‘I’d do it again’: Stuart on media walkout

Canberra coach Ricky Stuart says he’d walk out on media again if his concerns about NRL refereeing aren’t addressed.

Stuart on Wednesday defended his decision to abandon a press conference 24 seconds in after Saturday’s loss to Brisbane, frustrated with recent decisions against his side.

He said coaches’ jobs depended on weekly results and not those over a six-month period, so emotions and frustration were to be expected post-match.

“But my reasoning for what I did at the weekend, I’d do it again, because this has been a build up of frustration,” Stuart told ABC Radio in Canberra.

“I’ve done all the right communications, through the right avenues and processes, with (NRL referees boss) Tony Archer but nothing gets done.

“I thought to myself, `I’ve been banging my head against a brick wall for a number of weeks now and nothing seems to get done. Why should I be sitting here talking when it’s probably going to be a lot better for my position to not continue?’.

“It has nothing to do with the media.”

The NRL is yet to announce if Stuart’s actions will be punished, with head of football Todd Greenberg set to decide later this week.

Raiders chief executive Don Furner said he hoped the club wouldn’t be fined.

“I spoke to Todd Greenberg two days ago and I know Rick has had conversations with Tony Archer,” Furner said.

“My understanding is he and one of the other referees will come down next week and hopefully they’ll clear things up that way, rather than through a fine.”

Asked if he supported Stuart’s actions on Saturday, Furner only replied: “What was said was said, and we’ll just deal with it if there’s a fine.

“We might come out and speak about it then, but hopefully there’s not.”

Furner said he hadn’t heard Stuart’s comments on ABC earlier in the morning, but said he would have a chat to him later on Wednesday.

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