Ricky Stuart’s contribution to mounties 2016 success
Mounties, who have been the Raiders’ feeder club since 2012, will have teams in each of the NSWRL competitions, the Intrust Super Premiership, Ron Massey Cup and Sydney Shieldas.
No club has achieved this feat since the famous St George club had teams in all three deciders in 1985.
As you can imagine preparations are aplenty this week with the historic NSWRL Grand Final day this Sunday at Pirtek Stadium, Parramatta.
Mounties, the feeder club for Canberra Raiders, will attempt to make history by taking out all three senior men’s grades.
Mounties NSW Cup coach Steve Antonelli will field a team brimming with NRL experience against the Illawarra Cutters on Sunday.
They include Shaun Fensom, Sam Williams, Brenko Lee and Jeff Lima. It’s a long list of stars that Antonelli says haven’t kicked stones all year, despite mostly playing reserve grade as Stuart led the Raiders’ renaissance.
Antonelli said Stuart had plenty to do with the club’s success this year, despite Canberra headquarters being a 500km round trip from Mounties’ base in Sydney’s western suburbs.
“One hundred per cent he can take some of the credit. He’s right behind the relationship and checks on his blokes every week,” Antonelli said.
Antonelli was handed a fulltime job under Stuart last year, however was forced to spend half his week away from his family in Sydney to be with the Raiders in Canberra.
“I’ve learnt a lot myself so I can bring that professionalism back into Mounties. It’s one of the best relationships in the NRL I reckon,” he said.
“It’s an extension that people don’t see. This relationship with Mounties, Stuart looks after it.”
Ricky,s involvement with Fringe NRL players in keeping them “up” for their performances with Mounties has been instrumental in the overall performance of the club.
Antonelli’s exposure to the Raiders system has also ensured that there is professional consistency across the clubs.
Sports Focus Physiotherapy are very proud to be involved with Mounties and wish all three teams the best of luck in this weekends Grand Final games.
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