June 24, 2025 • 22 mins
From Dream to Debut — Jed Stuart relives the unforgettable week leading up to his first NRL game for the Raiders. From the nerves, the build-up, to that incredible moment crossing the line, and the emotional embrace with family at full-time — this is more than just a debut story. It’s heart, hunger, and homegrown pride.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
He's not here for the clickbait all the couch signe critics.
It's wheel and full of deep and meaningfuls with the
Raiders in a circle from laughs to her truth still
tell you ditch the negative noise and get behind the boys.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
This is writer Nick, huge chance for the Raiders here
and they go that way. Now, Fogany pops it over
to said Chris. Chris goes to the bend, put the
back door, pass out the jet stewing an ex right
off four o four.
Speaker 3 (00:33):
With the are a class sacked this green machine and
they're playing with plenty of confidence at the moment.
Speaker 4 (00:38):
And the Deputa, the man in the news all week.
It all started from the cabbage.
Speaker 3 (00:42):
Dancing around and this man Koyo wakes it opened pasture,
but it was playing on and it was held the
skelter a quick player of the ball. I had to
go left Fogany to Sebastian Chris the giddy flicked the
jet Stewart and he slammed the steed in the air.
Speaker 5 (00:58):
He's a top coach because you know, from a father's
point of view, you just you know, I don't want
him to come out and be man the match. I
just want him to hold his own and that's all
I wanted, and he hid that. There's a lot of
pressure on him tonight. I think you should be happy
with these performance for his first game.
Speaker 4 (01:15):
What a moment that was. Jeed Stewart rate a four
oh four son of Ricky. Dreams came true and it
was always going to be hard for Jet. Don't have
to explain to you why I caught up with the boy,
and it was only fitting. I gave Jeddy a call.
Sit back and relax and listen to Precision four oh four.
(01:37):
Jet Stewart were your Velcrow.
Speaker 6 (01:41):
There. You're going, yeah, that can't come up with that.
Speaker 4 (01:44):
But I had Zach on the show last week and
we spoke about you without embarrassing and he said, mate
velcrow because he just hits and sticks. But his hair
looks like Velcrow as well.
Speaker 6 (01:55):
That was Sally before I got my haircut. I made
sure I got a haircut before the game because it
was a bit crazy before it.
Speaker 4 (02:00):
Let's start maketown. The week that it was, we all
saw it. Hell is experience.
Speaker 6 (02:05):
Well. Speaking of Zach, he was my roommate. He's normally
roommates with Maddie Nicholson but he's injured at the moment,
so I'm I've caught the short strawing on with Osco.
But no, he's been good. He he actually said to
me the day of the game because we had a
we had a fair time at the hotel before the
(02:26):
game because it was eight o'clock game, and he was
saying to me, Oh, you're nervous, made, or how you feeling.
I'm like, I'm actually feeling good and he's like, yeah, well,
you're either you're either really good or you're lying because
you look sweet. So I was good before the game.
And then rocking up to the stadium was cool. I've
never been to Campbelltown Stadium. Oh Dad might have taken
(02:46):
me there for one of these games when I was younger,
but I don't remember it. So yeah, it was cool
to see that stadium and running out to warm up,
seeing all the family in that it was awesome.
Speaker 4 (02:58):
Yeah, what's gone through Mile you run out there? I
mean you put the socks on, you put the jersey on,
you put them you put the jersey on. Was there
a shiver down your spine when you did that?
Speaker 6 (03:08):
Yeah, that was a very special moment. When Jack presented
me the jersey. I was. I couldn't wait to put
it on. I wanted to put it on at the
lunch a bit.
Speaker 4 (03:18):
When you put it on in the sheds though, on
the Friday night when it was like go time and
time switch on time, what was that like?
Speaker 6 (03:26):
Yeah, that was an amazing feeling finally wearing the green jersey.
It was dream come true. It was yeah.
Speaker 4 (03:34):
Running out, you've seen that, that wonderful crowd, that whole
hill was for you pretty much. What was it like?
Was there butterflies? Was they nervous? It was like, let's
just get this on.
Speaker 6 (03:44):
I was just ready to go. I was so keen
all week and then running out it kind of hit
you that this is it, this is this is when
we're this is when we got to go. So yeah,
I was. I was just buzzing.
Speaker 4 (03:57):
You were buzzing.
Speaker 6 (03:59):
I was actually no. We all week we did review
on them kicking to my edge, so I was thinking,
I'm going to take the kick off here, first touch
will be the papa, and then I'll wrap around and
get an early touch and have the next carry. But
they kicked to the other edge, so I didn't have
a touch for like five minutes, and I was absolutely.
I was on the field thinking I've just got to
get this footy and have a carry and get into
(04:21):
the game.
Speaker 4 (04:22):
First carry, What was it like the first the contact?
Speaker 6 (04:26):
Yeah, my first touch was off the kick. I caught
it and they held me up in in their end.
So that was my first touch and then I think
my second one was keeping that forty twenty in.
Speaker 4 (04:39):
Yeah, and then I wrapped.
Speaker 6 (04:41):
Around and had to carry after that. But yeah, no,
the first carry was obviously nerve wracking. You just think
about not dropping it.
Speaker 4 (04:48):
Nice scoot dummy half their mate time went well. Yeah,
could you remember what you felt like when you when
you got hit in that collision in the first time
in the contact? Was it like, wow, this is heavier
than the new South Wales cap or was it kind
of similar.
Speaker 6 (05:02):
It's definitely more physical. But the wrestle, the wrestle is
what surprised me. The the wrestle on the ground blowing
up to play the ball is a lot more physical
and you feel them. You feel I'm actually doing stuff
to you that that your practice in the wrestle room.
Unlike carp it's more it's more probably quick to play
the balls in cup, but it felt more controlled in
(05:27):
NRL on their team and our team. It felt more
controlled for us as well.
Speaker 4 (05:32):
What about running up and down the line? Did just
get guessed running up and down that line? How did
you go? There's all that nervous energy, you know.
Speaker 6 (05:39):
Yeah, I think I did too much at the start.
That's why I was cramping so late in the game.
I was probably doing too many, too many, getting too
high on the end of the line and when I
when I didn't need to. But no, it was good.
Speaker 4 (05:52):
I love asking plays. I've been fortunate enough to talk
to a lot of players that are playing like Origin
level and whatnot, and you know they've gone into that
level doubting themselves deep down, and then they get they
get to a point in the game where they click
and they say I can handle this and they kind
of find their confidence. It grows on them and if
they find a point within the game. Did you find
that as well?
Speaker 6 (06:13):
Yeah? I think every footballer gets that when obviously everyone's
nervous before a game. They want to play good and
they want to win. But I feel like as soon
as you get out there, it's just natural instincts. You
just got to do what you got to do to win.
I think that that just comes naturally to most people,
that they got to get the job done and try
to get the win.
Speaker 4 (06:32):
The footballer animal just comes out. Yeah, made that tried to.
There wouldn't have been one Raiders fan. We're all on
the box. I mean we weren't in the box. We
call it from an interactive studio here in Canberra, and
we were all high fiving, jumping around. It was just
such a great, great moment. What was it like for you, Like,
did you you know you get that excitement. I was like,
there's the trial line. I'm going to get here, Like
(06:55):
you know how you get that preconceived feeling if you're
going to get to the line before you get to
the line.
Speaker 6 (06:58):
Yeah, yeah, Well I was waiting for Sebby to flick
it out because I know he's got that in his game,
and I was probably a bit too flat, so I
kind of had to reach back and grab it. And
then I've seen the line. I've been all coming across,
but just duck ahead. I knew I got it. I
knew I was pretty close to the sideline, but I
(07:20):
was Yeah, I was real confident I got it down.
I didn't even watch a replay walking back, I was
just I was just in shock after that.
Speaker 4 (07:27):
Wow, what was it like walking back and then watching
the kick on fold and that feeling of like I've
just contributed to the scoreboard. He now.
Speaker 6 (07:37):
I've scored to try a NRL. No, it was awesome.
It's such a blur, isn't it. It's like adrenaline Russian
and everything's going say yeah, walking back? Just so just
o next job? Really, you know, it is such a
quick game.
Speaker 4 (07:53):
Went quick.
Speaker 6 (07:54):
Yeah, get the first half done was the main job,
and I felt like I went right and then come
out in the second. I was buzzing again. But they
kind of had us on the ropes in the second half.
The make of the game, We're defending our lines for
most of it. So I'd have to say the first
half was a lot funner than the second.
Speaker 4 (08:10):
I mean, we'll get to that in a little bit
in the SEC. But I just got to ask, what
was it like during the week. How was your own
manager in the week? Healthy distance there to let you
just be in your own head.
Speaker 6 (08:19):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I think so. And when he did
help me out, it was like it was unreal. You know.
He's a big part of why I probably wasn't so nervous.
The preparation going into the game was unreal, so I
didn't have the nerves too much. Obviously I was nervous,
but I wasn't. I wasn't nervous to a point where
(08:40):
I was worried about it. But yeah, it didn't say
much to me, but the things he said really really stuck.
Speaker 4 (08:49):
So, yeah, tells me just why your body language and
just seeing how you guys communicating the sheds and you
kind of have the maturities and go, okay, this is
the coach talking here.
Speaker 6 (08:57):
Yeah, when we're at footy. When we're at footy, we're
at footy, and that's when he's coaching me. And when
we're home he won't really he won't really help me
out with footy. Like we don't talk footy unless I
bring it up, unless I've got something I want to
ask him or I bring it up. That's when he
talks about it. But he's real good at keeping home
orfe at home and and footy at footy. And I
guess when you have when we have such a tight
(09:21):
knit family and extended family, that helps as well.
Speaker 4 (09:24):
You know what did he say afterwards?
Speaker 6 (09:28):
He was, Yeah, I think he was more relieved I
didn't I didn't play too bad, rather than for me.
He would have been happy for me. He was gave
me a arget and told me to go over and
see mom.
Speaker 4 (09:43):
Yeah, because the thing is too when people don't really
realize this is all new for your dad as well,
this experience.
Speaker 6 (09:49):
Yeah, he's probably never experienced. Yeah, he wouldn't experience anything
like it as well. Well.
Speaker 4 (09:54):
He said it was the toughest wig that he had.
And then because it's just so hard, I could not
imagine having to mix the two worlds. And your dad's
like such a passionate, hard filled man, you know, and
like he would have been doing the case in his mind,
and it's just so hard to be able to bottle it,
you know, and there's you know, you've seen it, he
would have. I think you got a call from Kevy
(10:14):
Kevy Walters during the week and he added his you know,
because he's been through it, theret the Broncos and yeah
and whatnot. So it's just kind of like a tricky thing.
And you're a man did well, but I mean it
all did well, and I just love it. Man, with
that embarrassing you're just seeing your family there like you
very easily could have. It could have been all hosed
down because it's like, okay, you know it's the coach's family,
(10:36):
so we just kind of keep it, keep it all
hosed down. But it was just like if it was
any other one's debut and he's all celebrated it well.
And that's just why your dad and your family you're
just so can't. It's like very cambaron for that to
do that. They don't care about nothing else. We're here
for a reason. This is what it is.
Speaker 6 (10:51):
Yeah, I got to thank my brother for that. He
because we knew it pretty early. He sorted out everything
behind the scenes, which is massive, so I didn't have
to worry about any of that. I just focused on
playing playing footy and worrying about the game. He sought
about all the tickets, He thought about the baths to
go up to Sydney from Canberra on the friday, thought
(11:13):
about t shirts. He easy, that's.
Speaker 4 (11:17):
Mate, mate, it's so transparent. And I remember seeing you
boys when you were just teenagers that your dad's are
like the foundation galas and whatnot. He just the teenagers
from opening around and now part of it all, and
now you're playing NRL. Was it always a goal? Jed.
You did the rugby circuit, you know, and coming through
going to Eddies and stuff. It's very very hard to
(11:40):
not get according to that lane of rugby, going to
a school like Saint Edmund's College here in Canberra and
then obviously having some success playing for Australia in the
seventh circuit. How did this all come about?
Speaker 6 (11:52):
Well, when we were living in Carnala when dad was
coaching Sharks, me and Jacko only played rugby league for
d last hour, so we didn't even know the rules
of union. And then and then we come up to
Canberra when you got the Raiders' job and we went
to Eddies and you weren't allowed to play rugby league.
Well you were allowed to play rugby league, but you
also had to play rugby union. So he played both
(12:15):
games on the weekends and that's when we started to
get into the union. And then we're both trying to
follow the same thing. When he went from year tender
year eleven, he gave up rugby league and focused on
opens for Eddies and I did the same thing. And
then yeah, just after that went to the Bumbies for
(12:37):
a little bit in the Academy never cracked the top
squad at Bumbs, but it did like a running test
for the Bumbies Academy. And yeah, I'm not sure. SEVENS
must have seen that and said, you know, this guy's
not too slow, he's tall. Let's get him in for
a trial game against the team that was went over
(13:00):
to Tokyo Olympics because because of COVID they had to
do internal games to prep them. So I went and
did that and with Corey Tool actually we both did
that from Canberra and then they they must have thought
we went all right, and they got us back in
the train before they do bi circuit. And then we
both went over there and played our first tournament.
Speaker 4 (13:25):
Just acal kid doing his thing. What was that like
running out we're putting in a straight We spoke about
the Raiders jersey. We're putting on that Wallops jersey, the
Green and Gold.
Speaker 6 (13:35):
Yeah, no, that was That's still a big achievement. I'll
I'll never forget that. And and the group of boys
at Seven's they're all legends. There will be mates of
mine forever.
Speaker 4 (13:50):
You know, where'd you playing? Where'd you play in rugby?
What position?
Speaker 6 (13:54):
Fifteens?
Speaker 4 (13:55):
So you're so you were a fullback?
Speaker 6 (13:56):
No, no, no, are you talking about the fifteens or
seventh or yeah?
Speaker 4 (14:00):
Either way? In fifteens, where'd you play fifteen's?
Speaker 6 (14:03):
I was a second rower in school and then when
I went to men's I was a flanker.
Speaker 4 (14:07):
Wow, so you played in them, So you're a piggy yeah.
And then in sevens were you playing like a piggy
role or you out in the back line?
Speaker 6 (14:16):
Now I was playing a fig year role. I was
in the scums and the line out there.
Speaker 4 (14:20):
Wow yeah Wow, that's a total different game, a total
different beast.
Speaker 6 (14:25):
Yeah, I know. So when I went when I went
to play league after seven, everyone was like, they're on
the wing? What thell? When then I'm just growing into.
Speaker 4 (14:35):
Wing and no strangers of the game of rugby league
the thirteen game. And but then obviously when you started
to get senior, you took more of a rugby union path.
How did you find your way back to rugby league?
Speaker 6 (14:49):
Well, when seven the day sevens let me know they
didn't want me anymore, I wasn't sure what I was
going to do. But then I was still in Sydney,
staying at Roonica Fordham's house. She had me while I
was down there doing all that, and I went and
got dinner with Ben and he just asked me what
(15:10):
I would rather do, play for the Australian Wallabies or
New South Wales in origin and I was like, yeah,
New South Wales. And then a couple of days later,
Dy'd asked me if I want to play for the
under twenties because they had a fair a few injuries
in that season in the higher grade, so a lot
of the twenties boys were going up and playing Cup.
(15:30):
I went and played twenty one and I've just been
at Raiders ever since, been on training trials ever since then.
And yeah, just trying to crack.
Speaker 4 (15:42):
It because it's such a great story, like you've just
been the kid that's been around, you know, yeah, and regardless,
and the great thing about it is without embarrassing you,
and we saw it this week. You're definitely kind of
like your own persona of your own man, you know.
And then obviously your dad's done well there with keeping
that separation there, but you're kind of your own man,
(16:05):
especially when it comes to the genetics. Mate, you're tall
than me, You're on stilts. Jed's got a couple of
tries on the weekend, just flicked pass from Jeds a
footballer and he just kind of like bumbled your way in.
Speaker 6 (16:21):
Yeah, I was. Yeah, I guess I got a bit
of skill from I used to play basketball back in
the day Dad reckons. That's where I got a little
bit of my skill from.
Speaker 4 (16:32):
Well, your dad was a skillful man. Have you seen
much taper your own? Man?
Speaker 6 (16:37):
Yeah. I used to go over to Madam popshouse when
when we were living in Sydney every time we come
up come down to Canberra, Me and Jack Old sit
on the lounge and that and Pop and watch all
the old old tapes of Dad's games.
Speaker 4 (16:48):
Wow, would you all man be there as well? Yeah,
he'd be What would he say when those games were on?
Was he quite or was he very vocal? In those times?
Speaker 6 (16:57):
He was vocal?
Speaker 4 (17:01):
You're old man was a gun of a player. And
I say that because I was a kid growing up
in Queen You and living through that era of that
gun side. And I have no problem telling the boys,
and I know it's awkward for you to hear this,
but that's just what your dad was doing. He brought
in a lot of that stuff from rugby. We used
to go to I used to go to training. They
(17:23):
used to train it soef an Oval and I was
obviously they called me raided Nick, but I was raiding
Nicks and so I was a kid. That's the reason
why they called me that. I was obsessed. And I'd
go to the training and your old man will be
teaching the latest, you know, first fifteen rugby half having
a coaching clinic, like just just like teaching him how
to kick and like how to hold the ball and
(17:44):
where to put the ball boot and just how to
hold it. And this is with the Gilbert too, and
then just and then he'd be kicking all these balls
and on the other side retrieving him to be mau
in his four x shorts, you know, before raiders training.
So it was just one of those things. And I
used to go with the Hawks, Phil Hawk, the great
Phil Hawk, and then I grew up with Tim. Obviously
Phil was the brother of the late late Alan Hawk. Yeah,
(18:08):
a wonderful family, the Hawk for a respected family. But
I grew up with Tim obviously huge when it comes
to queen and rugby with the Whites there. But Dan
Hawk of course seeing that photo on Instagram with you
and Dan yeah, a great issue between you and Dan.
Speaker 6 (18:21):
Yeah yeah, No, me and Dan go way back. He's
been a big part in my footy career. He coached
me in under eighteen school boys for Brumbies, captain of
that team and we actually went all right that year.
We didn't get the didn't get the cookies, but we
(18:42):
went good. And then after that he also coached me
at Queenby and Whites Cult and we won that premiership.
Speaker 4 (18:52):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (18:54):
Yeah, so he's been he's been massive, he's so smart
rugby union white he's he's done real.
Speaker 4 (19:00):
I remember those benches a young kid growing up there
and going to school with those boys and having sleepovers
at the Hawks and the dinner table Sandra Hawk will
pull out the big lasagna and then we just talking football.
It was just such a football family and he had
feel such a respected man in the community. It was
all football like. It was just this infectious. I just
(19:21):
loved being around that family and I was so grateful
that they just, you know, they allowed me into their home.
You know that such a young age and Phil drevi
Us around everywhere and to you to say that, like
that's really nice to say. You know that Dan is
out there doing the same thing, and he's done some
great stuff. You know, he's.
Speaker 6 (19:39):
Australian school Boys, an Australian Barbarian. Yeah, but he's actually
currently coaching Jacko at the moment. My brother.
Speaker 4 (19:46):
Yeah, Jackie his fallback there for the Whities. Yeah.
Speaker 6 (19:49):
Yeah, so I still get around the Whities. The day after,
the day after, the Saturday after Friday night when I played,
I went down and watched Whites will Jack. I wasn't playing,
he's injured every back next week, but I stood at
them and watched the game and a couple of other mates,
which was nice.
Speaker 4 (20:08):
What's it like when you're watching the Whities but knowing
that you've played, knowing that you've made it in our
old debut the night before.
Speaker 6 (20:17):
Yeah, I just love past footies off not past footies
first game, but I just love watching that. What do
you know? When I was there playing with him and yeah,
it's it's nice. I like doing it.
Speaker 4 (20:31):
What's the feeling amongst the group now you've been around
the club, but seeing it on game day and obviously
was a you mentioned that we just defended the whole
second half there with the Tigers. I were throwing everything
at us and people were telling me. See, the Raiders
been a really strong finishing team, but we still finished
strong last week, just defensive with our defensive game, we
tackled our We tackled ourselves for those two points.
Speaker 6 (20:54):
Yeah, the feeling around the club is amazing at the moment.
It's it's it hasn't been like that since I've been there,
and I think the boys just working for each other,
even such question make you don't let your mate down,
to all those second efforts on the line, making tackles,
it's it's it's pretty special. And that was that. That
(21:15):
was probably one of my highlights on the weekend. Was
now hard everyone worked for each other just to get
the win, all right, Jed.
Speaker 4 (21:23):
I usually ask these questions to players with you know
that are retired or on the back end of their career,
but I'll ask you now in the start of your career,
Jedd Stewart, what does the camera Raiders mean to you
so far?
Speaker 6 (21:36):
Everything? It's for me and my family. It's it's a
massive part and just a yeah, it's hard to put
into words. Actually you probably can't put a single word
on it. It's it's my whole world.
Speaker 4 (21:54):
You probably haven't fully realized it yet.
Speaker 6 (21:56):
Nah, not all. Even deboon hasn't sunk in.
Speaker 4 (21:59):
Yet and you're ready for game too.
Speaker 6 (22:03):
Yeah all right mate.
Speaker 4 (22:04):
Congratulations to not just your family and seeing it all unfolded,
Congratulations to yourself for fulfilling your childhood dream. And it
was a great moment there with your mum Jedny nice.
Speaker 6 (22:16):
Thank you very much. Thanks for having me, no worries, Vilcra,
thank you.
He's not here for the clickbait all the couch signe critics.
It's wheel and full of deep and meaningfuls with the
Raiders in a circle from laughs to her truth still
tell you ditch the negative noise and get behind the boys.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
This is writer Nick, huge chance for the Raiders here
and they go that way. Now, Fogany pops it over
to said Chris. Chris goes to the bend, put the
back door, pass out the jet stewing an ex right
off four o four.
Speaker 3 (00:33):
With the are a class sacked this green machine and
they're playing with plenty of confidence at the moment.
Speaker 4 (00:38):
And the Deputa, the man in the news all week.
It all started from the cabbage.
Speaker 3 (00:42):
Dancing around and this man Koyo wakes it opened pasture,
but it was playing on and it was held the
skelter a quick player of the ball. I had to
go left Fogany to Sebastian Chris the giddy flicked the
jet Stewart and he slammed the steed in the air.
Speaker 5 (00:58):
He's a top coach because you know, from a father's
point of view, you just you know, I don't want
him to come out and be man the match. I
just want him to hold his own and that's all
I wanted, and he hid that. There's a lot of
pressure on him tonight. I think you should be happy
with these performance for his first game.
Speaker 4 (01:15):
What a moment that was. Jeed Stewart rate a four
oh four son of Ricky. Dreams came true and it
was always going to be hard for Jet. Don't have
to explain to you why I caught up with the boy,
and it was only fitting. I gave Jeddy a call.
Sit back and relax and listen to Precision four oh four.
(01:37):
Jet Stewart were your Velcrow.
Speaker 6 (01:41):
There. You're going, yeah, that can't come up with that.
Speaker 4 (01:44):
But I had Zach on the show last week and
we spoke about you without embarrassing and he said, mate
velcrow because he just hits and sticks. But his hair
looks like Velcrow as well.
Speaker 6 (01:55):
That was Sally before I got my haircut. I made
sure I got a haircut before the game because it
was a bit crazy before it.
Speaker 4 (02:00):
Let's start maketown. The week that it was, we all
saw it. Hell is experience.
Speaker 6 (02:05):
Well. Speaking of Zach, he was my roommate. He's normally
roommates with Maddie Nicholson but he's injured at the moment,
so I'm I've caught the short strawing on with Osco.
But no, he's been good. He he actually said to
me the day of the game because we had a
we had a fair time at the hotel before the
(02:26):
game because it was eight o'clock game, and he was
saying to me, Oh, you're nervous, made, or how you feeling.
I'm like, I'm actually feeling good and he's like, yeah, well,
you're either you're either really good or you're lying because
you look sweet. So I was good before the game.
And then rocking up to the stadium was cool. I've
never been to Campbelltown Stadium. Oh Dad might have taken
(02:46):
me there for one of these games when I was younger,
but I don't remember it. So yeah, it was cool
to see that stadium and running out to warm up,
seeing all the family in that it was awesome.
Speaker 4 (02:58):
Yeah, what's gone through Mile you run out there? I
mean you put the socks on, you put the jersey on,
you put them you put the jersey on. Was there
a shiver down your spine when you did that?
Speaker 6 (03:08):
Yeah, that was a very special moment. When Jack presented
me the jersey. I was. I couldn't wait to put
it on. I wanted to put it on at the
lunch a bit.
Speaker 4 (03:18):
When you put it on in the sheds though, on
the Friday night when it was like go time and
time switch on time, what was that like?
Speaker 6 (03:26):
Yeah, that was an amazing feeling finally wearing the green jersey.
It was dream come true. It was yeah.
Speaker 4 (03:34):
Running out, you've seen that, that wonderful crowd, that whole
hill was for you pretty much. What was it like?
Was there butterflies? Was they nervous? It was like, let's
just get this on.
Speaker 6 (03:44):
I was just ready to go. I was so keen
all week and then running out it kind of hit
you that this is it, this is this is when
we're this is when we got to go. So yeah,
I was. I was just buzzing.
Speaker 4 (03:57):
You were buzzing.
Speaker 6 (03:59):
I was actually no. We all week we did review
on them kicking to my edge, so I was thinking,
I'm going to take the kick off here, first touch
will be the papa, and then I'll wrap around and
get an early touch and have the next carry. But
they kicked to the other edge, so I didn't have
a touch for like five minutes, and I was absolutely.
I was on the field thinking I've just got to
get this footy and have a carry and get into
(04:21):
the game.
Speaker 4 (04:22):
First carry, What was it like the first the contact?
Speaker 6 (04:26):
Yeah, my first touch was off the kick. I caught
it and they held me up in in their end.
So that was my first touch and then I think
my second one was keeping that forty twenty in.
Speaker 4 (04:39):
Yeah, and then I wrapped.
Speaker 6 (04:41):
Around and had to carry after that. But yeah, no,
the first carry was obviously nerve wracking. You just think
about not dropping it.
Speaker 4 (04:48):
Nice scoot dummy half their mate time went well. Yeah,
could you remember what you felt like when you when
you got hit in that collision in the first time
in the contact? Was it like, wow, this is heavier
than the new South Wales cap or was it kind
of similar.
Speaker 6 (05:02):
It's definitely more physical. But the wrestle, the wrestle is
what surprised me. The the wrestle on the ground blowing
up to play the ball is a lot more physical
and you feel them. You feel I'm actually doing stuff
to you that that your practice in the wrestle room.
Unlike carp it's more it's more probably quick to play
the balls in cup, but it felt more controlled in
(05:27):
NRL on their team and our team. It felt more
controlled for us as well.
Speaker 4 (05:32):
What about running up and down the line? Did just
get guessed running up and down that line? How did
you go? There's all that nervous energy, you know.
Speaker 6 (05:39):
Yeah, I think I did too much at the start.
That's why I was cramping so late in the game.
I was probably doing too many, too many, getting too
high on the end of the line and when I
when I didn't need to. But no, it was good.
Speaker 4 (05:52):
I love asking plays. I've been fortunate enough to talk
to a lot of players that are playing like Origin
level and whatnot, and you know they've gone into that
level doubting themselves deep down, and then they get they
get to a point in the game where they click
and they say I can handle this and they kind
of find their confidence. It grows on them and if
they find a point within the game. Did you find
that as well?
Speaker 6 (06:13):
Yeah? I think every footballer gets that when obviously everyone's
nervous before a game. They want to play good and
they want to win. But I feel like as soon
as you get out there, it's just natural instincts. You
just got to do what you got to do to win.
I think that that just comes naturally to most people,
that they got to get the job done and try
to get the win.
Speaker 4 (06:32):
The footballer animal just comes out. Yeah, made that tried to.
There wouldn't have been one Raiders fan. We're all on
the box. I mean we weren't in the box. We
call it from an interactive studio here in Canberra, and
we were all high fiving, jumping around. It was just
such a great, great moment. What was it like for you, Like,
did you you know you get that excitement. I was like,
there's the trial line. I'm going to get here, Like
(06:55):
you know how you get that preconceived feeling if you're
going to get to the line before you get to
the line.
Speaker 6 (06:58):
Yeah, yeah, Well I was waiting for Sebby to flick
it out because I know he's got that in his game,
and I was probably a bit too flat, so I
kind of had to reach back and grab it. And
then I've seen the line. I've been all coming across,
but just duck ahead. I knew I got it. I
knew I was pretty close to the sideline, but I
(07:20):
was Yeah, I was real confident I got it down.
I didn't even watch a replay walking back, I was
just I was just in shock after that.
Speaker 4 (07:27):
Wow, what was it like walking back and then watching
the kick on fold and that feeling of like I've
just contributed to the scoreboard. He now.
Speaker 6 (07:37):
I've scored to try a NRL. No, it was awesome.
It's such a blur, isn't it. It's like adrenaline Russian
and everything's going say yeah, walking back? Just so just
o next job? Really, you know, it is such a
quick game.
Speaker 4 (07:53):
Went quick.
Speaker 6 (07:54):
Yeah, get the first half done was the main job,
and I felt like I went right and then come
out in the second. I was buzzing again. But they
kind of had us on the ropes in the second half.
The make of the game, We're defending our lines for
most of it. So I'd have to say the first
half was a lot funner than the second.
Speaker 4 (08:10):
I mean, we'll get to that in a little bit
in the SEC. But I just got to ask, what
was it like during the week. How was your own
manager in the week? Healthy distance there to let you
just be in your own head.
Speaker 6 (08:19):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I think so. And when he did
help me out, it was like it was unreal. You know.
He's a big part of why I probably wasn't so nervous.
The preparation going into the game was unreal, so I
didn't have the nerves too much. Obviously I was nervous,
but I wasn't. I wasn't nervous to a point where
(08:40):
I was worried about it. But yeah, it didn't say
much to me, but the things he said really really stuck.
Speaker 4 (08:49):
So, yeah, tells me just why your body language and
just seeing how you guys communicating the sheds and you
kind of have the maturities and go, okay, this is
the coach talking here.
Speaker 6 (08:57):
Yeah, when we're at footy. When we're at footy, we're
at footy, and that's when he's coaching me. And when
we're home he won't really he won't really help me
out with footy. Like we don't talk footy unless I
bring it up, unless I've got something I want to
ask him or I bring it up. That's when he
talks about it. But he's real good at keeping home
orfe at home and and footy at footy. And I
guess when you have when we have such a tight
(09:21):
knit family and extended family, that helps as well.
Speaker 4 (09:24):
You know what did he say afterwards?
Speaker 6 (09:28):
He was, Yeah, I think he was more relieved I
didn't I didn't play too bad, rather than for me.
He would have been happy for me. He was gave
me a arget and told me to go over and
see mom.
Speaker 4 (09:43):
Yeah, because the thing is too when people don't really
realize this is all new for your dad as well,
this experience.
Speaker 6 (09:49):
Yeah, he's probably never experienced. Yeah, he wouldn't experience anything
like it as well. Well.
Speaker 4 (09:54):
He said it was the toughest wig that he had.
And then because it's just so hard, I could not
imagine having to mix the two worlds. And your dad's
like such a passionate, hard filled man, you know, and
like he would have been doing the case in his mind,
and it's just so hard to be able to bottle it,
you know, and there's you know, you've seen it, he
would have. I think you got a call from Kevy
(10:14):
Kevy Walters during the week and he added his you know,
because he's been through it, theret the Broncos and yeah
and whatnot. So it's just kind of like a tricky thing.
And you're a man did well, but I mean it
all did well, and I just love it. Man, with
that embarrassing you're just seeing your family there like you
very easily could have. It could have been all hosed
down because it's like, okay, you know it's the coach's family,
(10:36):
so we just kind of keep it, keep it all
hosed down. But it was just like if it was
any other one's debut and he's all celebrated it well.
And that's just why your dad and your family you're
just so can't. It's like very cambaron for that to
do that. They don't care about nothing else. We're here
for a reason. This is what it is.
Speaker 6 (10:51):
Yeah, I got to thank my brother for that. He
because we knew it pretty early. He sorted out everything
behind the scenes, which is massive, so I didn't have
to worry about any of that. I just focused on
playing playing footy and worrying about the game. He sought
about all the tickets, He thought about the baths to
go up to Sydney from Canberra on the friday, thought
(11:13):
about t shirts. He easy, that's.
Speaker 4 (11:17):
Mate, mate, it's so transparent. And I remember seeing you
boys when you were just teenagers that your dad's are
like the foundation galas and whatnot. He just the teenagers
from opening around and now part of it all, and
now you're playing NRL. Was it always a goal? Jed.
You did the rugby circuit, you know, and coming through
going to Eddies and stuff. It's very very hard to
(11:40):
not get according to that lane of rugby, going to
a school like Saint Edmund's College here in Canberra and
then obviously having some success playing for Australia in the
seventh circuit. How did this all come about?
Speaker 6 (11:52):
Well, when we were living in Carnala when dad was
coaching Sharks, me and Jacko only played rugby league for
d last hour, so we didn't even know the rules
of union. And then and then we come up to
Canberra when you got the Raiders' job and we went
to Eddies and you weren't allowed to play rugby league.
Well you were allowed to play rugby league, but you
also had to play rugby union. So he played both
(12:15):
games on the weekends and that's when we started to
get into the union. And then we're both trying to
follow the same thing. When he went from year tender
year eleven, he gave up rugby league and focused on
opens for Eddies and I did the same thing. And
then yeah, just after that went to the Bumbies for
(12:37):
a little bit in the Academy never cracked the top
squad at Bumbs, but it did like a running test
for the Bumbies Academy. And yeah, I'm not sure. SEVENS
must have seen that and said, you know, this guy's
not too slow, he's tall. Let's get him in for
a trial game against the team that was went over
(13:00):
to Tokyo Olympics because because of COVID they had to
do internal games to prep them. So I went and
did that and with Corey Tool actually we both did
that from Canberra and then they they must have thought
we went all right, and they got us back in
the train before they do bi circuit. And then we
both went over there and played our first tournament.
Speaker 4 (13:25):
Just acal kid doing his thing. What was that like
running out we're putting in a straight We spoke about
the Raiders jersey. We're putting on that Wallops jersey, the
Green and Gold.
Speaker 6 (13:35):
Yeah, no, that was That's still a big achievement. I'll
I'll never forget that. And and the group of boys
at Seven's they're all legends. There will be mates of
mine forever.
Speaker 4 (13:50):
You know, where'd you playing? Where'd you play in rugby?
What position?
Speaker 6 (13:54):
Fifteens?
Speaker 4 (13:55):
So you're so you were a fullback?
Speaker 6 (13:56):
No, no, no, are you talking about the fifteens or
seventh or yeah?
Speaker 4 (14:00):
Either way? In fifteens, where'd you play fifteen's?
Speaker 6 (14:03):
I was a second rower in school and then when
I went to men's I was a flanker.
Speaker 4 (14:07):
Wow, so you played in them, So you're a piggy yeah.
And then in sevens were you playing like a piggy
role or you out in the back line?
Speaker 6 (14:16):
Now I was playing a fig year role. I was
in the scums and the line out there.
Speaker 4 (14:20):
Wow yeah Wow, that's a total different game, a total
different beast.
Speaker 6 (14:25):
Yeah, I know. So when I went when I went
to play league after seven, everyone was like, they're on
the wing? What thell? When then I'm just growing into.
Speaker 4 (14:35):
Wing and no strangers of the game of rugby league
the thirteen game. And but then obviously when you started
to get senior, you took more of a rugby union path.
How did you find your way back to rugby league?
Speaker 6 (14:49):
Well, when seven the day sevens let me know they
didn't want me anymore, I wasn't sure what I was
going to do. But then I was still in Sydney,
staying at Roonica Fordham's house. She had me while I
was down there doing all that, and I went and
got dinner with Ben and he just asked me what
(15:10):
I would rather do, play for the Australian Wallabies or
New South Wales in origin and I was like, yeah,
New South Wales. And then a couple of days later,
Dy'd asked me if I want to play for the
under twenties because they had a fair a few injuries
in that season in the higher grade, so a lot
of the twenties boys were going up and playing Cup.
(15:30):
I went and played twenty one and I've just been
at Raiders ever since, been on training trials ever since then.
And yeah, just trying to crack.
Speaker 4 (15:42):
It because it's such a great story, like you've just
been the kid that's been around, you know, yeah, and regardless,
and the great thing about it is without embarrassing you,
and we saw it this week. You're definitely kind of
like your own persona of your own man, you know.
And then obviously your dad's done well there with keeping
that separation there, but you're kind of your own man,
(16:05):
especially when it comes to the genetics. Mate, you're tall
than me, You're on stilts. Jed's got a couple of
tries on the weekend, just flicked pass from Jeds a
footballer and he just kind of like bumbled your way in.
Speaker 6 (16:21):
Yeah, I was. Yeah, I guess I got a bit
of skill from I used to play basketball back in
the day Dad reckons. That's where I got a little
bit of my skill from.
Speaker 4 (16:32):
Well, your dad was a skillful man. Have you seen
much taper your own? Man?
Speaker 6 (16:37):
Yeah. I used to go over to Madam popshouse when
when we were living in Sydney every time we come
up come down to Canberra, Me and Jack Old sit
on the lounge and that and Pop and watch all
the old old tapes of Dad's games.
Speaker 4 (16:48):
Wow, would you all man be there as well? Yeah,
he'd be What would he say when those games were on?
Was he quite or was he very vocal? In those times?
Speaker 6 (16:57):
He was vocal?
Speaker 4 (17:01):
You're old man was a gun of a player. And
I say that because I was a kid growing up
in Queen You and living through that era of that
gun side. And I have no problem telling the boys,
and I know it's awkward for you to hear this,
but that's just what your dad was doing. He brought
in a lot of that stuff from rugby. We used
to go to I used to go to training. They
(17:23):
used to train it soef an Oval and I was
obviously they called me raided Nick, but I was raiding
Nicks and so I was a kid. That's the reason
why they called me that. I was obsessed. And I'd
go to the training and your old man will be
teaching the latest, you know, first fifteen rugby half having
a coaching clinic, like just just like teaching him how
to kick and like how to hold the ball and
(17:44):
where to put the ball boot and just how to
hold it. And this is with the Gilbert too, and
then just and then he'd be kicking all these balls
and on the other side retrieving him to be mau
in his four x shorts, you know, before raiders training.
So it was just one of those things. And I
used to go with the Hawks, Phil Hawk, the great
Phil Hawk, and then I grew up with Tim. Obviously
Phil was the brother of the late late Alan Hawk. Yeah,
(18:08):
a wonderful family, the Hawk for a respected family. But
I grew up with Tim obviously huge when it comes
to queen and rugby with the Whites there. But Dan
Hawk of course seeing that photo on Instagram with you
and Dan yeah, a great issue between you and Dan.
Speaker 6 (18:21):
Yeah yeah, No, me and Dan go way back. He's
been a big part in my footy career. He coached
me in under eighteen school boys for Brumbies, captain of
that team and we actually went all right that year.
We didn't get the didn't get the cookies, but we
(18:42):
went good. And then after that he also coached me
at Queenby and Whites Cult and we won that premiership.
Speaker 4 (18:52):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (18:54):
Yeah, so he's been he's been massive, he's so smart
rugby union white he's he's done real.
Speaker 4 (19:00):
I remember those benches a young kid growing up there
and going to school with those boys and having sleepovers
at the Hawks and the dinner table Sandra Hawk will
pull out the big lasagna and then we just talking football.
It was just such a football family and he had
feel such a respected man in the community. It was
all football like. It was just this infectious. I just
(19:21):
loved being around that family and I was so grateful
that they just, you know, they allowed me into their home.
You know that such a young age and Phil drevi
Us around everywhere and to you to say that, like
that's really nice to say. You know that Dan is
out there doing the same thing, and he's done some
great stuff. You know, he's.
Speaker 6 (19:39):
Australian school Boys, an Australian Barbarian. Yeah, but he's actually
currently coaching Jacko at the moment. My brother.
Speaker 4 (19:46):
Yeah, Jackie his fallback there for the Whities. Yeah.
Speaker 6 (19:49):
Yeah, so I still get around the Whities. The day after,
the day after, the Saturday after Friday night when I played,
I went down and watched Whites will Jack. I wasn't playing,
he's injured every back next week, but I stood at
them and watched the game and a couple of other mates,
which was nice.
Speaker 4 (20:08):
What's it like when you're watching the Whities but knowing
that you've played, knowing that you've made it in our
old debut the night before.
Speaker 6 (20:17):
Yeah, I just love past footies off not past footies
first game, but I just love watching that. What do
you know? When I was there playing with him and yeah,
it's it's nice. I like doing it.
Speaker 4 (20:31):
What's the feeling amongst the group now you've been around
the club, but seeing it on game day and obviously
was a you mentioned that we just defended the whole
second half there with the Tigers. I were throwing everything
at us and people were telling me. See, the Raiders
been a really strong finishing team, but we still finished
strong last week, just defensive with our defensive game, we
tackled our We tackled ourselves for those two points.
Speaker 6 (20:54):
Yeah, the feeling around the club is amazing at the moment.
It's it's it hasn't been like that since I've been there,
and I think the boys just working for each other,
even such question make you don't let your mate down,
to all those second efforts on the line, making tackles,
it's it's it's pretty special. And that was that. That
(21:15):
was probably one of my highlights on the weekend. Was
now hard everyone worked for each other just to get
the win, all right, Jed.
Speaker 4 (21:23):
I usually ask these questions to players with you know
that are retired or on the back end of their career,
but I'll ask you now in the start of your career,
Jedd Stewart, what does the camera Raiders mean to you
so far?
Speaker 6 (21:36):
Everything? It's for me and my family. It's it's a
massive part and just a yeah, it's hard to put
into words. Actually you probably can't put a single word
on it. It's it's my whole world.
Speaker 4 (21:54):
You probably haven't fully realized it yet.
Speaker 6 (21:56):
Nah, not all. Even deboon hasn't sunk in.
Speaker 4 (21:59):
Yet and you're ready for game too.
Speaker 6 (22:03):
Yeah all right mate.
Speaker 4 (22:04):
Congratulations to not just your family and seeing it all unfolded,
Congratulations to yourself for fulfilling your childhood dream. And it
was a great moment there with your mum Jedny nice.
Speaker 6 (22:16):
Thank you very much. Thanks for having me, no worries, Vilcra,
thank you.
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