Stuart-Salmon feud is not the NRL’s problem to solve

Suggestions over the weekend that the NRL should get Canberra coach Ricky Stuart, Penrith utility Jaeman Salmon and their families together to sort out an old feud seem over the top.
 

The NRL is not a counselling service.
 

In the wake of Stuart’s totally inappropriate and explosive “weak-gutted dog” post-game press conference comment, it’s been suggested that the NRL should get all parties together in a bid to resolve the issue.
  

The NRL needs to investigate Stuart’s outburst, which will involve hearing details of what prompted the stunning attack on Salmon.
 

But it should keep its nose out of family squabbles.
  

It has enough on its hands already dealing with issues within the game without delving into family feuds of coaches which go back 12 years and involve incidents with their siblings.
  

“I regret saying what I did on that platform after the game,” Stuart said in a statement over the weekend.
  

Stuart’s apology — not directed to Salmon — followed an emotional spray at the post-press conference on Saturday after his side’s 26-6 loss to Penrith which dropped the Raiders out of the top eight.
  

“We were disappointed by the comments of Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart after what was a fantastic game of football for the Panthers and our son, Jaeman,” the family said in a statement.


”We were surprised by Ricky’s claim that he knows Jaeman personally as they have had no contact since Jae was 12 years old.


“We are calling on the NRL to take action as we believe Jaeman has been wronged in this situation.
  

“We will follow the correct procedures and let the NRL complete a thorough investigation.”
  

They have not ruled out taking legal action.   

No stranger to public outbursts as a coach, Stuart clearly overstepped the mark when he used the NRL’s media platform to attack a player because of something that happened between Salmon and his son some years ago.
  

Salmon was keen to respond to Stuart’s claim but was wisely gagged by the Penrith Panthers before the whole affair turned even uglier.
  

However, his distressed and upset family understandably responded with their own statement yesterday, calling on the NRL to take strong action against Stuart.


Stuart, who as a player and now a coach has always worn his heart on his sleeve, has racked up more than $100,000 in fines for his emotional outbursts.
  

He is passionate and outspoken, and those traits got the better of him in the aftermath of a costly loss that may have ended Canberra’s 2022 season.
  
But there’s no excuse.
  

Attacking someone because of a long family feud — or anyone, for that matter — the way he did in a public forum is not on.
  

Imagine if every coach, player, trainer or official could air his feelings in that manner?
  

The NRL must make sure everyone involved in the game gets the message that there are boundaries and if you cross the line, you will pay a hefty price.
  

In the past, Stuart has been fined for similar indiscretions, but on this occasion, the Canberra coach may find himself suspended.
  

We can only speculate on whether or not Ricky regrets what he said, but he surely regrets the forum in which he said it.
  

To suggest the NRL should get all parties together to resolve the feud is going too far.
  

It’s not the league’s job to be a family counselling service.
  

It’s the league’s job to make sure those within its organisation behave within the rules and expectations, which Stuart clearly did not.

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