Salmon’s family spring to defence

JAEMAN Salmon’s family has claimed they have had no contact with Ricky Stuart in more than a decade.

In a statement provided to the media after Ricky Stuart slammed the Penrith playmaker as a “weak gutted dog”, the Salmon family claimed they were shocked by reports of a family feud being behind the Canberra coach’s attack.

“We were disappointed by the comments of Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart after what was a fantastic game of football for the Panthers and our son, Jaeman,” the family said in a statement.

“We were surprised by Ricky’s claim that he knows Jaeman personally as they have had no contact since Jae was 12 years old.

“We are calling on the NRL to take action as we believe Jaeman (pictured) has been wronged.”

Earlier Stuart sent out his own statement to apologise for the attack, which was delivered in the wake of Canberra’s 26-6 loss to the Panthers.

“My reaction was to a family situation that I thought I had dealt with, clearly I haven’t,” Stuart said.

“I allowed my emotions to get the better of me and for that I am very sorry.

“There is a history between Jaeman Salmon and my family that I will not go into.

“I should not have brought it up after the game, but it just got the better of me.

“I am truly sorry that I have caused my family and the game unwarranted attention.”

Stuart described Salmon as a “weak gutted dog” when asked about an on-field incident involving the Panther’s five-eighth. Salmon’s foot struck Raider’s hooker Tom Starling between the legs after the Panther lashed out.