Coach – Ricky Stuart (2014-current)
After a legendary playing career for the Raiders (203 games from 1988 to 1998, with three premierships), Stuart’s had a mixed coaching career. He coached a powerful Sydney Roosters team to the 2002 premiership, but never reached the same heights in other stints with Cronulla-Sutherland and Parramatta. He coached NSW in nine Origins from 2005 to 2012, during Queensland’s run of eight straight titles. His Australian coaching career ended controversially in 2008 after losing the Rugby League World Cup final. He replaced former teammate David Furner as Raiders coach in 2014. While the Raiders missed the finals in 2014 and 2015, Stuart’s passion for the club was obvious. It was rewarded as the Raiders made the 2016 preliminary final and 2019 grand final. With Canberra struggling to compete with rich Sydney clubs (and losing Anthony Milford to the Broncos), Stuart’s plan to look overseas was genius, signing the likes of Josh Hodgson, Elliott Whitehead, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Elliott Whitehead, Ryan Sutton, John Bateman, and George Williams. Hopefully a premiership is the payoff for all that hard work.
