The Raiders have let in 108 points in the last two weeks. If it was dollars placed on Ryan Tandy giving away a penalty, the NSW Crime Commission would be setting up a phone tap.
If it was milligrams of beta-2 agonists, ASADA would be holding a press conference at the Sutherland Town Hall.
108 points at the judiciary gets you a one-match suspension.
In some schools of Buddhism it is believed there are 108 feelings, many of which I felt strongly while watching the Raiders over the last two weeks (you can guess which).
108 points gets you sixth place in the Eurovision Song Contest – an event that might better suit a bunch of burly blokes in bright lime green.
108 is the atomic number of hassium, a synthetic element with a half-life of between 9.7 seconds and 11 minutes – coincidently, the same amount of time in the first half of a Raiders game before I start to feel that sinking feeling of absolute despair.
A 0.108 per cent blood alcohol level will leave you with significant impaired motor coordination and loss of good judgment. Speech may be slurred; balance, peripheral vision, reaction time, and hearing will be impaired. You may be ejected from Beach Haus.
But most importantly, 108 points does not get you a happy fan-base.
I know you were a great halfback and I fondly remember your barking, nimble playing style from the 80’s and 90’s. But are you really a coach? Just switching around your halves won’t fortify a defensive line that has more holes in it than Australia’s future public education system.
Please Ricky, be a great inspiration, be a rebel with cause. But perhaps it’s time to leave the coaching to those just-better-than-average players gifted with an exceptional strategic footy brain. I wonder what David Furner is doing now?
Anyway, don’t forget to get your Daily Telegraph article in this week, along with your tips (Bradley Clyde knows you spend more time on that than training). I see you are doing quite well, even picking Parramatta.
Brendon Baker
Roar Rookie
The more things change, the more they stay the same
Brendon Baker
Roar Rookie
Proudly wearing my green jersey this week. Here is an apology haiku to Ricky: Raiders for Premiers. Could have been F&@ing worse, Ric. Don’t let Learoyd go.
LewieC
Roar Rookie
He's a rubbish coach. He's won just 17 game since this day in 2009, out of a possible 72 games that gives him a formidable 23.61% success rate. Now I'll cut him some slack in that he hasn't had the best cattle to drove at times during that period, but I'd also argue that with a rate like that he should be out of a job. His manager must have some platinum chat to get him work, because I tell you what based on my KPI's I'd have been sacked years ago with those performances.
fiver
Guest
I know it's cool to bash R. Stuart at the moment, but those 2 games can't be blamed on the coach. The Raiders lost there last 6-7 games in 2013 with a number of touch ups in there. Something else at the club is affecting the players ability to get up each week and be competitive. Stuart's job is to realise the club needs a lot of hard work to be a top side. If he thinks that he has just inherited a talented squad that are willing to bust their guts for him then he's kidding himself.
mushi
Guest
The premiership winning coach needs some context though right? It was a team built entirely by another coach. I agree with the "he couldn't care less part though" and he shouldn't have to. It shows more weakness of character to make your decisions based on how some nameless fans will look back on your career if you fail.
Ronnie
Guest
The Raiders are not a bad squad, now finals material for sure but it is Stuart that puts them in the spoon category. He started with the ranting and blaming the refs yesterday so it can only go downhill from here.
aussiecrusader
Guest
Sticky's latest outburst against the referring in the game reminds me of his record.He complained in the same manner after his last game as national coach.Stuart has only to look at his record to see who he should blame. There is none so blind as he who can not see.
Rumpole
Guest
mmm average players mostly
Western fuglie
Guest
Tigers Board please re sign Mick Potter ASAP Given what's going to be on the market in weeks as far a coaches go potter is a no brainier as for raiders fans I'm almost sorry for you guys but then again 1989 is still fresh..... Suffer in ya jocks!
eagleJack
Guest
He makes great money, is a premiership winning coach and coached NSW to an Origin series win. No, he is not the best coach. Far from it. But he has achieved more than a plethora of other coaches, and I'm sure he couldn't careless if coaching is somehow tarnishing his playing career.
Greg Kapanombo
Guest
The performance of the ParraEels in 2014 comprising Sandow and others benched by Ricky with almost sacking in 2013 is a testimony in itself. The 8 seasons losing streak by the NSW Blues leaves Ricky's coaching carrier to be desired. A great player cannot always be a good coach. Why tarnish your hard earned player reputation in coaching.
turbodewd
Guest
Stuart better make some personnel changes. Campo has lost it. He is meant to be a running half who threatens the line...but he doesnt threaten anymore. He has to go, his legs are shot.
Clark
Guest
Yeah I am hoping McFadden stay for a very long time at the Warriors so they don't try and get Stuart over here haha
Clark
Guest
Stuart has done well to create this false belief in club officials that he can actually coach. You just need to look at the Sharks, Eels and now the Raiders, what was the common denominator?
Ronnie
Guest
Fans have been saying this for nearly a decade now that sticky is the very worst RL coach still in the game. Yet time and again, clubs throw money at him and recruit him as head coach and seem to be blind to the complete devastation he leaves behind. I am sorry for your plight Raiders but you only have yourselves to blame and you can't say you weren't told.