Ricky Stuart is set re-sign as head coach of the Canberra Raiders on a long-term extension.
That is according to News Corp journalist Dave Riccio, who revealed on NRL 360 that the 57-year-old will ink a four-year extension, which will be announced “within the next 24 to 48 hours.”
Stuart was already signed until the end of 2025, but the new deal will keep him in the nation’s capital until the end of 2029.
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“It is built around the current process the club is going through where they’re trying to develop and generate that next gen player,” Riccio said on Tuesday night.
“They want Ricky to be there to show these guys the way through over the next four-to-five years.”
Under Stuart’s guidance the likes of Xavier Savage, Matt Timoko, Ethan Strange and Chevy Stewart have broken into the NRL.
It’s the emergence of those players — as well as Stuart’s stature in Canberra — that’s convinced the club that he is still the man to lead the ship.
“He’s not just the coach in Canberra, he’s a part of the community. He does a lot of charity work and they love him in Canberra,” News Corp’s Brent Read told NRL 360.
“I think Ricky has done a great job regenerating that side with those young signings.”
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NRL 360 host Braith Anasta, however, asked if it’s “a bit odd” that the Raiders have re-signed Stuart on such a long-term deal given he hasn’t delivered a premiership as a coach.
“Most coaches are defined by success,” he said.
But Riccio believes Stuart’s power in the game is exactly what the Raiders’ need regardless of his coaching resume.
“You need a significant head coach with profile at that football club to not only attract talent, but to keep talent. They’ve done a good job with that in reason seasons,” he said.
“He has a lot of power and influence down in Canberra, but also he helps put Canberra on the map in an NRL environment.
“He has conduits throughout the game, he can pick up the phone to the NRL — and that is the power of Ricky Stuart., which I think the Canberra club needs.”
Stuart is already the Raiders’ longest-serving coach and his new deal will take his reign to 16 years after stepping into the job in 2014.
Source Agencies
