LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
Canberra Raiders winger Jed Stuart, son of coach Ricky, is likely to be part of the NRL finals action, thanks to the season-ending injury of Xavier Savage. This injury means Stuart will likely stay in the starting lineup, having made an impressive debut in place of Savelio Tamale, who suffered a dislocated knee earlier in the year.
Tamale emerged as one of the standout rookies of 2025, showcasing exceptional talent on the left wing for Canberra as they climbed the ladder. However, with his injury, coach Stuart faced the challenge of selecting a suitable replacement.
Coach Stuart acknowledged that the dressing room supported his decision to give his son a debut in Round 15. Since joining the team, Jed Stuart has made significant contributions, scoring four tries over eight games. His performance was particularly pivotal in the nail-biting golden point victory over the Panthers last weekend.
In that match, Liam Martin chose not to tackle Stuart as Nathan Cleary's field-goal attempt rebounded off the post. Stuart seized the opportunity, leaping for the ball and subsequently offloading it to Ethan Strange, who broke through the defensive line and enabled Kaeo Weekes to score the match-winner in golden point.
Stuart's contributions have been crucial in keeping the Raiders in contention for the minor premiership, with only two games remaining. Meanwhile, Tamale has begun training again and is poised for a return in Round 26 against the Tigers.
Ricky's son expressed his willingness to step aside for Tamale's comeback, emphasizing a 'team-first' mentality as the NRL finals approach. Despite the latest developments regarding Savage, it appears that both Stuart and Tamale will be part of the team when they are fit to play.
Savage sustained a shoulder injury during the first half of the Raiders' victory over the Panthers last week in Mudgee. Though he attempted to continue playing and reached halftime, he ultimately could not return due to the severity of the injury.