Sections of local media got their noses out of joint by Stuart's dismissive attitude in the wake of the Raiders' 30-8 loss to the Warriors at Mt Smart Stadium on Saturday.
The downcast 48-year-old was his usual reluctant self when fielding questions at the post-match press conference. Afterwards he flatly refused to speak briefly with a radio reporter, as is customary for both the home and away coaches.
I'm not excusing his actions but I'm certainly not surprised by them and in this instance I don't think his behavior or attitude was all that bad.
Most coaches downplay or completely ignore their own side's shortcomings and talk up the positive aspects of the performance. Not many coaches will offer their opinion on the opposition's performance, particularly if his side was on the wrong end of a five tries to one thrashing.
Stuart wears his heart on his sleeve: He loves his players and will defend them at all times, and the pain of defeat cuts deep and is worn visibly across his furrowed brow.
I like that and find him hugely entertaining and even amusing.
And while Stuart has a long-held reputation for having a short fuse and being difficult to deal with, he certainly isn't the only NRL coach to follow that line.
Canterbury's Des Hasler, and to a lesser extent his old Manly teammate and current Sea Eagles coach, Geoff Toovey, also have strained relationships with the media. But both, for the most part, are able to keep their emotions in check - most of the time.
But try getting a straight answer out of Hasler. Or a comment on how the Warriors are travelling. Or make an audacious request for a pre-game radio interview, as I tried last season.
He is just as likely to deny your request, give you the run-around, or offer a glib off-hand response, particularly if you happen to be a pesky Kiwi reporter.
Regardless, coaches like Stuart and Hasler are great characters. Anticipation and some degree of excitement always precede the Bulldogs and Raiders post-match press-gatherings.
I always live in hope that one of them will vent their frustrations, take offence to a line of questioning, or storm out in anger. It doesn't always happen but when it does we all have plenty to write and laugh about later.
I understand why people - particularly New Zealanders - think Stuart is a poor sport and a terrible loser. There were many examples of that abrasive behavior during his playing days and have been many more since.
The embarrassing tirade of abuse Stuart unleashed upon referee Ashley Klein, during a chance encounter in a Brisbane hotel lobby the morning after the Kiwis upset his Kangaroos side in the 2008 World Cup final, is often cited as a key example of his poor character and inability to be gracious in defeat.
Since then there have been numerous other transgressions, outbursts, walk-outs, and $10,000 fines but Stuart could care less.
But beneath that gruff exterior there is an awareness of the hole he has dug himself into over the years.
Speaking with some emotion after the Raiders' round seven win over the Tigers, he chuckled at a question about how he coped with the constant verbal directed his way by Leichardt Oval fans.
"People give it to me everywhere I go," he said. "It doesn't bother me anymore. It really doesn't."
He might not be everybody's cup of tea but the game would be poorer and less colourful for his absence.
