Brad Arthur admits Eels were ‘scrappy’ in Souths trial, but they ‘got what they needed’

Thomas Burgess appears set to become South Sydney’s new pack leader after leading their reserve grade side to a 28-24 NRL pre-season upset of Parramatta.

Burgess was the only first-grade regular to run out for the Rabbitohs against a seasoned Eels line-up at Ringrose Park on Friday night.

And, in his first game since the departure of brothers Sam and George, Burgess stepped up with a barnstorming try in 50 minutes of action.

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Round 1

Bankwest Stadium
Mar 12 2020
8:05PM

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GIO Stadium
Mar 13 2020
6:00PM

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Queensland Country Bank Stadium
Mar 13 2020
8:05PM

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McDonald Jones Stadium
Mar 14 2020
3:00PM

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ANZ Stadium
Mar 14 2020
5:30PM

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Panthers Stadium
Mar 14 2020
7:35PM

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Lottoland
Mar 15 2020
4:05PM

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WIN Stadium
Mar 15 2020
6:15PM

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Son of a gun finds the line

0:36

Corey Allan also impressed at fullback with a try and try assist, while Kaeon Koloamatangi and Jack Johns also had some good touches.

It was somewhat of a reality check for the Eels, who boasted the likes of Michael Jennings, Shaun Lane, Reed Mahoney, Marata Niukore and Nathan Brown in their line-up.

It also marked the first Eels outing for summer buy Reagan Campbell-Gillard, who produced a number of strong carries in the opening exchanges.

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The former Penrith prop was solid in a 20-minute blowout, while most of the other Eels stars were also put on ice by coach Brad Arthur after halftime.

“It was a bit scrappy but we got what we needed to get out of it. We got some runs into some of those forwards early. And no injuries, which was good,” Arthur said.

“(Reagan) didn’t have to do a lot of defence because we had a bit of ball there early but he put his hand up to have some strong carries.

“He said he felt good, his lungs felt good, which is the main thing. I just wanted to get him a blow and see how he goes.”

NRL's next Fijian star?

0:39

Mahoney impressed in his typically busy first-half stint, which included a short-side grubber for winger Haze Dunster.

Jennings brushed off the cobwebs with a first-half try, although the Rabbitohs took an unlikely halftime lead through tries to Allan and Jaxson Paulo.

Paulo finished with two for the night, while journeyman Hame Sele also gave the club some food for thought as he attempts to earn a fulltime deal.

The only injury was a first-half concussion to Rabbitohs signing Corey Denniss. Former St George Illawarra playmaker Jai Field was a late inclusion in the Eels side after his mooted move to Super League fell through.

Field played the second spell at fullback and is on a pre-season deal with the club, who have one spot remaining on their 30-man roster.

"I like the signing of Kelly, it gives our outside backs, Russell and Simmonson a bit of competition. Most of the narrative around Kelly's signing has been about his terrible defence. I watched four Titans games from this year, his defence is not as…"

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"I read a few eels forums and there is always lots of infighting. Seperating the politics is a good idea as it is toxic and devisive. I actually think think the quality of this site has improved somewhat in the last year or so. "

Replies

MontoEel February 22, 2020 at 10:25am

Brad got what he want, wonder what it was?
- Parramate2 > MontoEel February 22, 2020 at 11:46am
  
  Monto it would be stupid to go out in a trial and try and win at all costs. The years we won the wooden spoons we flogged teams in the trials. Trials are to get the players some match fitness before the season properly starts. I watched roosters lose to northern eagles in a trial 2002. Roosters won the premiership that year did they not?
  - Pork n Beans > Parramate2 February 22, 2020 at 1:13pm
    
    I remember how amazing we were in the knights trial in 2018. What a shame.
- Parramate2 > MontoEel February 22, 2020 at 11:50am
  
  Oh and brad fittler played that day too
- the eggman > MontoEel February 22, 2020 at 3:57pm
  
  He just wanted to give Gillard a blow.
  - wazzamatta > the eggman February 22, 2020 at 4:12pm
    
    Yeah I thought that comment was probably best kept to himself. It’s a family game.
DanMan February 22, 2020 at 3:18pm

Remember the dizzying highs of 2011 when super coach Kearney took us on an undefeated run through the trials? Beating the Titans in the final round mean we avoided the spoon by a single point. But those trial wins, man were they great days...
- Parramate2 > DanMan February 22, 2020 at 3:39pm
  
  😂 haha
This reply was deleted.
- Sir Col "THE NODDY MUSHROOM" February 23, 2020 at 3:41pm
  
  Commitment to the game will defeat over inflated ego and arrogance any day Tad.
SuperEel 22 February 24, 2020 at 9:49am

I don't understand how you can have an upset in a trial match. Parramatta rotated out virtually all their NRL players at half time, Souths fielded a side mostly of players fighting for first grade games. It's deadset moronic to have favourites or anything of the sort in trial games given both sides are really trying to get some fitness, some combinations and evaluate some of the guys looking to crack first grade.