A decade-long feud between Ricky Stuart and Jaeman Salmon is believed to be the reason behind the
Canberra coach’s extraordinary attack on the Penrith playmaker.
It is believed the animosity between the two stretches as far back as 2010 after an incident involving Stuart’s son and Salmon in an under 12’s game in the Shire.
Stuart’s son was left in tears after the run in with Salmon. When Stuart and Salmon’s father got involved, the two had to be separated as the incident became heated.
The Raiders coach has since apologised for calling Salmon a “weak gutted dog” for lashing out in a tackle by Canberra hooker Tom Starling but refused to detail the ‘history’ between the two families.
An emotional Stuart spoke of his regret over his extraordinary press conference blow up in Canberra on Saturday night.
In a statement, Stuart said: “I regret saying what I did on that platform after the game. I was speaking as a father and not as a football coach.
“My reaction was to a family situation that I thought I had dealt with, clearly I haven’t.
“I allowed my emotions to get the better of me and for that I am very sorry.