Whenever Ricky Stuart hands one of his players a debut, he feels like a proud dad.
So you can only imagine how he feels after giving his actual son, Jed, the chance to become Raider #404 against Wests Tigers at Campbelltown on Friday.
“That’s probably a good description because I like to get close to all of my players,” Stuart said “This one is for real.”
It’s a debut Stuart said Jed has had to work “doubly hard” for. Concerned about perceptions of nepotism, the younger Stuart had to play 57 NSW Cup games before getting the call-up for first grade. Even then, it only happened after the senior Canberra players assured the coach that the young winger was up to the challenge.
“There was no way it was going to be an easy ride for him, it was always going to be a disadvantage for him [being my son], to be honest,” Stuart said.
“It’s good for him. I feel like I’ve got a good understanding of when a player is ready to play NRL and this is a good opportunity for Jed to start developing an NRL career and see where he gets to.”
Jed Stuart in action for the Raiders in a trial match.Credit: Getty
Stuart has always worn his heart on his sleeve. Watching him prowling along the sidelines, riding every play like his life depended on it, can be as entertaining as the action unfolding on the field.
When veteran prop Josh Papalii recently broke the Raiders record for first-grade appearances, Stuart had to hold back the tears. So how will he fare when Jed runs out?
“I get embarrassed with my emotions,” he said. “Honestly, I wish there was a tablet that could help me. Maybe a shot of whiskey.”
Earlier this week, the Raiders filmed an emotional jersey presentation that featured the team and the entire Stuart family.
“First off, I’d like to thank all the coaches, I definitely wouldn’t be here right now without you guys,” Jed said.
“To the boys, what you guys have created this year I’m just so keen to be a part of that and can’t wait to put that jersey on and run out with you.”
The big stage is unlikely to faze Jed. He represented the Wallabies in rugby Sevens before committing to the 15-man game. A carpentry apprenticeship has been put on hold while he pursues his NRL dream. Like dad, mum Kaylie rides every moment of his footballing career.
“She’s very supportive,” Stuart said. “She’s a footy mum, but she’s a mum at heart, a mum first.
Father-son coach-player duos in the NRL
- Nathan and Ivan Cleary (Penrith)
- Brad and Jake Arthur (Parramatta_
- Martin and John Lang (Cronulla, Penrith)
- Kyle and Shane Flanagan (St George Illawarra)
- Billy and Kevin Walters (Brisbane)
- Bob, Scott and Brett Fulton (Manly)
- Chris and Ben Anderson (Melbourne)
- Bob and Darren McCarthy (South Sydney)
- Frank and Shane Endacott (Warriors)
“It wouldn’t matter what the kids are doing, we support them. [Another son] Jack played in the 2019 grand final in under-20s and Jed now has this opportunity. We’ll support them in whatever they do.”
Stuart junior was the logical replacement for the injured Savelio Tamale, but dad still needed some convincing.
“I spoke to all the senior boys. Joe [Tapine] was very positive and strong about it,” Stuart said.
“Hudson Young was good. His remark was, ‘We’ve got a winger injured, it’s like for like, and we don’t lose anything … and it’s not great disruption for the team’.
“It shows our second-grade team that if you’re playing well, if there’s an injury, we can show faith in the boys in the NSW Cup team.
“Jed has been very committed for the past three seasons and it hasn’t been easy for him. There’s no handout, it hasn’t been an easy ride. He’s earned every opportunity he gets.”
Asked the final piece of advice he’d dispense to the newbie, Stuart said: “It’s like I tell every debutant; if you make an error, it’s not the error I’m worried about, it’s your next effort.
“It’s what you do and how you handle it.”
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