CAN someone please explain why there are so many Ricky Stuart haters among the Raiders’ fanbase? 

On second thoughts, don’t bother because the reasons that you hate this bloke are completely irrelevant now.

Stuart, the legendary half back and not-so-legendary coach, is now your coach – signed, sealed and delivered.

I, for one, am pleased to see Stuart home, back in the place where he first stormed to Rugby League prominence.

In the late ‘80s-early ‘90s, the Canberra Raiders were more a fairytale than a football team. Many in Sydney saw the side as “just making up the numbers” in the NSW league in the ‘80s. But this band of young warriors took on the best and beat them; not just once, but three times. At half back, Stuart was one of the main architects of the Raiders’ golden era.

Sure, it all soured at the end and Stuart ended up with the Bulldogs, before coaching the Roosters, NSW and then the Sharks. His detractors say that he inherited a premiership with the Roosters. He’s had no such luck with Cronulla and Parramatta.

So why will it be any different coaching his old side in his home town?

I don’t know, but I believe, perhaps foolishly, it will happen. So let the haters from out of town mouth off, let the detractors detract, but here in Raider town, let’s give him a chance.

I’m happy to crucify him if we’re sitting last on the ladder at Round 19, but right now, I stand 100 per cent behind him!

Mark Parton is the breakfast announcer on 2CC