Jed Stuart speaks out as father Ricky could be forced to axe son for NRL finals
Tamale was in 'rookie of the year' calculations until suffering a dislocated kneecap in horror scenes during Canberra's big win over the Rabbitohs in June. Tamale scored six tries in his 14 games for the Raiders before suffering the injury. And he was leading the competition in tackle busts at one point during a brilliant start to his Canberra career, having played one NRL game with the Dragons in 2024.
Tamale is expected to return for the Raiders in their round 26 clash against the Wests Tigers, in what will be a massive boost for the Raiders before the finals. But it also puts the Canberra coach in a tricky situation, with his son the most likely player to be dropped when Tamale returns.
"It'll probably be hard on him but I'll take none of it personally," Jed said about the selection dilemma facing his father and coach. "Whoever the coaching staff pick to go there will do a job, which I think is what me and 'Savie' have both proved.
"We're there to do a job and we've both done a pretty good one. If he goes in over me and whatnot, I'm happy with what the coaching staff have picked. I just want the team to win."
It's the sort of mentality that Canberra's coach will love to hear from his players, and goes a long way to explaining they lead the competition. The Raiders have won six of the seven games that the young Stuart has played for them in the NRL this season, scoring four tries on the left wing after being drafted in to replace Tamale.
Jed Stuart has impressed in the absence of star teammate
And he'll get another shot to press his claims to retain the starting spot on Friday night when the Raiders play four-time reigning premiers Penrith in Mudgee. The Raiders are unchanged from the team that beat Manly before last week's bye and a win against the Panthers will go a long way to securing the club's first minor premiership since 1900.
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The rise of Stuart Jr. has been one of many success stories in the nation's capital this season, and the 24-year-old admits it's been 'unreal' to realise his dream of playing in the NRL. "You've been dreaming about playing NRL your whole life, then finally doing it and actually getting a good stint of games, it's unreal," Stuart told AAP.
The rangy winger - who is 20cm taller than his famous father - is physically very different from the Raiders coach and three-time premiership-winning halfback who is a club legend at Canberra. But he's always shared a similar love of the Raiders as his dad, even if the young Stuart doesn't wear his emotions on his sleeve quite as much.
"His passion for the club rubs off on me, especially at home," the 24-year-old said. "Our whole family loves it here. I'm not to the extent where I'll get emotional talking about little things like he does, but I care a lot."
with AAP
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