Ivan Cleary – Michmutters
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NRL 2022: Cameron Ciraldo Bulldogs coach, pundits react, Bulldogs roster, Who is the Bulldogs coach?, Matt Burton contract, player signings

Rugby league legend Mark Geyer has made a bold prediction following the Bulldogs’ appointment of rookie coach Cameron Ciraldo — while Fox League’s Andrew Voss is concerned the club’s “gamble” could backfire.

Ciraldo inked a five-year contract to join the Belmore club from 2023 onwards in a deal reportedly worth around $800,000-per-season.

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The 38-year-old was the hottest property on the coaching market following the axing of multiple coaches including Trent Barrett, but in the end NRL supremo Phil Gould got his man.

Ciraldo has been Ivan Cleary’s assistant for several years and former Panther Mark Geyer believes his appointment means Matt Burton’s tenure with the Bulldogs will almost certainly extend past 2023 after knocking back his player option for 2024.

“He’ll be the youngest coach in the NRL, 38-years of age and signs a five-year deal as I said it’s a major coup, but what it does is makes Matt Burton, now his signature will be a lot longer, he’ll sign on for longer,” Geyer said on Triple M.

“That means that Kikau won’t get cold feet, it means Reed Mahoney won’t get cold feet, the Fox (Josh Addo Carr).

“It’s a massive signing, a lot of people will be saying look he hasn’t done much but, he’s been an assistant coach but what he’s done is he’s very articulate in the way he prepares.”

Geyer also believes the Bulldogs are set for a “special” rebuild, going as far to say they could be premiership contenders within five years.

“It’s all about the team with Cameron Ciraldo it’s never about him so I think this is a major, major boost for the Bulldogs in the next five years,” he said.

“Cameron Ciraldo will, I’m not going to say it but they’re going to do something special in five years but they’re going to be close I would say.

“I reckon they’re going to be close to pulling off the biggest prize of all within five years.”

The Daily Telegraph’s Buzz Rothfield echoed Geyer’s remarks — but explained assistants who have been mentored by elite coaches don’t always become successful bosses themselves.

“At 38 he’ll be the youngest coach in the NRL but a terrific talent, he’s been a great right hand man for Ivan Cleary at the Panthers with all their success in recent years,” Rothfield said on the Big Sports Breakfast.

“He’s their minister for defense there, he’s the one who designed all the strategies to keep their line intact which has been so outstanding in recent times.

“Look the only thing I will say is just because you’re out of a Penrith system or Melbourne system it doesn’t automatically make you a great coach.

“I wrote this morning about Trent Barrett only having a 40 per cent win record despite the rap on ‘Baz’ (Barrett) when he came out of Penrith and Garth Brennan too.

“You look at guys like Adam O’Brien who came out of Melbourne and had a year under Trent Robinson.

“It doesn’t mean you’re going to be an immediate success but I’ve got this feeling that Cameron Ciraldo will prove that theory wrong, he’s got what it takes.

“I think it’s enormous for Canterbury and that he knows the pathways so well at Penrith, he’s been there over a decade on their coaching staff.

“He knows how to bring young players through, I think it’s a huge move for the Bulldogs.

“Put them (Kikau and Mahoney) in with Matty Burton and the rest of the team I think they’re going to be a real top eight chance next year.”

While many are backing Ciraldo to be a success, rugby league commentator Andrew Voss stated he wouldn’t be “signing a rookie coach for five years”.

Five-year coaching contracts have in the past gone pear-shaped — Anthony Seibold’s short-lived Broncos deal being the most recent.

Voss explained there are only a handful of coaches across the league that could warrant the long-term contract signed by Ciraldo.

“Any five-year deal, there’s an element of a gamble in it, even with a player.”

“But five years for an untried coach?” Penrith Panthers legend Greg Alexander asked.

Voss continued: “What if they haven’t played finals in a couple of years? I think five years is too much.

“Five years for a rookie coach? Trying to think of a coach you’d sign for five years, I think you’ve got to have the runs on the board.

“(Craig) Bellamy, (Trent) Robinson, (Ivan) Cleary, I don’t think there’s too many more.

“I’m not signing a rookie coach for five years.

“But, I wish Cameron Ciraldo all the very best.”

Originally published as Why Phil Gould’s $4 million gamble on Cameron Ciraldo could backfire

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Canberra Raiders, Ricky Stuart suspension, St George, NRL finals, playoff picture, top eight, the run home, rugby league, suspension

NRL great Cameron Smith believes Raiders coach Ricky Stuart got off lightly after he received a one game ban for a post-match spray about Panthers playmaker Jaeman Salmon.

Stuart was also issued with a $25,000 fine after calling Salmon “a weak-gutted dog” after Canberra’s 26-6 to Penrith last Saturday.

The veteran coach will miss his side’s crunch match with St George on Sunday, as the Raiders look to keep their dwindling hopes of finals football alive.

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As reported by Fox Sports’ James Hooper, Stuart also can’t attend training sessions or contract anyone at the club for seven days from when the punishment was handed down.

speaking on The Captains Runformer Melbourne Storm captain Smith said that he was expecting Stuart to be issued with at least a two-game suspension for his spray.

“With the Salmon family situation, are they still seeking some legal advice on the situation? That’s always an option for them because without a doubt it’s defamation, every day of the week,” Smith said onSEN 1170 Radio.

“I was shocked Kempy (Denan Kemp), I was really shocked. I don’t know how you felt about it but I was extremely shocked when I heard the comments from Ricky.

“We’ve all seen him have his say in post-match press conferences and at times he has certainly pushed the boundaries as far as comments and remarks around officials and what happened on the game.

“That was just a clear crossing of the line. You just don’t go there in that forum.

“He said as much in the days post the comments that he made that it was the wrong thing to do. Now he’s coped a week for it.

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“I thought that it was quite light to be honest, one week. Fairly significantly fine involved, $25,000, it’s a lot of money.

“I actually thought it was going to be more around a minimum of two weeks suspension from the club.”

While Stuart has never been afraid to express how he’s feeling after a match, both Smith and co-host Denan Kemp agreed that a line had been crossed.

Kemp said that a one match suspension was still “reasonable” considering how the Raiders are placed on the ladder, but still felt that the comments had fallen into a “no go zone”.

“If I’m being honest, I used to enjoy his blow-ups. I really did. As a footy fan I thought it was great that we had this guy that sometimes crossed the line, but I think the key for me was always it was about the football with professionals,” Kemp said.

“Whether he’s having a crack at the refs or whoever it was, they’re professionals, they’re apart of the game, and he’s having his opinion on that situation. That’s where I can go ‘you know what, I kind of like the passion’.

“The line is when it’s not at football, and once you get across that line, it’s a no go zone.

Cleary backs NRL over Stuart suspension | 02:44

“The reason why I’m a bit surprised he only got one week was because he obviously has formed, he’s got I think it was $160,000 worth of fines now.

“I’m still happy with a week. His team is at a very crucial point in the season right now, they need to win every single game pretty much.

Canberra are still in with a chance of playing finals football this season as they continue the run home with four games left to be played.

They’re two competition points behind eighth-place Sydney Roosters, but have a significantly worse point’s differential which could work against them.

Smith thinks that they’ll overcome the loss of their coach to incredibly make the finals, as they have the “softest run” of any team currently in the mix.

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NRL news 2022: Penrith Panthers suffer rare defeat in heavyweight bout with Melbourne Storm

It was touted as a heavyweight bout between two sides who hate each other and it even featured some late biff in the Riff, but it was Melbourne who issued a Storm warning that should strike fear into the rest of the NRL.

It was less than a month ago that Craig Bellamy said he was unsure whether the Storm could turn things around to go on a famous premiership run after they’d just lost their fourth game on the trot.

But the legendary Storm coach might need to be a bit more arrogant after three-straight wins, including a statement victory over the defending premiers on Thursday night that has them primed for a top-four finish.

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“It was important for us because we’ve been hanging around the bottom of the top four,” Bellamy said.

“I thought that was our best performance for quite some time. That’s as well as we’ve defended for a year or two.”

The Storm were without halfback Jahrome Hughes (shoulder) but they smelled blood in the water and feasted on the makeshift Panthers spine in a performance reminiscent of years gone by when they were the NRL’s apex predators.

It was a night to remember for the small contingent of Storm fans at BlueBet Stadium, and it was Melbourne’s biggest human who stole the show with a brutal display in an unfamiliar role.

Nelson Asofa-Solomona was like a wrecking ball on the right, terrorizing Penrith’s edge defenders while at the same time blunting Viliame Kikau’s impact by simply clogging up gaps in the line.

The man mountain relished the extra room out wide with 62 meters, five tackle busts and three offloads in a barnstorming 37-minute stint as the visitors racked up an insurmountable 16-0 lead by halftime.

While he did plenty in attack, his most telling play was in defense when he somehow denied a rampaging Kikau over the line, which then led to David Nofoaluma’s first try in Storm colors from the ensuing set.

Injuries mount for mountain men

They’ve enjoyed one of the smoothest years imaginable, but things are starting to look a bit rough for the Panthers just a few weeks out from the finals.

The defending premiers were missing starting halves Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai as well as powerhouse prop James Fisher-Harris, while they were also dealt a massive blow before kick-off when courageous fullback Dylan Edwards was ruled out after he copped a battering in Canberra last week.

Things got worse on Thursday night with NSW representative Liam Martin rolling his left ankle so badly that he had to be helped from the field by two trainers and was on crutches in the dressing room.

Penrith’s depth is the envy of the league but even they can’t win the comp if they continue to rack up injuries every week, and Thursday’s performance will give their rivals hope that they are in fact fallible.

The mass changes took their toll with the Panthers producing their worst half of football at home since 2017.

They enjoyed the bulk of possession and territory after the break but couldn’t cross the stripe as they were held scoreless at home for the first time since 2015 against who else but the Storm.

“I thought there were some combination issues for us tonight,” Ivan Cleary said. “It was a good lesson for our younger guys.”

Precious Olam

Justin Olam has failed to match his dazzling form of 2021, but the center built of granite produced his best game of the season as a replenished Storm backline showed how potent it can be when the troops are back on deck.

The hitman produced two monstrous shots in defense that Jaeman Salmon and Brian To’o will be feeling for weeks, but it was his dazzling speed that caught the Panthers by surprise.

Olam scorched his way down the sideline to set up the returning Nick Meaney with a pinpoint chip kick and nearly produced an identical play for Cameron Munster to end the half.

oh so close

Waqa Blake produced the finish of the year last week but it would’ve been a short time at the top if Xavier Coates had been able to pull off the most miraculous grounding of all time.

The Storm winger’s body was in Melbourne yet he somehow managed to stretch his arm towards the line, only for the ball to come free an inch from the line after a big shot by Charlie Staines.

It wasn’t the only unique piece of play with Tui Kamikamica playing a big part in Brandon Smith’s try when he pushed ‘the Cheese’ into a hole before he sped straight past Staines.

—NCA NewsWire

Read related topics:melbourne

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Cameron Munster at fullback, positional switch, Jahrome Hughes return, Melbourne Storm team, highlights

It was only a few weeks ago that Craig Bellamy made a stunning admission, telling reporters he was “not confident” Melbourne could turn a worrying form slump around.

The Storm had slumped to a fourth-straight loss for the first time in seven years and even Bellamy was unsure if this champion team had it in them to rise to the top again.

It was on the playing group to prove Bellamy wrong and while wins over the Warriors and Titans were certainly needed, Thursday night was their chance to make a statement.

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Sure, the Panthers were severely understrength but so were the Storm and yet a defensive masterclass paved the way for a 16-0 shutout victory over the defending premiers.

Now in a strong position to wrap up a spot in the top four, Melbourne is right back in the title picture and Bellamy has a secret weapon up his sleeve that keeps everyone guessing.

Even Cameron Smith was fooled on Thursday morning, questioning why playmaker Cameron Munster had been moved back to the halves after a starring game at fullback the week prior.

“I was a little bit surprised, I thought he may have kept him there,” Smith admitted on SEN 1170 Radio.

Storm sizzle poor Panthers | 02:01

Bellamy did keep Munster there, although it was not necessarily always going to be the plan as the Storm coach revealed in his post-game press conference on Thursday night.

“It worked pretty well last week as well,” Bellamy said.

“We weren’t quite sure earlier in the week on which way we were going to go. We trained both of them there. I think we will probably look at it on our opposition and what we think the best way to use Munster and the best way to use Nick and their strengths [is].

“I’m not quite sure we’ll actually stick with Munster at fullback all the time but we need to have a bit of a chat about that with the leaders, obviously our halves and see what the coaches think.”

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Remembering Paul Green’s amazing career | 08:32

That in itself spells trouble for the rest of the competition.

It is already hard enough to defend Munster but not knowing where exactly he will be playing in the lead-up to a game makes that tougher, you only have to ask Ivan Cleary.

The Panthers coach was asked after Thursday’s defeat “what sort of threat” Munster posed at fullback, to which Cleary could only laugh.

“A lot,” he said.

“I don’t know whether fullback is much different. I suppose he doesn’t have all the defensive work to do. He’s just playing really well, definitely dangerous and he still seemed to come up with big plays when they needed it tonight. He’s definitely a threat.”

There was a similar response from Panthers great Greg Alexander, who was asked pre-game by Jess Yates which Melbourne player he was most worried about.

“Well, Cameron Munster, Cameron Munster and Cameron Munster,” Alexander replied.

That and “who ended up playing fullback”.

Unfortunately for Alexander and the Panthers, that also ended up being Munster and he backed up last week’s three-try effort against the Titans with another impressive display.

Munster ran for 142 meters at the back to go with five tackle busts two linebreak assists and also kicked for 537, filling the void left by halfback Jahrome Hughes.

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Cameron Munster starred at fullback. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

“It’s been handy this year,” Bellamy said of having the option of playing Munster at fullback.

“The last few months or so with Paps being out and Nick missing a week. He’s certainly a different character Munster but he’s a great guy to have around the club and obviously one hell of a player.

“We’re fairly lucky to have him. The other big thing about him is he’s such a competitor. He just competes in everything at training and in games. That’s what makes him what he is.”

Bellamy admitted there may have been a point earlier in Munster’s career where he may have wanted a greater say in what position he played.

But this is a more mature Munster, one who is “just happy to play a role that’s best for the team”.

‘Ludicrous’ – Brandy hits back | 01:49

“Earlier in his career he’d probably have a say or opinion on it,” Bellamy said.

“But I think now, and I haven’t actually spoke to him too closely about it, he just usually says wherever you think I fit best in the team, I’m going to do that.

“Wherever the team needs him, he’s quite happy to do that. I think he really enjoys playing fullback because it gives him a little bit more freedom but he’s just happy to play a role that’s best for the team. It just shows how much he’s matured.”

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Casualty Ward, Round 22, injuries, ins and outs, return dates, Liam Martin, Penrith Panthers

The Panthers have suffered yet another injury blow to their already-depleted stocks, with Liam Martin rolling his ankle in Thursday night’s clash with the Storm.

Martin suffered the injury in the second half and hobbled from the field in clear pain, supported by two trainers.

The 25-year-old Blues star later hobbled to the bench using crutches, and was seen with ice wrapped around his ankle.

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INJURED IN ROUND 22

Liam Martin (ankle) – TBC

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Liam Martin copped a painful ankle injury in another blow to the Panthers.Source: FOX SPORTS

FULL CASUALTY WARD

BRONCOS

Jordan Pereira (illness) – TBC

Albert Kelly (foot) – Round 22

TC Robati (arm) – Round 22

Herbie Farnworth (biceps) – indefinite

Patrick Carrigan (suspension) – Round 25

raiders

Ryan Sutton (head knock) – Round 22

Xavier Savage (ankle) – Round 22

Joseph Tapine (ribs) – Round 23

Nick Cotric (suspended) – Round 23

Harry Rushton (jaw) – Round 25

Jarrod Croker (shoulder) – season

Josh Hodgson (knee) – season

Harley Smith-Shields (knee) – season

Buzz: Roosters have looming cap issues | 04:08

BULLDOGS

Paul Alamoti (cheekbone) – Round 22

Ava Seumanufagai (calf) – Round 22

Tevita Pangai Jnr (personal reasons) – Round 23

Corey Waddell (suspension) – Round 25

Corey Allan (groin) – Round 25

Reece Hoffman (hand) – Round 25

Luke Thompson (concussion) – indefinite

Jack Hetherington (shoulder) – season

Billy Tsikrikas (knee) – season

SHARKS

Royce Hunt (shoulder) – Round 22

Connor Tracey (head knock) – Round 23

Matt Moylan (quad) – Round 23

Sione Katoa (pectoral) – season

Jack Williams (shoulder) – season

TITANS

Joe Vuna (knee) – indefinite

Shallin Fuller (leg) – season

Aaron Booth (knee) – season

Cleary backs NRL over Stuart suspension | 02:44

BE EAGLES

Josh Aloiai (knee) – Round 22

Kieran Foran (hamstring) – Round 22

Taniela Paseka (knee) – Round 23

Sean Keppie (shoulder) – TBC

Tom Trbojevic (shoulder) – season

Karl Lawton (knee) – season

STORM

Nick Meaney (shoulder) – Round 22

Justin Olam (Covid) – Round 22

Jahrome Hughes (shoulder) – Round 23-24

Felise Kaufusi (personal reasons) – TBC

Tepai Moeroa (shoulder) – Round 23

Trent Loiero (back) – indefinite

Ryan Papenhuyzen (knee) – season

Reimis Smith (pectoral) – season

Christian Welch (Achilles) – season

George Jennings (knee) – season

KNIGHTS

Jake Clifford (arm) – TBC

Mitch Barnett (thumb) – TBC

Edrick Lee (foot) – TBC

Hymel Hunt (abductor) – TBC

Lachlan Fitzgibbon (shoulder) – TBC

Kurt Mann (quad) – Round 22

Chris Vea’ila (leg) – indefinite

Kalyn Ponga (concussion) – indefinite

Bailey Hodgson (elbow) – season

Dylan Lucas (pectoral) – season

COWBOYS

Jordan McLean (hamstring) – Round 22

Kyle Feldt (hamstring) – Round 23

Mitch Dunn (knee) – season

Heilum Luki (knee) – season

EELS

Bailey Simonsson (hamstring) – Round 22

Mitchell Moses (finger) – Round 24-25

Nathan Brown (finger) – TBC

Haze Dunster (knee) – season

Ray Stone (knee) – season

PANTHERS

Taylan May (shoulder) – Round 23-24

James Fisher-Harris (suspended) – Round 24

Jarome Luai (knee) – finals

Nathan Cleary (suspension) – finals

Liam Martin (ankle) – TBC

Do Panthers deserve ‘arrogant’ tag? | 03:03

RABBITOHS

Peter Mamouzelos (wrist) – Round 22

Hame Sele (hamstring) – Round 22

Thomas Burgess (groin) – Round 23

Campbell Graham (cheekbone) – Round 23

Jed Cartwright (hamstring) – Round 23

Kodi Nikorima (hamstring) – Round 24

Michael Chee Kam (thumb) – Round 25

Liam Knight (knee) – season

Jacob Host (shoulder) – season

dragons

Cody Ramsey (knee) – Round 22-23

Jayden Sullivan (shoulder) – Round 23

Mikaele Ravalawa (hamstring) – finals

Moses Suli (ankle) – finals

Tariq Sims (suspended) – finals

ROOSTERS

Sam Verrills (head knock) – Round 22

Egan Butcher (suspended) – Round 22

Lindsay Collins (concussion) – Round 23

Siosiua Taukeiaho (cheekbone) – Round 23

Billy Smith (knee) – season

Sitili Tupouniua (knee) – season

WARRIORS

Aaron Pene (leg) – Round 23

Jesse Arthars (quad) – Round 23

Chanel Harris-Tavita (knee) – Round 23

Ben Murdoch-Masila (elbow) – Round 24-25

Jazz Tevaga (shoulder) – season

Ronald Volkman (shoulder) – season

TIGERS

Luke Garner (neck) – Round 22-23

Tommy Talau (knee) – Round 24-25

Stefano Utoikamanu (wrist) – Round 24-25

Luke Brooks (calf) – Round 25

Jackson Hastings (ankle) – season

Alex Twal (concussion) – season

Shawn Blore (ACL) – season

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Roosters salary cap crisis, seven players earn half of cap, James Tedesco, Luke Keary, Joseph Manu, Angus Crichton

The Sydney Roosters are facing a salary cap crisis with reports $5.2 million of their salary cap is tied up in seven players with others set for contract upgrades in 2023.

The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield revealed the Roosters have seven players in the NRL’s 100 highest players, which could provide a problem when some rising stars gain contract upgrades in the off-season.

“We have come up with the 100 highest paid players in the competition and what it does show is the Roosters with their list are going to have some cap pressure,” Rothfield said on NRL 360.

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“In 2022 they have got Tedesco on $1.1m, Luke Keary on $850,000, Joseph Manu ($720k), Jared Waerea-Hargreaves ($700k), Angus Crichton ($700k), Sio Siua Taukeiaho ($625k) and Victor Radley ( $510k) for a total of $5,205,000.

“The cap in 2021 is only $9.4 million so there is a lot of under paid players there.

“The problem for the Roosters is next year they have got to chuck Brandon Smith into that and you have also got to throw Joseph Suaalii into that who is on $700,000 next year.

“The other issue is Sam Walker is off-contract next year and as you know there aren’t many great young halves around, so he is going to have to get some serious money.”

Paul Kent questioned how the Roosters can pay the other 23 players in their squad less than half of what their seven highest paid stars earn.

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James Tedesco is one of seven Roosters stars in the top 100 highest paid NRL players.Source: Getty Images

“How do you get 23 more players in on $4.2 million?” Kent asked.

“That is a lot of money in seven players.”

Braith Anasta asked Rothfield if he believes the Roosters will have to let some of their big earners go to build a successful team for 2023.

“Are you saying that the Roosters are in some salary cap pressure and they are going to find it hard to keep everyone next year?” Anasta asked.

Rothfield spoke to Roosters boss Nick Politis about the state of the Roosters salary cap heading into 2023.

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PK: ‘The fact is players get injured!’ | 02:24

“Angus Crichton is not on that list and his contract hasn’t been registered yet for 2023, so if you put Angus Crichton in you are going up to nearly $6 million,” Rothfield said.

“I spoke to Nick Politis today and his position on the salary cap is this. Boyd Cordner was medically retired which took $720,000 out of their salary cap.

“There were some minor players they let go in Sam Verills, Ronald Volkman, Lachlan Lam, Siosiua Taukeiaho and Daniel Suluka-Fifita went to Souths.

“So they have probably lost $1.5 million with those players including Taukeiaho.

“I still think it is going to be a squeeze, without setting alarm bells for their players or fans I think there are a few that are going to have to be tapped.”

Do Panthers deserve ‘arrogant’ tag? | 03:03

However, Brent Read revealed the salary cap is set to rise by $1.5 million at least for 2023 and beyond.

“We should say the cap hasn’t been set for next year and it will go up,” Read said.

“There is a big meeting on Thursday between the NRL and the club CEO’s about the salary cap.

“I think it will go up to at least $12 million next year.”

However, Anasta believes as it stands it looks like some players will have to take pay cuts to keep the team together.

“In looking at that they can’t really be in the market for anyone,” Anasta said.

“They are unlikely to be looking for new players and a few players may have to take pay cuts if they want to stay there it would seem by the numbers.”

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Penrith coach Ivan Cleary supports NRL decision to suspend Ricky Stuart

Penrith coach Ivan Cleary threw his support behind the one-week suspension for Canberra Raiders mentor Ricky Stuart after his post-match verbal attack on Panther Jaeman Salmon, declaring the NRL handled the situation “pretty well”.

Stuart has been banned from all coaching duties, including any interaction with his players, for a week and personally fined $25,000 for calling Salmon a “weak-gutted dog” after the Panthers’ win over the Raiders last weekend.

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Salmon kicked Raider Tom Starling in the groin during the game, for which he was fined $1000, sparking the reaction from Stuart who subsequently apologised.

Cleary said Salmon and his family had been “rattled” and the NRL’s punishment for Stuart was sufficient as he became the first coach banned for post-match comments.

“As a club, we support the NRL,” Cleary said.

“It’s been handled pretty well by the NRL. I think (the penalty) is fair.

“We’ve been sticking close to Jaeman this week and hopefully he and everyone else can move on.”

Penrith Panthers coach Ivan Cleary has backed Ricky Stuart’s ban. Picture: Jonathan NgSource: News Corp Australia

Salmon, who will again start as Penrith five-eighth in a blockbuster showdown with Melbourne at home on Thursday night, is yet to speak publicly on the issue.

But Cleary said the week’s drama wouldn’t impact Salmon’s performance and he had been in better spirits at training after being taken aback by Stuart’s outburst.

“He was a bit rattled on the night,” Cleary said.

“He was also a bit concerned about his family. They were quite upset, so I guess when that happens, it brings it to another level.

“But this week he’s seemed OK… He’s shown he’s pretty strong-minded.

Jaeman Salmon was rattled by Stuart’s comments. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

“He’s a really popular member of the team on and off the field. We love him.

“We certainly thought it was best if he just kept his head down and just let it blow over and got on with his footy.

“It’s a really important game for him and the club tomorrow night.”

Penrith can seal a second minor premiership in three seasons with victory over the Storm.

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Ricky Stuart spray, Jaeman Salmon history, Ricky Stuart son, Cronulla Sharks juniors, Penrith Panthers, weak gutted dog, news

NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo has confirmed an investigation will be launched into Ricky Stuart’s stunning spray aimed at Panthers young gun Jaeman Salmon — as details of the history between the pair has been revealed.

Speaking on the Big Sports Breakfast, Abdo said the NRL Integrity Unit would be looking into the matter, and The Daily Telegraph’s Buzz Rothfield also explained ARLC chairman Peter V’landys is “aware of the full background”.

The bad-blood reportedly stems from Salmon’s time in the Cronulla Sharks junior system 12-years-ago and an incident with Stuart’s son, who played in the same team, according to the SMH.

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Stuart’s son was reportedly reduced to tears following an incident with Salmon in 2010.

Stuart then made comments which saw Salmon’s father get involved.

The dads then had a heated exchange and had to be separated.

“Not pleasant, I spoke to Ricky late last night and I have spoken to him again this morning,” Rothfield said on the Big Sports Breakfast.

“He knows that this happened a long long time ago, involving junior football and his son and I think that is common knowledge.

“But Ricky last night chose the wrong platform to speak out about it, and his choice of words were probably inappropriate.”

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Rothfield also called for all parties to sit down and mediate the situation which has “lingered on for a long time”.

“I think they (NRL) will have to (investigate), I think there has been quite a significant public outrage over Ricky’s choice of words and again the platform of a press conference,” Rothfield said.

“They will certainly investigate it.

“I would like to see them do it properly and maybe get all parties involved, because it has obviously lingered on for a long time and it is not good for the game when things like that blow up like it did last night.”

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Stuart labeled the Panthers playmaker a “weak gutted dog” in his post-match press conference, referencing his previous run-ins with Salmon.

The 23-year-old was placed on report for kicking out at Canberra dummy-half Tom Starling in a tackle.

“But where Salmon kicked Tommy (Starling), it ain’t on,” Stuart said.

Canberra Raiders press conference | 06:28

“I have had history with that kid (Salmon). I know that kid very well.

“He was a weak gutted dog as a kid and he hasn’t changed now. He is a weak gutted dog person now.”

Panthers coach Ivan Cleary chose not to respond to Stuart’s comments, and Rothfield explained the Raiders coach’s biggest problem is his inability to control his emotions.

“I am very close to Ricky and we know how emotional he gets,” Rothfield said.

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“Ricky’s biggest problem as a football coach and even when he was a player, he is one of those guys that gets so emotionally worked up.

“He has never been good at controlling those emotions, and you can say it wasn’t in the heat of battle, but after you have lost an important game you are still worked up.

“You aren’t thinking as clearly.

“I am not defending him at all, but it is a difficult one for the NRL to manage, I know Peter V’landys is aware of the full background so it is going to be an important story.”

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Ricky Stuart calls Jaeman Salmon a weak gutted dog, press conference video, Raiders vs Panthers, NRL news, scores

Ricky Stuart launched a stunning tirade at Penrith Panthers five-eighth Jaeman Salmon after he was placed on report for a kick aimed at Canberra Raiders hooker Tom Starling.

In the 60th minute Salmon lashed out with his boot after he was tackled by Starling.

“He has got one in the lunch box and one on the chin,” Michael Ennis said.

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Stuart was fuming at Salmon in a stunning outburst in his press conference after the 26-6 defeat.

“The James Fisher-Harris and Joe Tapine tackles are accidents and in this coalition game I understand that,” Stuart said.

“But where Salmon kicked Tommy (Starling), it ain’t on.

“I have had history with that kid (Salmon). I know that kid very well.

“He was a weak gutted dog as a kid and he hasn’t changed now. He is a weak gutted dog person now.”

Watch Ricky Stuart’s visceral spray in the video player above

Panthers coach Ivan Cleary was asked about the tackle and Stuart’s comments in his press conference.

“I don’t know, it is hard to see on our small screen,” Cleary said.

“I can’t imaging Jaeman would have deliberately done that, but I honestly didn’t see it.

“I don’t think I need to respond to those comments (from Stuart.”

“I know what Jaeman is like and he is valuable in our club and we love him, so that is all that matters to us.”

Originally published as ‘Weak gutted dog’: Ricky Stuart’s stunning spray aimed at Panthers star Jaeman Salmon over low blow

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Ricky Stuart calls Jaeman Salmon a weak gutted dog, kick to groin, Tom Starling, Raiders vs Panthers, Round 21

Ricky Stuart launched a stunning tirade at Panthers five-eighth Jaeman Salmon after he was placed on report for a kick aimed at Raiders hooker Tom Starling.

In the 60th minute Salmon lashed out with his boot after he was tackled by Starling.

“He has got one in the lunch box and one on the chin,” Michael Ennis said.

Stream every game of every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

Stuart was fuming at Salmon in a stunning outburst in his press conference after the 26-6 defeat.

“The James Fisher-Harris and Joe Tapine tackles are accidents and in this coalition game I understand that,” Stuart said.

“But where Salmon kicked Tommy (Starling), it ain’t on.

“I have had history with that kid (Salmon). I know that kid very well.

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Jaeman Salmon and Ricky Stuart.Source: FOX SPORTS

“He was a weak gutted dog as a kid and he hasn’t changed now. He is a weak gutted dog person now.”

Panthers coach Ivan Cleary was asked about the tackle and Stuart’s comments in his press conference.

“I don’t know, it is hard to see on our small screen,” Cleary said.

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“I can’t imaging Jaeman would have deliberately done that, but I honestly didn’t see it.

“I don’t think I need to respond to those comments (from Stuart.”

“I know what Jaeman is like and he is valuable in our club and we love him, so that is all that matters to us.”

Canberra Raiders press conference | 06:28

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