'He'll play for Australia': Stuart's not-so Strange tip
Unknown to most NRL fans before the season's start, Strange bagged a spectacular try-scoring hat-trick in Friday night's 28-12 win over Manly to lead the Raiders back to the top of the NRL ladder.
But it wasn't merely the tries, but more the manner in which he scored them - and when - that drew lavish praise from his veteran coach.
After collecting Canberra's opening try in the 10th minute, Strange took the game by the scruff off the neck when the Raiders found themselves behind on the scoreboard midway through the second half.
First he took on and beat the Manly defence to storm over in the 54th minute.
Then Strange skilfully reeled in an audacious flick pass from coach Stuart's son Jed down the left wing to realistically put the game beyond Manly's reach.
"He's got qualities of a representative player already as a young person, and I don't say that outlandishly," Stuart said.
"For a young player such as Ethan to be able to give off energy to his teammates is similar to Laurie Daley when Laurie was a young player."
With a favourable run home, Canberra are fast firming to claim their first premiership since Stuart and Daley were at the forefront of the legendary Green Machine that won three between 1989 and 1994.
But Stuart is predicting even greater honours for Strange - and doesn't mind sharing his thoughts.
"I've got a very strong opinion of where he's going to go as a player," the former Blues coach and premiership-winning mentor said.
"You look at his game today to where he started with us a year and a half, two years ago, 25, 30 games into his career.
"He's got an unbelievable future. I think he'll play for Australia this year and he'll be our next five-eighth for NSW.
"And I don't sit here gloating. I don't sit here as a happy coach saying that. I firmly believe that.
"He's got Origin attitude the way he defends, the way he runs the football.
"He's got qualities of a representative player already as a young person and, as I say, I don't say that outlandishly."
Stuart said he was unconcerned about placing such heady expectations on the young super talent.
"I know I'm talking about big shoes to fill and (people will say), 'You're putting too much pressure on Ethan'. Bad luck, he'll handle it,'' the coach said.
"If you're ever going to make it in this game, you've got to handle pressure, and he will."
Raiders captain Joseph Tapine agrees Strange is something special.
"He's strong as well," Tapine said.
"And he's still young in his communication stage as well. When he starts to come out of his shell and open up and starts talking a bit more, it's going to go to another level.
"So it's impressive where he is at the moment, but exciting where he can get to soon."
In an extraordinary show of support, Ricky Stuart is tipping "Laurie Daley-like" sensation Ethan Strange to wear the troublesome NSW State of Origin No.6 jumper in 2026.
Unknown to most NRL fans before the season's start, Strange bagged a spectacular try-scoring hat-trick in Friday night's 28-12 win over Manly to lead the Raiders back to the top of the NRL ladder.
But it wasn't merely the tries, but more the manner in which he scored them - and when - that drew lavish praise from his veteran coach.
After collecting Canberra's opening try in the 10th minute, Strange took the game by the scruff off the neck when the Raiders found themselves behind on the scoreboard midway through the second half.
First he took on and beat the Manly defence to storm over in the 54th minute.
Then Strange skilfully reeled in an audacious flick pass from coach Stuart's son Jed down the left wing to realistically put the game beyond Manly's reach.
"He's got qualities of a representative player already as a young person, and I don't say that outlandishly," Stuart said.
"For a young player such as Ethan to be able to give off energy to his teammates is similar to Laurie Daley when Laurie was a young player."
With a favourable run home, Canberra are fast firming to claim their first premiership since Stuart and Daley were at the forefront of the legendary Green Machine that won three between 1989 and 1994.
But Stuart is predicting even greater honours for Strange - and doesn't mind sharing his thoughts.
"I've got a very strong opinion of where he's going to go as a player," the former Blues coach and premiership-winning mentor said.
"You look at his game today to where he started with us a year and a half, two years ago, 25, 30 games into his career.
"He's got an unbelievable future. I think he'll play for Australia this year and he'll be our next five-eighth for NSW.
"And I don't sit here gloating. I don't sit here as a happy coach saying that. I firmly believe that.
"He's got Origin attitude the way he defends, the way he runs the football.
"He's got qualities of a representative player already as a young person and, as I say, I don't say that outlandishly."
Stuart said he was unconcerned about placing such heady expectations on the young super talent.
"I know I'm talking about big shoes to fill and (people will say), 'You're putting too much pressure on Ethan'. Bad luck, he'll handle it,'' the coach said.
"If you're ever going to make it in this game, you've got to handle pressure, and he will."
Raiders captain Joseph Tapine agrees Strange is something special.
"He's strong as well," Tapine said.
"And he's still young in his communication stage as well. When he starts to come out of his shell and open up and starts talking a bit more, it's going to go to another level.
"So it's impressive where he is at the moment, but exciting where he can get to soon."
In an extraordinary show of support, Ricky Stuart is tipping "Laurie Daley-like" sensation Ethan Strange to wear the troublesome NSW State of Origin No.6 jumper in 2026.
Unknown to most NRL fans before the season's start, Strange bagged a spectacular try-scoring hat-trick in Friday night's 28-12 win over Manly to lead the Raiders back to the top of the NRL ladder.
But it wasn't merely the tries, but more the manner in which he scored them - and when - that drew lavish praise from his veteran coach.
After collecting Canberra's opening try in the 10th minute, Strange took the game by the scruff off the neck when the Raiders found themselves behind on the scoreboard midway through the second half.
First he took on and beat the Manly defence to storm over in the 54th minute.
Then Strange skilfully reeled in an audacious flick pass from coach Stuart's son Jed down the left wing to realistically put the game beyond Manly's reach.
"He's got qualities of a representative player already as a young person, and I don't say that outlandishly," Stuart said.
"For a young player such as Ethan to be able to give off energy to his teammates is similar to Laurie Daley when Laurie was a young player."
With a favourable run home, Canberra are fast firming to claim their first premiership since Stuart and Daley were at the forefront of the legendary Green Machine that won three between 1989 and 1994.
But Stuart is predicting even greater honours for Strange - and doesn't mind sharing his thoughts.
"I've got a very strong opinion of where he's going to go as a player," the former Blues coach and premiership-winning mentor said.
"You look at his game today to where he started with us a year and a half, two years ago, 25, 30 games into his career.
"He's got an unbelievable future. I think he'll play for Australia this year and he'll be our next five-eighth for NSW.
"And I don't sit here gloating. I don't sit here as a happy coach saying that. I firmly believe that.
"He's got Origin attitude the way he defends, the way he runs the football.
"He's got qualities of a representative player already as a young person and, as I say, I don't say that outlandishly."
Stuart said he was unconcerned about placing such heady expectations on the young super talent.
"I know I'm talking about big shoes to fill and (people will say), 'You're putting too much pressure on Ethan'. Bad luck, he'll handle it,'' the coach said.
"If you're ever going to make it in this game, you've got to handle pressure, and he will."
Raiders captain Joseph Tapine agrees Strange is something special.
"He's strong as well," Tapine said.
"And he's still young in his communication stage as well. When he starts to come out of his shell and open up and starts talking a bit more, it's going to go to another level.
"So it's impressive where he is at the moment, but exciting where he can get to soon."
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The Advertiser
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Spencer Leniu sparks wild NRL brawl as four players binned during Roosters' big win over Dolphins
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News.com.au
11 hours ago
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‘Absolute carnage' Spencer Leniu sparks mayhem in Roosters vs Dolphins
The high stakes NRL clash between the Roosters and Dolphins has witnessed some absolute carnage courtesy of Spencer Leniu losing his cool in wild scenes. It was a must win game on Saturday with both teams desperate to keep their finals hopes alive with a victory over their fellow top eight fancies. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. The Roosters got off to a flyer courtesy of an early double to high flying winger Mark Nawaqanitawase within the first 10 minutes. But tensions boiled over after Nawaqanitawase's second try, when his Roosters teammate Leniu made a beeline for Dolphins forward Aublix Tawha. While the Roosters were celebrating the try, Leniu's eyes widened and he gestured to Tawha that he was ready to throw hands and punch on there and then. Players from both teams flocked over in the in-goal, prompting an all-in melee. Watch the fiery carnage in the video above Referee Gerard Sutton had no choice but to send Leniu to the sin bin. Roosters player Naufahu Whyte, Tawha and Francis Molo were also sent to the bin for their roles in the argy bargy. Fox League commentator Warren Smith said: 'Leniu coming across says, 'Let's go'. Well that's ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous behaviour by Spencer Leniu. 'Spencer Leniu sparked that situation. It's a game of soccer, 11 vs 11. How do you explain the behaviour of Spencer Leniu. What is Tawha supposed to do?' Leniu appeared to be aggrieved by a tackle early in the game when Tawha crunched Roosters centre Billy Smith in a hard hit that went unpenalised. Leniu ran over from the other side of the field to let his feelings known to Tawha. Michael Ennis added: 'He's lost his cool here Spencer. Tawha off the kick off was really physical and Spencer Leniu took a disliking to it. 'It's been a brilliant start by the Roosters, but this is season on the line. Both sides down to 11, can you believe it?' The drama continued when Siua Wong was knocked out in a head clash with Kurt Donoghoe, who was bumped into the tackle by teammate Oryn Keeley. The Bunker and referee ruled the Dolphins tackles were legal and ruled a knock on against Wong, much to the disbelief of Roosters captain James Tedesco. Smith said in commentary: 'Sia Wong has been knocked out cold. This is old school. This has turned the clock back to the days of Arthur Beetson. 'These are scenes we don't see in the modern game.' Ennis said: 'It's been absolute carnage to start this game.' The Roosters composed themselves and scored six tries in the first half to lead 36-6 at the break. The Tricolours trail the Dolphins by two points on the ladder. Leniu burst through the Dolphins' defensive line to score a strong try, shushing the crowd after he had plenty to say early in the game. Cooper Cronk said on Fox League: 'The player of the first half was Spencer Leniu — did some good things and some bad things.'
