‘Boys’ performance’: Ricky Stuart annihilates ‘precious, spoilt’ Raiders

Canberra coach Ricky Stuart has given his side a brutal reality check after they were destroyed in a 38-point loss to the Cowboys,

Elliot Whitehead and Ricky Stuart

Canberra coach Ricky Stuart has slammed his side’s massive 38-point loss to the Cowboys as a “boys’ performance” that revealed his side as being “precious.”

Speaking at his post-game press conference, Stuart was furious at the level his side performed at in Townsville, stating “that’s nowhere near what we’ve got.”

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“That was a boys’ performance tonight. In every little contest we got smashed,” he added.

Canberra were in the contest early against the Cowboys but eventually folded, with Stuart calling out his side for not being “prepared to do the grind and the hard work.”

“We got into the arm wrestle and we were the first team to break,” he said.

The Raiders coach would go on to describe his side’s Round 24 outing as a “real precious, spoilt type of game,” sharing his belief it “looked as though we didn’t train.”

Asked if having a young side somewhat explains the loss, Stuart insisted he “can’t use that as an excuse.”

Ricky Stuart was fuming.

Canberra’s 17 against the Cowboys featured youthful and inexperienced footballers like Xavier Savage, Ethan Strange and Adam Cook, all of whom are highly rated players with bright futures in the game.

Stuart suggested as much stating “these young blokes are going to be a big part of the club’s future.”

And while he noted “this year is going to be a learning period you’ve still got to make your tackles (and) you’ve still got to catch the football.”

The 57-year-old failed to single out one player’s performance for criticism in his post-match criticism, instead laying the marker down for his whole side to improve.

“A lot of the younger blokes tonight (and) our whole football team, we’re better than that,” he said.

“There wasn’t an individual out there that can stand up and say I did my job tonight.”

Good luck at training this week boys! Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

Despite their heavy defeat Canberra are currently just one win out of the top eight, though that could change should the Dragons beat the Titans tomorrow.

Stuart was asked during his press conference if he believes his side can still dream of finals football, to which he offered a very frank assessment.

“Did you see the game tonight?” he said.

“We’re a long way off some of those teams in the top eight in regards to that performance out there tonight.

“The frustrating part is I know we’re a better side but I’m not going to protect blokes in there.”

Originally published as ‘Boys’ performance’: Ricky Stuart annihilates ‘precious, spoilt’ Raiders