NINE games.
That’s all almost half Parramatta’s current team have left to show why they deserve to remain at the NRL club as the last-placed Eels begin planning for next season.
Seven of the 17 players named to take on St George Illawarra on Thursday are without a home next year, including high-profile star Jarryd Hayne.
However coach Brad Arthur went one step further on Wednesday, saying even those contracted are fighting to retain their spots in 2019.
He insisted their priority is to finish with more wins than losses over the final nine matches.
“We want to do a bit of planning for next year but we need to make sure that we finish the year with more wins than losses,” Arthur told AAP.
“A lot of blokes are actually playing for next year as well. Some blokes are off-contract, some blokes are looking to play to cement a spot for next year.”
Arthur was unwilling to discuss speculation surrounding the future of contracted five-eighth Corey Norman, who has been linked with rival clubs Gold Coast and Parramatta in recent weeks.
Norman has one more year left on his deal but could be on the outer following reports the Eels have sounded out off-contract Canberra playmaker Blake Austin.
Despite fighting to stave off the wooden spoon, Arthur said everyone was also fighting for their future.
“It’s a big time for all of us. Even the players that are contracted next year, they’d like to get their futures secured sooner than later,” he said.
“But the only way we can do that is with some good form at the back end of the year.”
The Eels’ season sunk to another low this week after confirmation second-rower Manu Ma’u has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a fractured cheekbone playing for Tonga.
While the injury would have allowed the club to apply for a salary cap exemption due to it occurring during the representative round, Arthur is keen on simply giving time to youngster Marata Niukore.
Niukore is one of a number of forwards without deals next year, including David Gower, Peni Terepo, Siosai Vave and Suaia Matagi, while the club has signed Junior Paulo and Shaun Lane.
“It’s disappointing for Manu because he’s been one of our better, more consistent players,” Arthur said.
“We’ve played (Niukore) a bit in the middle and he’s struggled at times with the pace of it but he’s gotten better and better. Now he gets an opportunity to play in his preferred position on the edge.
“We’ll see if he can punch out 80 minutes for us.”
Replies
Hi Tad, that begs the obvious question. Is BA capable of getting the team to change their playing style at this stage of the season?
Michael, that's a very big good question. My answer would be that as this is very much an ultimatum time for the players, and I have found the exact same article on at least 2 other RL sites, so its very public statement, so looking over the players that are on the off contract list and name in the original 23 list would include the 7 off contract players that's the biggest bench so far, even though its been cut down by 3.
Looking beyond those named, there's also a couple of off contract players named in the ISP squad, separate to the NRL squad, which I would doubt be included even in the maybe list.
Based on all of that, we know the team can play good football at times, so the ball is in their courts to get their acts together and play just like they did way back in the Maitland trial game. That I believe was the game plan that BA had for the team and they have been the ones to deviate from it, and that is also where BA will likely point them to. If you think you are worth a contract then show it on the paddock, just like you have done previously.
How many games does Brad get to prove himself?
A much better question Ken, we are stone motherless last and a total rabble. But that doesn't matter with the clowns in charge as long as they can save some cash. Fans are voting with their feet watch are crowds get really ugly for the rest of the season.
How does players play in England Off the books? If they are contracted players and cannot get a run elsewhere, they would be better value in ISP, at least that way we get some return for them being paid, I also could not see that they would not be included in the cap as they are being paid for by the club.
So lets just say they play out of their skin for the last nine games.Money ball signs them all up and next year they play shit again and we are stuck with the same bullshit pressers from arthur.Sorry but id be pissing them all off they have had their chance.
Kendoza, if we lose against the saints tomorrow night, I would suggest the following game will have changes especially pulling out those who do the bludge.
Hasn't he had 16 rounds to do this??? Can't believe this bloke still has a job let alone will be here next season.
The clowns running the club are a disgrace.
Exactly!
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