Fans reckon Ricky Stuart stole his ‘weak-gutted dog’ comments from Mark Chopper Read

Ricky Stuart's recent comments about a Penrith Panthers player has sent the rugby league community into a frenzy.

Fans couldn't quite believe what had come out of Stuart's mouth after he called 23-year-old Jaeman Salmon a 'weak-gutted dog' during his post-match press conference.

But now that the dust has settled, some people reckon the remark was stolen straight from notorious Aussie criminal Mark 'Chopper' Read.

Following his side's 20-point defeat, Canberra Raiders coach Stuart delivered a scathing attack on one of the Panthers players after an on-field incident.

“I have had history with that kid. I know that kid very well," Stuart said of Salmon.

“He was a weak gutted dog as a kid and he hasn’t changed now. He is a weak gutted dog person now.”

At the time, the tirade made for alarming viewing.

But as it was replayed more and more, there was increased calls for Stuart to be slapped with a huge ban – some even demanding he be suspended for the rest of the season.

Stuart has since been handed a one-match ban, but that doesn't mean the saga is over just yet.

According to the Daily Mail, the unique term 'weak-gutted' has made several appearances throughout Read's autobiographies.

In 'From the Inside: Chopper 1', the convicted criminal calls the prison population 'weak-gutted mice who have no sense of personal honour and courage'.

In the same book, he describes notorious gang member Barry Quinn as a 'weak gutted thing'. 

And over in his 'Hits and Memories: Chopper 2' book, hitman Chris Flannery AKA Mr Rentakill' is referred to as a 'weak-gutted p***k'.

However, the phrase isn't used in the classic film Chopper, starring Eric Bana.

Stuart's damning comments have been widely condemned by the wider NRL community.

Legendary New South Wales Blues player Mark Geyer believes a precedent needs to be set, with no other coach yet to cop a suspension for post-match comments in the NRL.

Geyer told Triple M radio: "I don't get Ricky Stuart's side, I really don't. He's a 55-year-old male who's coached over 500 games, he's been in the game for so long. If that was his son how would he feel, if someone said that about his son?

Adding: “If that was my son I would be filthy. I would be knocking on (Stuart's) door the next day, put it that way.

"I think he's got to be suspended. (Salmon) has been defamed. Everyone saw that, all junior league players saw what Ricky Stuart just said about this kid."

Featured Image Credit: Alamy/Twitter/Fox League

Topics: Australia, NRL, Rugby League

Max Sherry

Max Sherry is a journalist for SPORTbible Australia. After migrating Down Under from London as a teenager, he instantly fell in love with Aussie sport and its culture. From NRL to AFL, cricket to rugby — you name it, Max watches it (with a beer in hand, of course). During his time at Fox Sports, he worked in the football department covering the Premier League, A-League, Socceroos and Matildas. Born a stone's throw away from West Ham's training ground, Max is obviously a die-hard Liverpool fan.

@maxysherry