Canberra leaders Terry Campese and David Shillington have quashed reports a player revolt led to the sacking of David Furner.
Furner became the first head coach to be sacked in the Raiders’ 32-year history on Tuesday.
Mixed messages have come out of the Raiders camp since, including that the axing occurred after a group of players expressed discontent to the club’s board about Furner’s decision to stand by troubled centre Blake Ferguson.
However club captain Campese labelled those allegations as false on a video put up on the club’s website.
Campese said while the players had gone down to the south coast to hold a players’ meeting on Tuesday night, they never got the chance to hold it as Furner was sacked earlier that day.
Campese didn’t elaborate on what the meeting was scheduled to discuss, but said Furner was aware of it.
“All these accusations that there was a nine-player revolt, or all these players confronted the board, that never happened,” Campese said.
“There’s been a lot of speculation over the last couple of days. The board will have their reasons.”
With Campese out injured with an eye injury, Shillington is standing in as a Raiders’ co-captain.
In the same video he labelled the media’s reporting of the sacking as disappointing.
“For it to focus on Blake Ferguson and a player revolt is unfair and untrue,” Shillington said.
“There’s been talk about a nine player meeting, and a player revolt.
“They aren’t the main reasons why it happened, there’s a whole lot of things that go into a football club.
“It’s a shame it’s been reported that way.”
Meanwhile Furner has told Fairfax media he was disappointed to be abruptly sacked three weeks before the finals given the club has been a huge part of his life.
“You have a lot of mixed emotions, but I’m a lot clearer today,” Furner said.
“I told my family this morning we’ve been through more.”
He also refused to back down from his decision to stand by wayward star Ferguson.
“I’ve always made decisions on what I thought was best for the team at the time,” Furner said.
“I’ve supported Fergo. Has it contributed? It could have, but I’m not going to point fingers.”
The Raiders will now turn their attention to Sunday’s must-win clash against Manly in Canberra under the guidance of interim coach Andrew Dunemann.
Dunneman will address media on Thursday morning.