LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart recently faced one of the toughest weeks of his coaching career after making the decision to debut his son, Jed Stuart, for the team.
The moment was a significant one for Stuart, who expressed pride in both his role as a coach and as a father.
On Friday night, Jed debuted as a left-winger and made a notable impact by scoring a try, contributing to Canberra's 16-14 victory over the Wests Tigers, which kept them second on the ladder behind the Bulldogs.
Reflecting on the lead-up to the match, Stuart revealed the emotional toll of the week, stating, "This week has been the hardest week I've had since I've coached." He shared that as a father, he didn't expect Jed to be "man of the match," but simply hoped he could hold his own, which he successfully did.
The coach also mentioned sleepless nights filled with worry, admitting, "The amount of times I've been waking up at 3am with real bad thoughts ...
He didn't have any of those tonight, which was good."
Interestingly, the decision to play Jed was influenced by the senior playing group, as Stuart sought their input rather than making the choice unilaterally.
With Savelio Tamale sidelined due to a season-ending knee injury, a vacancy opened on the left wing.
Rather than grant Jed an automatic spot in the lineup, Stuart reached out to captain Joseph Tapine and other senior players for their support.
Their backing ultimately gave him the confidence he needed to make the decision, showcasing a collaborative team environment amidst the personal challenges faced by the coach.
Overall, the combination of a father's pride and a coach's commitment to fairness highlighted the emotional complexity involved in this debut.