited some of the best junior players across the country and in conjunction with my coaching staff we have the opportunity and time to develop these young men into the next group of Raiders.

PC:Who fills Jack’s boots at five-eighth? Who is competing for the No.6 jumper?

RS: Kaeo Weekes, Ethan Strange.

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart. Picture: Getty Images

PC:Tell us about Kaeo Weekes. A young bloke with obvious talent but limited experience. What are fair expectations for him in 2024?

RS:Kaeo is an NRL player, he has speed, a good kicking game and really good fundamentals. He will get an opportunity and has settled into Canberra and our pre-season very well.

PC:What about Ethan Strange. He was a standout in the NSW under-19s who got his NRL debut against the Storm late in the season playing centres but he grew up playing five-eighth. Is he in the mix to play six or does he stay in the centres from an NRL perspective at this point of his development?

RS: Ethan will have a successful career as an NRL player, he will be given every opportunity to push his claims for an NRL spot this season. He has had a taste and knows what he needs to work on. He is a natural footballer with toughness and is a competitor. He can play six or centre.

PC:Was it a conscious decision not to go out and pay overs to try and bring in an experienced five-eighth to replace Jack and instead invest in youth?

RS:Yes, it was a conscious decision. In saying this though it is hard to buy a marquee player in a certain position if he is not there to buy. Some of the youth we have competing for NRL spots may be six-to-12 months early but you have to balance trust and also understand that if you buy over top of them you might lose one of them. Every young player thinks he is ready, I always ask my young players to trust me in knowing when I think he is ready to not only handle NRL but play well. We are a development club that provides opportunities for young players that want to work hard.

Jack Wighton was placed on report in his final game for the Raiders. Picture: Getty Images

PC:Were you disappointed Jack didn’t stay? After the offer the Raiders made Jack – which was reported to be around $1.1 million a season, then you read what he supposedly accepted to move to Souths which was around the 800 mark. Do you have faith in the salary cap?

RS: I can’t answer this honestly mate. What I can say is that my relationship with a lot of the boys is more than just their coach. Jack, Mon and the children are happy, which is enough for me.

PC:Do you think there is enough reward for development clubs like the Raiders. Is the system fair?

RS: I think it is an area the NRL could focus on and potentially reward clubs for developing players. I believe in this rather than salary cap relief to poach Rugby Union players.

It is what we do and is a big part of our DNA as a Club.

The salary cap does not spread talent evenly enough.

PC:The fact you’ve lost Jack also adds to the responsibility on Jamal Fogarty. He had a good season last year but copped a lot of flak after that extra time finals loss against the Knights for not taking control. He wouldn’t be human if that didn’t affect him. How did you see it and was the criticism justified, does he need to improve that part of his game?

RS: Jamal is a very good NRL player and a big part of our club moving forward. He will learn from those experiences and be a better player as a result. We love having Jamal at our club and what he brings to the team and community.

Jamal Fogarty will carry a heavier playmaker load in 2024. Picture: Getty Images

PC:Does the lack of respect for the Raiders piss you off because here’s another example of it. Even though you finished ahead of star studded rosters like Souths, Parra, the Cowboys and Manly last season to make the top eight. Now the bookies and a lot of the commentary this pre-season is that the Raiders are the most likely team to drop out of the eight in 2024 because you don’t have the star power in the key positions. Is it a justified concern?

RS: If those comments came from a person I respect and I thought had an opinion that was valued I would happily call him and take his guidance. I have yet to make one of those calls.

PC:You’ve had a lot of success with English recruits over the years. Now you’ve bought another to the Raiders in Morgan Smithies. Tell us about him?

RS: From my conversations with him he seems like a real good bloke who is hungry. He is a hardworking, tough young man like all the Pommies I have coached. He will fit in with our boys and culture nicely and is a big part of our future.

PC:The fullback position. Seb Kris did a good job there last year. Jordan Rapana can obviously play there. What about Xavier Savage. What happened to Xavier last year and is he in the frame for fullback?

RS: Xavier needs a big off season. He knows that and if he is prepared to work hard and listen to our coaches he will fulfil his potential.

Canberra youngster Chevy Stewart. Picture: Canberra Raiders

PC: Chevy Stewart is another young fella with a lot of potential. He was playing fullback in NSW Cup last year ahead of Xavier. Do you expect him to be competing to play NRL in 2024?

RS: Chevy is progressing well and is well and truly in the mix to play NRL this season.

PC:What about the fight for the number nine. You’ve re-signed Danny Levi and Adrian Trevilyan. There’s Zac Woolford and Tom Starling. How do you see that panning out?

RS: We have good depth in the number nine position. All those hookers mentioned have different skills they bring to the team, I have confidence in all four of them to play NRL.

PC:Is Woolford staying?

RS: Yes.

PC: You’ve got some good players fighting it out for the centre spots. What is the challenge for Matt Timoko this year? He’s as dangerous as any centre in the game. But does he have to challenge himself to go looking for more opportunities?

RS: I am very comfortable with Matty at centre. He is developing into a reliable/consistent centre and his recent international performances for New Zealand will hold him in good stead to keep progressing.

Stuart expects plenty from Hudson Young in 2024. Picture: Getty Images

PC:Hudson Young had a rollercoaster year after getting picked in the NSW team and then getting dumped. What impact did that have on him? Do you think his form dropped off after Origin?

RS: Hudson is a massive part of our team and future. The Origin experience will only make him stronger and more determined.

PC:I think Elliott Whitehead and Rapana are both off contract at the end of 2024. Is this their last season, is that determined?

RS: NRL is a funny game, they have both been great players for our club and still have significant roles to play at our club in season 2024.

PC:Josh Papalii retired from rep footy last year. He’s only 31 but he’s played a lot of footy. He’ll actually crack 300 games this year which is massive for a front-rower and especially a bloke who bashes his body up like Papa. Gee he’s been a great player for the Raiders.

RS: Sometimes you need to coach a player to understand his value to the team and club. We love Papa and he still has plenty of fuel in the tank. He is a Raiders all-time great and the young players we have coming through will benefit enormously from his experience. I believe he is still one of the best front rowers in the game.

PC:What about Joey Tapine. Is he the future captain of this club?

RS: Joe is a leader at our club, back-to-back Meninga Medals (as the Raiders’ best player). Joe will be part of our leadership group moving forward and is developing all the time in that domain. We are going to have the players select our leadership group and future captain after Elliott, and Joe will be well and truly in the mix.

Joe Tapine was forced from the field for an HIA during the final against the Knights. Picture: NRL Images

PC:You must be filthy at what happened in that last game against Newcastle when Tapine was forced from the field for a head knock leading into extra time. But then they let Kalyn Ponga stay on the field and kick the winning penalty goal. It just gets washed over and everyone moves on. But the consistency around the HIA stinks and it must be really frustrating for a coach.

RS: I understand the importance of HIA and concussion protocols in our game and respect the safety element for our players both now and in their futures. The NRL is doing a good job in this area and like anything, improving the consistency of decision making will benefit everyone.

PC:If Tapine stays on the field, it’s a different ball game?

RS: I don’t think you can determine the result as an outcome from that decision. Joe is one of the best front rowers in the game, so yes, having him on the field would have made a difference.

PC:What is a fair expectation for the Raiders fans in 2024?

RS:We are looking at making the eight and if we have some luck with injuries, and our young players grab their opportunities, etc, we expect to be in the top 4.

PC:If you were to throw a couple of names of young up and comers to watch out for in 2024. Who do you think deserves a mention right now?

RS: I am not going to put too much pressure on the kids though I am very confident we have young talent coming through that over the coming seasons will make our loyal supporters proud.