Canberra coach Ricky Stuart has urged Wests Tigers directors to give embattled NRL coach Mick Potter another year in the top job despite delivering the club its sixth straight loss on Saturday.
“Patience” was the word of the night from Stuart, who went into bat for Potter just minutes after a woeful Wests Tigers outfit slumped to a 27-12 loss to the Raiders at Canberra’s GIO Stadium.
With Potter off-contract at the end of the season, Tigers directors will decide whether to give him a third season after next weekend’s final round clash against wooden-spooners Cronulla.
While Stuart admitted the pressure was still on himself to deliver at Canberra, he insisted coaches needed patience and stability from clubs before they could deliver results.
“There’s pressure on us every week. Of course, I believe they should (give Potter another shot),” Stuart said.
“I’m very fortunate that I’ve got stability in this club.”
Potter said he would just let the decision run its course.
“I’m happy doing what I’m doing and I’ll find out soon enough,” he said.
Tigers skipper Robbie Farah admitted a win next week would lift some pressure off the whole club – not just Potter.
“It would be nice for everyone involved to get a win,” he said.
“We’re down on confidence and down on belief. You can probably see that.
“I can’t contemplate going into an off-season having lost seven in a row.”