‘Ridiculous’: coach slams ACT government over stadium
Sebastian Tan |
Ricky Stuart has labelled the ACT government as disrespectful, piling fresh pressure on them to act as the GIO Stadium debacle continues.
Dry conditions are expected for Canberra’s home NRL clash against Cronulla on Sunday as they look to bounce back from a tense 14-10 loss against Canterbury.
But what overshadowed the round-three defeat was the condition of their home venue, as torrential rain caused leaks in the changerooms and Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo needing stitches after glass shattered on him.
Stuart called the stadium “shithouse” post match, and Ciraldo later declared the venue had not contacted him about the incident.
The saga added to calls for the ACT government to replace or rebuild the stadium, but the territory’s chief minister Andrew Barr, pushed back, saying there are other rectangular football venues in the city.
‘It’s ridiculous,” coach Stuart said in response to those comments on Saturday.
“It’s a throwaway line showing disrespect to the club.
“I’ve got no control over how people handle those types of situations or scenarios, but everybody out there understands my feelings towards this stadium.”
Stuart is instead focusing on their Sharks clash and a potential debut for 21-year-old Joe Roddy.
Without the destructive Josh Papali’i after he copped a one-match suspension for a high shot, the Raiders coach has thrust Roddy onto the bench while Englishman Morgan Smithies moves into the No.8 jersey.
Canberra face a steep task, as when Papali’i was missing from the Raiders’ round-two clash against the Warriors and the Kiwis ran out 40-6 winners.
But Stuart believes he has the team to get the job done.
“We’ve got some good leaders there, and senior boys in the middle … It (Papali’i’s suspension) gives another guy a great opportunity in Joe Roddy,” he said.
“Joe’s earned his position … I’ve been watching him for a number of years now, as a young player, developing and maturing into the player he is today.
“He’s just a hard-working kid who is easy to coach. What you ask of Joe, you get, and he’s going to have a big career with the Raiders.”
Cronulla will be desperate to turn around their sluggish form, which was compounded by a 38-10 thumping against the Dolphins last Saturday.
“The challenge (against Canberra) is always hard, and maybe that’s what we need at the moment,” newly re-signed Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon said.
“Going toe-to-toe with a top club like Canberra can put us in the right direction, and we’re looking forward to it.”
AAP