Stuart, the Raiders' coach, stands firm in silence, declining to comment on the heart-wrenching defeat against the Broncos.
The footballing world is eagerly anticipating the upcoming semi-final clash between the Canberra Raiders and the Cronulla Sharks, set to take place at GIO Stadium on Saturday night. The crowd is expected to be sold out, with the atmosphere promised to be electric and supportive.
The Raiders, who clinched the minor premiership this season, find their inspirational campaign hanging in the balance after a heart-wrenching 94-minute week-one epic against Brisbane, where they lost a 16-point lead. Coach Ricky Stuart has been reluctant to reflect on the game, instead focusing on the upcoming semi-final against the Sharks.
However, Stuart has praised the GIO Stadium crowd for their unwavering support during the Broncos final, and he believes there is a lot of support for the Raiders from the fans. The team, led by in-form hooker Tom Starling, is reportedly ready to rally back on course for the NRL premiership.
On the other side of the field, the Sharks have been in impressive form, ousting the dangerous Sydney Roosters from finals. Coach Craig Fitzgibbon, who has been at the helm for four seasons and is contracted until 2027, has done a commendable job with the team. Fitzgibbon expressed confidence in his team's ability, stating that the Sharks are in the semis for a reason.
Ricky Stuart does not consider Cronulla as underdogs for the semi-final, acknowledging the Sharks' strong performance in the finals series so far. The Sharks have an extra day's turnaround before the big game, which could potentially give them an edge.
The winner of this semi-final will face Melbourne in a grand final qualifier next Friday. Fans can catch the action live at GIO Stadium, or stream it for free. Regardless of the outcome, this promises to be a thrilling encounter between two formidable teams, with both eager to secure a spot in the grand final.
