The Canberra Raiders have extended coach Ricky Stuart's contract until the end of the 2020 NRL season.
Stuart was coming off contract at the end of 2018 but after the Raiders board met last month it is understood they agreed to green light an option in his contract to extend his tenure at the Green Machine for another two seasons.
Canberra enjoyed its best season in two decades under Stuart last year and fell just one game short of a grand final berth. But they've struggled to live up their favourites tag in 2017 and currently sit 10th on a congested NRL ladder.
Despite the disappointing results, the Raiders have been in all but one of their games this season and lost three in golden-point extra time.
Fans and players alike have been impressed with Stuart's first three-and-a-bit years at the helm and many feel only slight tweaks are required for the Raiders to become genuine premiership contenders.
Stuart has been praised for bringing together a motivated side that's hungry to bring Canberra its first premiership since 1994, while also being able to attract top players to the nation's capital.
Stuart's a great ambassador for the club, having been a part of Canberra's glory days in the late 1980s and early '90s, has made the fans happy and brought the crowds back to Canberra Stadium.
Born in Queanbeyan, the Raiders mentor has family close by and has forged strong bonds with the community through his work with the Ricky Stuart Foundation, which works to raise money and awareness for autism.
