logo
‘It's a disgrace': Ricky Stuart blows up over Kyle Flanagan situation

‘It's a disgrace': Ricky Stuart blows up over Kyle Flanagan situation

News.com.au15 hours ago
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has launched a passionate defence of Dragons playmaker Kyle Flanagan after he was booed by the Canberra faithful during his side's 28-24 win.
FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer >
Raiders fans booed Flanagan as he lined up a conversion in the first half, but dad Shane was caught off-guard when questioned about it post match.
'Never heard it. What would the crowd be booing Kyle for?' Flanagan asked.
'Just kicking the conversion early in the game, they were quite passionate,' the journalist replied.
'I think they do that, so good on them, it's going to happen everywhere,' Flanagan said.
However, Stuart was fuming at the journalist over the question.
'Probably a poor question too when you ask Shane about his son,' Stuart said.
'I think it is a disgrace how you guys in the media are just absolutely bashing the kid publicly.
'And that question there about the booing, like honestly, I have got a son playing and that's my biggest fear, you people.
'Not him, but the media. The way he is being portrayed in the media at the moment that poor kid.
'I went up to him after the game and took him aside and spoke to him. I've known him since he has been a little boy.
'He was the leader tonight. He led the charge in terms of them getting back into that game.
'I think it is a disgrace that his so-called Dragons supporters, the social media and the bulls*** that he has to listen to and cop.
'It is something I just don't like. He is a better football player than he is being given credit for.
'The way that boy has handled that from a mental point of view to be able to turn up every week and he said, I'm tough enough I'll handle it.
'I know he is, but it's awful. He led the charge for them tonight and they nearly came back on the back of him to winning that game.'
Stuart accused the media of playing games with Flanagan.
'It becomes a game with the media reporting what social media says,' Stuart said.
'You have got to actually look at some of these people involved. It would be torture for his mother.
'I know his old man will handle it, but it would be torture for his mother. Can you imagine if it was one of yours. That's when it becomes real.'
Stuart echoed Flanagan's sentiments on the fans booing.
'Were they all Raiders fans were they?' Stuart said.
'They always boo goal kickers. How many games do you go to? I want them to boo their goal kicker. They can throw cans at him for all I care. I want them to boo a bloody goal kicker. That's their job.'
Braith Anasta blasted the question as an attempt from a reporter to get a reaction.
'Whoever asked that question, it is one of the stupidest questions I have ever heard,' Anasta said.
'They either know nothing about rugby league or they are just trying to incite a reaction.
'To ask a question about him being booed kicking a goal. Every player gets booed kicking a goal and this reporter has just singled Kyle out because he is in the media at the moment and has pressure on him and there is speculation about his position.
'It is really unprofessional from the reporter who asked that.'
Cooper Cronk agreed with Stuart that social media trolls don't deserve airtime.
'I agree with what Ricky said, about giving air time to people whose opinion don't really matter a hell of a lot,' Cronk said.
'You don't listen to people you don't talk to. I agree with what Ricky said. It was the right thing.
'But at the end of the day, people who love our game the fans, like I have been booed at every stadium I have gone to.'
Adam Reynolds believes it is harder for people close to players than the players sometimes.
'It is tougher on the external people around you,' Reynolds said.
'Like they said, his mother and sisters, they are the ones that have to deal with it on a daily basis as well.
'It is not just Kyle and the players who are getting targeted. It is the families.
'Social media is so out there these days that it is so easy to get access to players. It can come across a bit offensive at times, but if you read it and listen to it then you are in the wrong sport.'
Mal Meninga called for government action against social media abuse.
'I am not on social media for that very reason,' Meninga said.
'The question was stupid and good on Shane and Ricky for protecting young Kyle.
'I get frustrated because I am in the twilight of my life and players have to put up with that sort of crap and then it is the ripple effect.
'It is not just the individual it is everybody that knows him. The family and its stupid.
'They get away with anonymity of it all and not actually disclosing their names. I don't understand how they can do that. How they can come out and criticise people when their name is not to it.
'It is getting to a stage where the government has to do something about it.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Carl Veart appointed coach of Australia's under-17 team
Carl Veart appointed coach of Australia's under-17 team

The Australian

timean hour ago

  • The Australian

Carl Veart appointed coach of Australia's under-17 team

'Fatigued' after a lengthy and sometimes arduous stint as Adelaide United coach, Carl Veart is set for a much-needed reinvigoration in his new role in charge of Australia's under-17 team. Not offered a contract extension by Adelaide after five years as the club's A-League mentor, Veart's services were quickly up snapped by Football Australia, with his proven ability to develop and nurture young talent – including former Reds prodigy Nestory Irankunda – a key factor in his appointment. 'I (was) quite outspoken during my time at Adelaide about providing opportunities for young players,' Veart said on Monday from the Emerging Socceroos Championships in Bundoora. 'Before I was an A-League coach, I worked in this (youth) system for eight or nine years, working with those young players, so it's something that I'm very passionate about. 'I'm also very passionate about our national teams as well.' Veart, 55, said his new role had come at the 'right time' for him. 'I spent a long time in the A-League, and I started to fatigue with that a little bit, so this is a refresh for myself, and I'm really looking forward to the years ahead,' he said. 'The difference is now I'm working for tomorrow with young players. When you're working with senior players, it's all about the result and getting the result today. 'Now it's about providing these players with a strong platform to go on and have successful careers, and it's about giving them guidance and direction to what it takes to make that high level.' The former Socceroos striker was thrilled that several A-League clubs were giving younger players opportunities to shine. 'We've always said that up to 16-17 years of age, Australia does exceptionally well, and we needed to fix that gap from 17 to 20, and I think the A-League has done that, especially in the past 18 months,' Veart said. 'It's providing more opportunities for our younger players to get that exposure so they can develop quicker.' Read related topics: Adelaide Marco Monteverde Sports reporter Marco Monteverde is a Brisbane-based sports reporter for NCA Newswire. He worked in a similar role for The Courier-Mail from 2007 to 2020. During a journalism career of more than 25 years, he has also worked for The Queensland Times, The Sunshine Coast Daily, The Fraser Coast Chronicle and The North West Star. He has covered three FIFA World Cups and the 2000 Sydney Olympics, as well as a host of other major sporting events in Australia and around the world. @marcothejourno Marco Monteverde

Wimbledon 2025: Novak Djokovic vs. Alex de Minaur
Wimbledon 2025: Novak Djokovic vs. Alex de Minaur

News.com.au

timean hour ago

  • News.com.au

Wimbledon 2025: Novak Djokovic vs. Alex de Minaur

Alex de Minaur is out to spoil Novak Djokovic's party when the two lock horns in their round of 16 clash at Wimbledon. The 11th seeded Aussie will enter the contest as the underdog as Djokovic seeks to move a step closer to creating history. Djokovic vs. de Minaur preview Novak Djokovic is looking to create even more history as he chases a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam crown as the seven-time Wimbledon champion looks to break his tie with the long-retired Margaret Court. The sixth seeded Serbian has breezed dropped only one set through his opening three matches and set up a showdown against the 11th seeded Aussie by demolishing Davis Cup teammate Miomir Kecmanovic 6-3, 6-0, 6-4 in one hour and 47 minutes. His victory was not only his 100th on the historic grass courts, but also put him into the fourth round for the 17th time in his 20th appearance. De Minaur, like Djokovic, has only dropped one set through his opening three matches and knows the challenge he's set to face. 'Novak has completed the game, right? He's broken all the records. It's amazing for him to still be showing up and still showing that fire and desire to win more,' he said. 'So it's going to be the ultimate challenge, and I'm excited for it.' The winner of the contest will take on either Italian 22nd seed Flavio Cobolli or former Wimbledon finalist Marin Cilic. Head-to-head Novak holds a 2-1 lead over de Minaur with the Aussie's only taste of victory coming in the 2024 United Cup. The meeting will be the first time they've locked horns on grass with Djokovic winning one clash on clay while they've split their two hard court contests. It will be the second time they've faced off at a grand slam with Djokovic sending the Aussie packing from the 2023 Australian Open in the Round of 16.

‘A bit too much': Willie Rioli's shock revelation after threat ban fallout
‘A bit too much': Willie Rioli's shock revelation after threat ban fallout

News.com.au

time4 hours ago

  • News.com.au

‘A bit too much': Willie Rioli's shock revelation after threat ban fallout

Port Adelaide forward Willie Rioli has revealed he almost quit the game after being caught sending threats to opposition players but he's stayed to continue to champion the cause of indigenous players. Rioli was suspended for a game in May and hit with fines after revelations of a social media threat to Western Bulldogs defender Bailey Dale with a further two instances of similar aggression to opponents coming to light. He earned support from Port chairman, David Koch, who suggestion Rioli was subjected to 'culturally insensitive' remarks, which was shot down by the Bulldogs in a war of words between the two clubs. It was putting Port in the spotlight for the wrong reasons, and the fallout from the incident moved Rioli to contemplate walking away. 'Definitely it gets to a point where it's a bit too much sometimes,' Rioli told Port's club podcast, Peeled. 'And yeah I have spoken to my manager and the club a couple of times about walking away from the game, which I am not shy to talk about. 'More so ... trying to not be putting any more pressure on the club. Get them out of the spotlight as well, in terms of not have to deal with my issues so much as a person off-field.' Remarkably, Rioli even said he took a 'bit of the blame' for a drop off in indigenous player numbers, a feeling dating back to copping an 18-month suspension for tampering with his marijuana-tainted urine sample while at West Coast. 'I do hold a bit of blame myself a little bit for some of the stuff I have been through, in terms of clubs not trusting Indigenous players,' he said, declaring righting that wrong, and improving perceptions was why he's still playing. 'I felt that was my driver to come back to footy ... be the light in terms of 'we can go through this'. 'I look at the drop in terms of Indigenous players in the competition ... that gives me the motivation to stick around longer, to help the next generation do better than what we are doing or what I am doing. 'I want the next (Indigenous) generation to be better than what we are right now. 'And I want them to have their confidence to make mistakes and not be judged by their mistakes.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store