Why Ricky Stuart is one of the most entertaining men in the NRL

CANBERRA are as entertaining to watch on television as any other team in the NRL, not just because of their style of football, but for Ricky Stuart’s sideline antics.

Stuart has always been known for his passion.

THE Canberra Raiders are as entertaining to watch on television as any other team in the NRL.

Not necessarily because they play such a daring and adventurous style of football, unlike some of the more boring overly-structured outfits.

I love watching this football team because of the theatre than comes with Ricky Stuart’s crazy sideline antics.

The passion, the pressure, the stress and the jubilation. The way you can lip read the swear words. The way you can feel his stress or soak up the elation.

Fox Sports and Channel Nine pick up on it brilliantly and there is not a more televised coach in the competition. It sure beats looking at the more unemotional types like Wayne Bennett, Anthony Griffin, Trent Robinson, Jason Taylor or Neil Henry.

Not that Stuart is there for the TV cameras. It’s actually a ploy he picked up from four-time premiership-winning coach Tim Sheens in the old days at the Canberra Raiders.

“Sheensy always coached from the sideline,” Stuart said, “I would communicate with him from the sideline all the time and it made me feel comfortable.

“I just think hands-on communication can be more effective than sending a shirt out.

“The players can see your body language, they see your eyes. It’s all about getting the message across the best way possible. I can give them more clarity and tell them what I’m looking for.”

At least Sheens used to sit on a chair with his headphones.

Not Stuart, who roams and paces himself around like he’s in a hospital delivery ward waiting for the birth of his first child.

Every other coach in the NRL prefers the view from up high in the grand stand where they are sitting next to an analysis and statistical expert, his laptop and the assistant coach.

Stuart is one of the few coaches in the NRL who coaches from the sidelines.

Still, Stuart insists he’s got all bases covered.

“It’s very easy sitting in a nice cosy box but you don’t feel the environment,” he said.

“I’ve got Dean Pay up top talking to Mick Crawley who is on the earphones downstairs with me.

“We’ve actually got really good communication while I’m getting a real feeling for the game and how the players are going.

“In a box you’re too removed from the game. I like to have a feel for the speed and the intensity and I honestly feel I can better serve the team from the sideline.

“I like being hands on with the players when they’re coming off or going on.”

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The one thing he doesn’t enjoy are the Fox Sports or Channel Nine cameras in his face. The viewers sure do but he doesn’t.

“I enjoy the atmosphere and I feel part of the game but I could do without the cameras,” he said.

“I don’t like being part of the theatre. I try my best not to be emotional but I’m a naturally emotional bloke and that’s just the way I am.”

The images of Stuart and his lime green jacket are ones we better get used to.

Because the way the footy team is responding to his coaching, the Canberra Raiders will be playing finals football this year and who knows what could happen from there.

Not that the former Roosters, Sharks and Parramatta Eels coach is getting carried away.

“We’re starting to build a competitive squad,” he said.

“We’ve just got to play the better quality football for longer durations. There’s a long way to go yet.”