Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has delivered an emotional tribute to Elliott Whitehead, following the outgoing skipper’s final home game in Canberra.
Barely 30 minutes after Whitehead’s emotional on field interview following the Green Machine’s epic upset win over Penrith, Stuart fought back tears in the Raiders press conference when asked about the captain’s impact on the club.
“I won’t get emotional,” Stuart said.
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“He’s been one of our best buys from England and we’ve had some good ones. Josh (Hodgson), George (Williams), John (Bateman), we’ve got Morgan (Smithies) now.
“He’s followed Josh’s boots in regards to being our captain. The players absolutely adore Elliott and once the season finishes, he’s one of my best mates.”
Whitehead has been the heart and soul of the Raiders pack since making his NRL debut at the club back in 2016.
The 34-year-old Englishman has been Canberra’s captain since 2021 and played his 204th game for the club on Saturday after debuting for the Raiders back in 2016.
“Eliott’s turned up here as a guy who wanted to challenge himself in regards to playing in the NRL. He’s won that challenge but he’s also become a leader in regards to a captain,” Stuart said.
“He’ll be here at many reunion days with our old boys and he’ll be the one at the bar with 10-15 blokes around him because he’s adorded by everybody.”
Whitehead (204) passed Stuart (203) for games played for the Raiders on Saturday afternoon.
“204 today. If I had known, he wouldn’t have been playing,” Stuart joked.
Whitehead teared up in a post-match interview with Fox League’s Lara Pitt.
“It was a great performance and it shows the potential these young kids have got, to get that result against this great Penrith team, even without (Nathan) Cleary, they’ve showed all year how good they are,” Whitehead said.
“I know this year we’ve been inconsistent at times and it’s pleasing to get the result, especially for our home fans, I think there were 17,500 here tonight which shows how loyal they are turning up in numbers.”
Pitt then asked a question that saw Whitehead become emotional.
“Your last ever game here at GIO Stadium, you come as a 25-year-old boy, how do you leave this club?” Pitt said.
“I’m getting emotional,” Whitehead responded before taking a moment to try and compose himself as tears started to well.
“It means a lot me, this club, I’ve been here nine years… I didn’t think I’d get emotional on TV sorry.
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“After two years I didn’t think I’d stay here for nine years but I love everyone at this club and even the teammates that have left, like Jack (Wighton), I’ve got some great memories and some great friends at this club who will be a big part of my life.”
Whitehead was then asked about his coach.
“I just overtook him with games, he’s on 203 and I’m on 204 so I wasn’t sure if he was going to play me today,” Whitehead said.
“But look it’s just pleasing to get the win for the fans who have turned up in numbers all year and like I said we have been disappointing but to put that performance in is pleasing.”
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Regarding Canberra’s massive on-field turnaround, Stuart quipped that his side should be looked at by the “stewards”.
The Raiders were thumped 42-4 by the Cowboys last weekend and were in turn blasted by Stuart post game.
What he said seemed to work, with the Raiders coming out seven days later to lower the colours of the defending champions.
“I think Peter V’landys might go out and get the stewards,” Stuart said.
I know they’ve got that in them, last week was not us and I don’t know where it came from.
“I was as embarrassed last week as I have been since I’ve coached here.
“I know what’s in us which is why I got so cranky about last week.”
Source Agencies
