Canberra coach Ricky Stuart is reportedly facing the largest fine for referee criticism in the history of the NRL after he walked out of the media conference following last week’s match against Brisbane.
Fairfax reports that the Raiders have been issued a $20,000 breach notice after the NRL found the club failed to meet five guidelines outlined in their media protocol after the 24-12 loss to the Broncos.
Unhappy with decisions which went against his team, Stuart answered just one question before he and skipper Jarrod Croker left.
“No it wasn’t one of those games … (NRL head of football) Toddy Greenberg, he was at the game tonight and I just really hope he saw what I saw,” Stuart said.
“It’s a lot healthier for our club if we don’t go any further into this press conference.
“I have respect for all the media, it’s got nothing to do with you, but it’s just a lot healthier if I don’t continue. Thanks.”
The NRL found the Raiders breached guidelines including not genuinely participating in the media conference and making comments which could be interpreted as criticism of referees Gavin Badger and Chris Sutton.
The Raiders have five working days to respond and decide whether to lodge an appeal.
The club have reportedly confirmed they won’t make a decision until next week.
Stuart has a history of contentious relations with referees.
He has been issued with fines a number of times, and was sacked as Australian Test coach after abusing referee Ashley Klein in the lobby of a Brisbane hotel the day after the 2008 World Cup final.
Doc79
Roar Rookie
We raiders fans still have to play the hand that's dealt- don't give me the line we're mad for Stuart (like the sharks and eels are mad on him maybe?) We don't choose the coach and I won't defend poor behaviour even if they wear green. Ricky is his own worst enemy. Period. Bad/contentious calls go a against regional/'small' clubs weekly as par for course. Period. Regional/'small' clubs get limited, invaluable, exposure to prime time slots which directly affects clubs ability to draw all important sponsorship (see the great salary cap loophole called third party agreements) revenues. Period.
scott
Guest
He does have mad supporters here on the roar, but they're generally Raiders fans with Stickholm syndrome.
Gad
Guest
quote { and were not going to stand for it no more }. What did they do about it, take their kicking tee and join English Super League? No...
Bronco Juggernaut
Guest
"been nursed and favoured (just like Qld) have for years" BS! Everything you say on here is entirely made up. You're the biggest sore loser on this site.
steveng
Roar Rookie
How many more teams do you want to come out of Canberra or the ACT? Its not like Brisbane or Qld, you could fit the ACT into Qld about 10 fold. The Broncos have been nursed and favoured (just like Qld) have for years. Go Ricky were all behind you as the NRL administrators and the referees have allot to answer for and are rubbish.
Bails
Guest
Gad, bad calls are bad calls ... and the Cows have received howlers, Ricky is having a whine of 50/50's Cows never whine on those, they only whine on the 100%ers you guys still don't get the difference because your club isn't affected ... you can't compare the 2, the bad calls the cows got cost them their season .... the cows were whining because they were sick of it and were not going to stand for it no more, and if we get another 100%er bad call to end another season which if you were a booky on previous years you would be backing it as a safe bet .... well the cows will whine again and whine louder!
Joey Johns
Roar Guru
Hey! the broncos and canberra are both one team towns!
JJ
Guest
Ra ... you clearly aren't from here. Get educated before insulting us aussie .
Ra
Guest
he had his supporters here on theroar. He may have been pre-wound but Mal's uncurled him with his little snipes and sniggers in the media
Gad
Guest
Another ‘it`s all about me’ Stuart stunt. Take a page out of Paul Greens book of 80 minutes of football. The cowboys no longer whine of bad calls, they have taken sole responsibility for what happens in their 80 minutes on the field, and look at the results it`s producing in 2015
Alex L
Roar Rookie
I thought the commentators missed a trick on that video ref call, Tedesco knocked the ball backwards but it then went forward off his legs or feet. A close look indicates the ball actually went under him as he was rolling.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
Was thinking the same thing about the video ref call against the Titans last night. Typical home town ref decision. The commentators and anyone with a TV could see it was a knock on. The Tigers crowd were baying for penalties all flippin night while the Tiger defence was barely back 5 metres and the refs were happy to let them go. Everything seemed to be going to plan with the Tigers hitting the front against the out of town underdog. Thank God justice was done when the Titans broke though with a long range try to seal the match.
Laurie
Guest
Last night the Titans almost got robbed by a crazy video ref call who somehow missed a Tigers player clearly touching the ball for a knock on. The refs are rubbish, especially the video refs and the coaches and fans are sick of it. I bet the players are too.
Gav
Guest
Still trying to think what bit of what he did was "healthier for the club"
MJB
Guest
Two points: 1. Sticky is a bit of a whinger and should coach some defence into his team before complaining about the refs. 2. Having said that, it is ridiculous that he gets a bigger fine for not saying anything specific than Toovey did for 'There's got to be an investigation!"
sham
Guest
He may as well have outlined his complaint in detail. He could have made a broader point about the top clubs such as the Broncs who already have the absurd advantage of being the only team in Brisbane, getting the rub of the green on 50/50 calls. If there is an issue it is not just a Raiders one.
Chui
Guest
This is the first I've heard of 'Aussies' complaining about Stuart getting the bullet. Every single person I know couldn't wait to see the back of him. Meninga didn't need to wind him up. He comes pre-wound and ready to go. A little hyperbole perhaps?
Ra
Guest
Some Aussies are still complaining about Stuart being sacked from the Kangaroo coaching post after being kicked in the world cup finals by the Kiwis. But here's a classic example of why. Don't tell me about wearing his heart on his sleeve and all that rubbish. He lost the plot as the Blues coach because Big Mal knew how to wind him up especially after all their years together at the Raiders. He might be a great bloke (Aussie saying) but he's a terrible media magnet for the game. His former mentor Sheens might have just lost a three in a row against the Kiwis, but he did fix up Stuart's terrible media image on the big stage with his brand of diplomacy. Maybe there's a train the trainers job there for Sheens, but he has a pretty tough one first up !