Ricky Stuart arrives at the Parramatta presentation night last night after quitting on Wednesday. 'I was offered the opportunity. I didn't ask for the opportunity'. Picture: Nic Gibson Source: TheAustralian
RICKY Stuart last night took aim at his critics - including one former director in the crowd at the club's presentation night - as he launched an impassioned defence of his decision to walk out on Parramatta after only one year.
Stuart, who is expected to be confirmed as Canberra's new coach within days, claimed his character had been "assassinated" in the wake of his sudden departure and described his critics as "small-minded".
On stage to present the final awards of the night at Rosehill racecourse, Stuart was heckled by one person in the crowd as he spoke about his decision to cull up to a dozen players midway through the year.
"I hear you down there, 'now you're gone' -- that's right, that's the decision I've had to make," Stuart said.
"I don't stand back from it, I'm proud of the fact I made the decision and I'm proud of the fact I had the courage to do it.
"I'll continue to get criticism but I'll stand strong, I'll cop the criticism and I'll cop the punishment, but it's the best decision for myself and my family.
"The most important people here are the players. I got assassinated over the last day and I'll get assassinated again. They're small-minded people. They don't understand the big decision I've had to make.
"The players [I've cut] this year, that's my job, to let go players. There's not a player in that group that I let go that I can't look in the eye or say hello and be friends with them. I'm proud of that."
Stuart made it clear his decision to depart Parramatta was made with his family in mind. Earlier in the day, he had explained to his players why he had walked out on them barely 12 months after he was unveiled as the new coach by former chairman Roy Spagnolo.
At the time, Spagnolo compared Stuart's signing to that of legendary Eels coach Jack Gibson.
"It's been very hard, very difficult," Stuart said.
"I made a decision that's best for my career and my family. I will wear all types of criticism.
"I have had to make a decision that is best for me and they're always tough decisions. The day I got here I was very appreciative of the fact that Roy showed the faith in bringing me to the club.
"I still respect that. The leadership change with (chairman) Steve Sharp taking over is . . . I found a man of integrity, I found a man who is genuine and I found a man who is honest."
Stuart said earlier yesterday he would probably have stayed on as Parramatta coach, despite the club's dire two years defined by back-to-back wooden spoons, if his old club Canberra had not come calling.
The former Australia, NSW and premiership-winning coach agreed that changes in the Eels' administration had added an extra layer of frustration to his job.
He had lost some significant support among the directors after the election last May which claimed Spagnolo.
But Stuart said yesterday he probably would not have walked out only 12 months into a three-year deal if the Raiders had not made a determined push to get him back. He won three premierships with the club as a player in his 203 games.
"There's been a lot of speculation and innuendo and it all came to a head on Wednesday night when there was an official offer," Stuart said.
"Obviously I'd been thinking about it, if it did become official. There's been a lot of hours put into the decision. It's been very difficult, but I've made it."
Asked whether he would have left Parramatta anyway, if there had been no interest from Canberra, Stuart said: "I was offered the opportunity. I didn't ask for the opportunity to arrive."
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