And he was expecting the England international would only feel more at ease in his second campaign in the co-captaincy role alongside Jarrod Croker.

It's why Stuart didn't hesitate to let him go home for Christmas - the first time in two years he'll be able to see his family.

Fellow Englishman Ryan Sutton's also jetting home for the Festive Season after Australia re-opened to the world following two years of coronavirus border closures.

Family's massively important to Stuart and he saw firsthand how much it also meant to his Green Machine last Christmas when he played Santa Claus for all the stranded members of his team.

"Aussie" Whitehead's decided to make Canberra his long-term home after he became an Australian resident this year.

The 32-year-old's signed on with the Raiders until the end of the 2024 NRL season and there's already talk of him potentially transition into their coaching ranks once he's hung up the boots.

It's been a tough two years for Canberra's legions of Englishman, cut off from their families as the COVID-19 pandemic swept the world.

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It led to former Raiders halfback George Williams leaving due to homesickness.

But with Australia now getting rid of quarantine for the fully vaccinated the door's opened for Whitehead and Sutton to spend some much overdue time with family and friends.

"He came to me not long ago when the borders opened up and asked me if he could go home to have time with his family and there was no hesitation at all," Stuart said.

"I told him he could have a little bit more time off on the back end of the Christmas break, another three or four days.

"Ryan Sutton's also going to take that opportunity.

"I know family's important to all the boys. I noticed that last year Christmas Day when they all came over home and I got a video of their parents, brothers and sisters made up from England and I could just sense what I know of family - that you miss not seeing them and you miss not being there with them.

"I'm really happy Elliott and Sutto get the opportunity to go back home and see them."

Stuart was grateful for the way Whitehead stepped up this year.

He took over the co-captaincy role vacated by countryman Josh Hodgson midway through the campaign - at a time when the Raiders were struggling.

They were in the middle of an eight-game losing streak, Williams went home and some players' wives were firing potshots at Stuart via social media.

"He got the captaincy when the team was under some adversity with our losses and got the captaincy in an awkward fashion - under some pressure and issues that were facing the team," Stuart said.

"Elliott's strength of camaraderie and maturity was a real help for me as coach. I could rely upon his honesty, I could rely upon him as a bloke I can trust.

"The team and myself need that strong leadership from Elliott and it's something going into the New Year that he'll find himself at more ease at captain now after the way he got the captaincy. "

Whitehead's become noticeably more comfortable talking to the media.

"Ever since he got the captaincy he has played more of a significant role - and not over talking," Stuart said.

"On the field he's always very busy, he has a high workload and he's always catching his breath when he's not arguing with the referee.

"But as I told the referee's boss, 'Don't feel bad about that, he argues with me every day so don't feel as though you're singled out'.

"He has increased his amount of talking around the team, especially preparation, and it's needed.

"I needed him to do it too because it's important from a captain's point of view that he's vocal and has strong opinions."