Stuart laments 'embarrassing' effort as Croker's retirement looms

A fuming Ricky Stuart was in no mood to discuss the pending retirement of Raiders legend Jarrod Croker after labelling his side's loss to the Melbourne Storm on Sunday as "embarrassing".

Canberra confirmed that the 305-game Croker is set to front the media on Monday to provide an update on his future, but Stuart was in no mood to talk about anything other than the Raiders' lacklustre performance as they were demolished 48-2 by a rampant Storm side playing for their spot in the top four. 

“I’ll talk tomorrow about it, sorry,” he said after being asked about Croker.

“I’m not trying to be disrespectful to you mate, (but) I ain't in the mood for talking really. I’m here because I have to be.”

Stuart said he was “lost for words” after his side surrendered to Storm with a prized top-four spot on the line.

The Raiders have now dropped to sixth off the back of a listless display that Stuart did not see coming.

“It was just embarrassing,” he said.

“Absolutely embarrassed…I don’t think I can say much more than that, to be honest. Just really, really embarrassing. We went away after 20 minutes.”

The Raiders coach was at a loss to explain why his side was not up for the fight at a venue they had enjoyed so much success at in the past.

They’re one of the few teams with a good record at AAMI Park, having won their past five games at the venue against Melbourne.

Although, you wouldn’t have known it by the way they turned up on Sunday.

“We weren’t prepared to fight for the 80 and they were,” Stuart said.

“We were fighting for a top four spot today and we delivered up that crap, that’ s the embarrassing part about it. I’m lost for words on a lot of it.”

When asked what his message was to the players post-game, Stuart said:
“Ask them mate, they’re allowed to talk now apparently,” he said.

Storm coach Craig Bellamy was more forthcoming to speak about Croker after being told his retirement had been revealed during the game.

“He plays the game in a real good spirit and he was a wonderful centre at his best,” Bellamy said.

“He was smooth along the ground and he could score a try from nearly anywhere.

“One of the things the Raiders might miss with him is how dependable he was with his goalkicking and he did that for year on year.

“I didn’t realise he’d made that announcement, but I’d like to wish him all the best.

“He has been a great player and a great citizen for rugby league.”