Penrith Panthers star Jaemon Salmon isn’t ruling out taking legal action against Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart following his post-game spray.
Stuart was slapped with a $25,000 fine to go along with a one-week suspension. Stuart labelled Salmon a “weak gutted dog” in an outburst that left the entire NRL community in a state of shock.
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In the lead up to the 2022 NRL Grand Final, Salmon spoke about the incident for the first time since the incident which occurred following the round 21 clash on August 6.
During the Panthers’ 26-6 win, Salmon lashed out with his boot after he was tackled by Starling.
“The James Fisher-Harris and Joe Tapine tackles are accidents and in this collision game I understand that,” Stuart said.
“But where Salmon kicked Tommy (Starling), it ain’t on.
“I have had history with that kid (Salmon). I know that kid very well.
“He was a weak gutted dog as a kid and he hasn’t changed now. He is a weak gutted dog person now.”
Stuart initially refused to back down from his fiery remarks, before reassessing and issuing an apology the next day. Stuart refused to explain the reasoning behind his volatile spray.
Salmon said he was still considering legal action and shut down speculation the long-running feud between the pair has anything to do with Stuart’s daughter who has autism.
“Definitely,” Salmon said to The Daily Telegraph.
“There could be some stuff in the works still. I’m not sure. I can’t really comment on anything, and I won’t.
“It has nothing to do with his autistic daughter,” Salmon said. “I’ve never heard the term before, but I won’t let it get to me. I’m not worried about hearing that term. I’m only focused on the game this week.
“I heard about it at the game. What Rick said is up to him.”
The NRL threw the book at Stuart over his tirade, issuing him a breach notice and suspended him from all club activities with the Raiders for one full week. He becomes the first NRL coach to be handed a suspension by the league.
“Leaders need to set the standard in the game. The comments are completely unacceptable from any individual let alone an official of such experience and standing.” NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said in a statement.
“This is a highly unusual case, and we have taken the significant step of proposing a suspension from his duties for one week. This will be a full suspension precluding Ricky from having any involvement with any club activity either in person or remotely. Furthermore, the fine must not be paid by the Club but by Ricky himself.”
