Panthers utility Jaeman Salmon has fanned the flames of his feud with Raiders coach Ricky Stuart, appearing to scream “weak-gutted dog” after scoring in the final minute of his team’s win.
Stuart famously referred to Salmon as a “weak-gutted dog” in a post-match press conference after the sides played each other in Round 21 last season.
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It was suggested the outburst was linked to an incident in Salmon’s junior days, after Stuart said he had “history with that kid.”
A fuming Stuart made the comment after Salmon was put on report for a kick aimed at Raiders hooker Tom Starling.
10 sets of hands spark hot potato try! | 00:47
“The James Fisher-Harris and Joe Tapine tackles are accidents and in this coalition game I understand that,” Stuart said last season.
“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.”
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Stuart was hit with $25,000 fine and suspended from coaching duties for seven days with NRL CEO Andrew Abdo calling the outburst “completely unacceptable for any person in the game.”
Salmon expected a hostile reception from Canberra fans, telling NCA NewsWire earlier this week that “they’ll be loud down there,” although he added that he hadn’t “thought about it since it happened last year.”
But the 24-year-old certainly looked to be thinking about it when he barged over in the 79th minute and mouthed off towards the crowd.
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Salmon’s try took Penrith past the 50-point mark. They finished the game 53-12 winners against a Raiders team that failed to fire in the second half.
Stuart wasn’t asked about the try in his post-game press conference, but Panthers coach Ivan Cleary was, saying: “Good karma. That’s how I describe that.”
