EXCLUSIVE: Brad Arthur's mindset shift after disappointing Parramatta season
Brad Arthur had become accustomed to seeing his side play finals football and compete for NRL premierships - but a disappointing 2023 campaign has forced a shift from the experienced coach.
After four consecutive years playing in September and one grand final appearance, Parramatta finished outside the top eight due to roster changes, injuries and suspensions throughout the year.
Dylan Brown and Ryan Matterson both spent time on the sidelines, while second-rower Shaun Lane was restricted to just 10 appearances for the Eels in a horror season.
And while the excuses could have flown in from Arthur, a new-look approach in the off-season has Parra humming ahead of the trial period, according to Lane.
"I think he has understood more so than ever the importance of being unified as a team and all working together towards the same goal," Lane told Wide World of Sports.
"I know he's been doing a lot of work on himself too, it doesn't just stop with us - it starts with our leadership and he's done a great job working on himself over the off-season and figuring out what he needs to do better for us.
"I think it's coming out in our pre-season training program, it feels like the best program I've ever been put through. It's actually been quite enjoyable considering the fact you're getting flogged every day.
"I've been really impressed with Brad in this off-season and I'm confident in what he's been feeding to us."
The 49-year-old has been at the forefront of the blue and gold franchise for the past decade, reaching the 250-game milestone last year, but Arthur yet to lead the Eels to a drought-breaking title.
However, despite the lack of additions to the club's trophy cabinet, the coach has forged a strong relationship with a number of players - including reliable captain Clint Gutherson, enigmatic halfback Mitchell Moses and representative front-rower Junior Paulo.
And with Arthur and the entire squad forced to watch the finals series from their living rooms last year, Gutherson knows that will only make the coach hungrier.
"He's just become more driven, like all of us," he said.
"You never want to be sitting back watching the big games on TV - you want to be in them and give yourself a chance to win them.
"It's just more drive and more motivation and Brad is no different, he leads from the front every single year. He's the first person to put his hand up when things go wrong.
"The boys have bought into what he is trying to push this year ... it's a great feeling at the club right now. "
Parramatta will kick off its season on Saturday, March 9 against the Bulldogs.
Replies
That's encouraging
My mindset has changed also over this off season, from GTFO next year to GTFO now ..
Brad has put his hand up way too often, more than most coaches ever get. FO now
Unified as a team??? Why weren't they unified last year?
I'd like to know what changes ba has mane in his defensive assistants knowing we had the worst goal line d in the comp . Where is the new defensive coach ?
Nothing on Lane, he's a class act, but there's been plenty of talk this pre season, - but did we sign a new defensive coordinator???
Yeah BAs learning alright - hes looking to buy closer to the stadium now so it's only a 3 minute walk instead of 7...
Hehehehe
Well it is worth noting that even Bennett changed his staff every 3-4 years to keep up with the game. He would constantly bring in players from clubs he could not get ahead of.
Unity is abolutely critical. Why aren't they unified every season?
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