Jaeman Salmon has reignited his long-running feud with Raiders coach Ricky Stuart by appearing to mouth the words “weak-gutted dog” to the cameras after scoring for the Bulldogs—prompting a light-hearted response from Stuart after the match.
The animosity between the pair dates back to 2022, when Salmon kicked Tom Starling and injured the Raiders hooker during a game. In the aftermath, Stuart famously said: “I’ve had history with that kid… He was a weak-gutted dog as a kid, and he hasn’t changed now.” Stuart was fined and suspended for the remark, though he never publicly explained the origin of the bad blood.
Fast forward three years, and the phrase still lingers. After scoring in the 46th minute at GIO Stadium, Salmon sought out the broadcast cameras and appeared to repeat the insult.
When asked about it post-game, Stuart laughed and responded: “Honestly, how much do you really think I care about that?”
Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo declined to wade into the controversy, saying the matter was strictly between Salmon and Stuart.
This isn’t the first time the feud has flared up. Salmon was seen yelling the same insult in 2023 while playing for the Panthers against the Raiders—an act Panthers coach Ivan Cleary brushed off as “good karma.”
As for the match itself, the Raiders got off to a flying start, racing to a 20-0 lead with tries from Zac Hosking, Kaeo Weekes, Xavier Savage, and Hudson Young. But the Bulldogs flipped the script after halftime.
Stephen Crichton opened their account before Salmon added his try. Marcelo Montoya and Max King followed, putting the Bulldogs in front. Viliame Kikau and Jacob Kiraz added to the tally, completing a dramatic turnaround.
To make matters worse for Canberra, new signing Matty Nicholson left the field with a suspected ankle injury in the dying moments.
“That’s a bitter blow,” Dan Ginnane commented on Fox League, as the Bulldogs sealed a 32-20 victory.
“What a huge win,” added Mick Ennis.
