Canberra Raiders fans could be forgiven for feeling like they have stepped back in time.
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Their eyes were not deceiving them when they saw a Stuart running around at Canberra Stadium last week - but it wasn't Ricky, rather his son Jackson making his Jersey Flegg debut in a proud moment for the family.
Jackson lined up at fullback in Canberra's triumph against Newcastle just hours before his dad took his traditional place on the sideline to coach the club's NRL side to victory over the Knights.
The Canberra coach forged a legacy in Canberra as one of rugby league's greatest halfbacks and the emergence of another Stuart in a green jersey will bring back memories of the club's golden era.
But the day the Stuarts replicate the Clearys by having a father coach his son in the top grade is a world away.
Right now the Raiders have another fullback lighting it up in Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, whose emergence as a genuine NRL calibre fullback has allowed Stuart to commit to playing Jack Wighton at five-eighth without any hesitation.
Stuart concedes Wighton's move to five-eighth is a work in progress but Nicoll-Klokstad's brilliant form in the custodian role has given him breathing room.
The 23-year-old fullback scored a double to help Canberra over the line against Newcastle last week, and the shoe is on the other foot in the steel city.
Knights coach Nathan Brown will consider shifting Kalyn Ponga back to fullback with the club struggling to find any real spark in the position with the rising star playing at five-eighth.
For Stuart there is no such headache.
Nicoll-Klokstad has settled into life in Canberra very well following the arrival of his partner Sarah and sons Rio and Kyrie, with anyone and everyone at Raiders headquarters helping them find their feet.
But few have had an impact on Nicoll-Klokstad like Raiders assistant coach Andrew McFadden.
"He helped out heaps, he was the one that originally gave me the call to say there was an opportunity here," Nicoll-Klokstad said.
"The boys have been so good to me as well, me and my family, checking up on me to see if me and my family are alright, and always doing stuff for me when my family wasn’t there. I can’t give it up to the boys enough.
"They always say if you need something, let us know. The boys have made it easy for me transitioning from the Warriors, and I’m loving it.
"My boys and my partner are here. My partner is starting to find little play groups for my boys, and they’re slowly getting there with their sleeping."
Stuart is rapt with Nicoll-Klokstad's early form and for good reason - the Kiwi scored the fourth double of his career against the Knights in just his 10th NRL game.
It means there is plenty to like about the fullback Stuart took a punt on thanks to the advice of his right-hand man.
"To be honest I didn’t know a lot about Charnze. I have to give Andrew McFadden the credit there, because he spoke to me about the quality of the kid," Stuart said.
"That was a tough game [against Newcastle], it wasn’t a flairy, attractive environment to play in. He had to play tough and he did. He has been a wonderful addition to the quad and to the club. He is a good person and he has been great for the club."
