Calm Ricky Stuart behind Raiders revival as history awaits

Or even when his Canberra Raiders are locked in battle with South Sydney in their preliminary final at Canberra Stadium on Friday.

But, having seen both end's of his coaching career, Raiders prop Sia Soliola says that's exactly what's happened.

Stuart's known for his passion, especially for the Green Machine, and it was there for all to see when they knocked off the Melbourne Storm to earn a spot in the prelim.

His fingerprints all over the coaches box from banging on the window in triumph.

And when he's sitting on the sideline - celebrating his players' feats.

Stuart gave Soliola his NRL debut, when he started him on the Sydney Roosters wing against Souths in 2005.

Since then Soliola has slowly worked his way into the middle of the field - centres, then second row and now either prop or lock.

At the same time, Stuart's "calmed down" as his coaching career progressed.

They spent two seasons together at the Roosters, before Stuart picked up the phone to England to bring Soliola to Canberra in 2015.

That was to help build the culture of the Green Machine.

Just visit the soup kitchen in Civic on a Monday morning to watch Soliola feeding the homeless to see why.

They've spent the past five seasons together, building the Raiders up to their biggest home game in history.

Now they're just 80 minutes away from ending a 25-year grand final drought.

"He was very tough at the start. He'd tell you himself. He had a lot of success at the start of his coaching career with the Roosters," Soliola said.

"He is passionate now, but he just shows it in a different way. He has calmed down a little bit, and when I say a little bit, that's a lot.

"I've known him differently. When I was younger I was learning more about the game, and that's where my growth with Ricky was big.

"The biggest thing I really appreciate about Ricky is he taught me about ... what it is to be mentally tough.

"I'm a bit more mature now. I actually came to the Raiders to help him to change the club culture in general.

"That's why I came here, that's what he sold about this place, and I've been watching him for the past four or five years and learning how he manages everyone.

"From the foundation, from his family, us as players, to our coaching staff as well. I have gained a whole new-found respect for Rick."

Raiders co-captain Josh Hodgson said Stuart had been behind their climb back into the top four.

But he said the way he used his coaches and senior players had also played a role.

"He's had a massive role in that, but he's also allowed people to help him this year and have an influence in what he's doing and relied on other players," Hodgson said.

"Especially the assistant coaches and the senior players just to give him feedback and take it onboard and roll with what they're thinking.

"I think it's really helped him this year. He's a great fella 'Stick', he loves the club and he just wants to see it where he believes it should be - and that's being in semi-finals every year.

"He'll do whatever he can to do it."

NRL PRELIMINARY FINAL

Friday: Canberra Raiders v South Sydney at Canberra Stadium, 7.50pm.

Raiders squad: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Nick Cotric, 3. Jarrod Croker (c), 4. Joey Leilua, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. Aidan Sezer, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Josh Hodgson (c), 10. Sia Soliola, 11. John Bateman, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Joe Tapine. Interchange: 14. Bailey Simonsson, 15. Emre Guler, 16. Corey Horsburgh, 17. Dunamis Lui. Reserves: 18. Sam Williams, 19. Ryan Sutton, 20. Siliva Havili, 21. Sebastian Kris.

Rabbitohs squad: 1. Adam Doueihi, 2. Alex Johnston, 3. James Roberts, 4. Dane Gagai, 5. Campbell Graham, 6. Cody Walker, 7. Adam Reynolds, 8. Thomas Burgess, 9. Damien Cook, 10. Liam Knight, 11. John Sutton, 12. Sam Burgess (c), 13. Cameron Murray. Interchange: 14. George Burgess, 15. Junior Tatola, 16. Ethan Lowe, 17. Mark Nicholls. Reserves: 18. Jaydn Su'A, 19. Corey Allan, 20. Dean Britt, 21. Mawene Hiroti.