Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has come under fire for his controversial post-match comments about Penrith Panthers five-eighth Jaeman Salmon.
Following the 26-6 loss to Penrith on Saturday, Stuart took aim at Salmon for what he perceived as a deliberate kick out at Tom Starling during the match.
The Raiders boss described the Panther as a "weak-gutted dog" in an extraordinary spray and revealed the two had some bad history.
Stuart's comments unsurprisingly garnered plenty of attention with former players Cooper Cronk and Corey Parker both critical of the coach's personal attack on Salmon.
“Ricky Stuart has been coaching in the game for 20 years and absolutely disgraceful comments from Ricky Stuart,” Parker said on Fox Sports.
"To publicly humiliate a player regardless of the situation on the field. That will be dealt with.
"He has got a position of power Ricky in the head coaching role. He has got a position of leading these men that look up to him to mentor in the right way and he has completely got that wrong.
"The words that he has used in regards to Salmon are completely out of line."
Have a feeling Ricky Stuart will be offering Salmon and his family an apology.
— The Oracle (@BigOtrivia) August 6, 2022
Can’t believe he thinks this is ok. pic.twitter.com/4lBT5RkRKw
Cronk added: “Yep, Salmon did something wrong on the field and that will be looked at and that’s done with let the judiciary deal with it.
"But I just don’t like that an opposition coach has publicly and personally had a crack at an opposition player. I just don’t like the look of that.
"The other part of this too is that Ricky is one of the greatest players of our game and I’m not sure what the history is. I have got no idea. But Salmon has played 40-odd games of first grade.
"The balance of power is a bit out of whack there. I think he could have kept his emotions in check and played it another way.
"But I just don’t like the fact an opposition coach publicly and personally has a crack at another player."
According to Channel 9’s Danny Weidler, Stuart is going to stand by his comments with Salmon now reportedly seeking legal advice.
The 26-6 loss for Canberra looms as a costly one with the side now two points behind eighth-placed Roosters, who also boast a far superior points difference.
Who is Jaeman Salmon?
Salmon has been around NRL circles for some time and is capable of playing in five-eighth, second-row and centre.
The 23-year-old grew up in Caringbah and played at junior level for the Sharks.
In 2017, Salmon signed a three-year deal with Parramatta Eels and made his NRL debut in August 2018.
Salmon struggled to play regularly for the Eels and was released at the end of 2020 with the Panthers ultimately picking him up.
After working his way into the side last season, the 23-year-old has featured in every game for Ivan Cleary's side in 2022.
