Brad Arthur has had enough of the speculation and innuendo regarding his future as Parramatta coach - and the Eels’ 36-year-wait for a title.
He doesn’t necessarily agree but newly re-signed Brad Arthur isn’t a fool — he knows his coaching legacy at Parramatta Eels will be judged purely on whether he can snap an excruciating 36-year premiership drought.
“Yep, I’m going to be judged on whether we win a premiership or not — that’s part of my job,” Arthur said. “I get it, don’t worry, I want to win one. I’m desperate to.”
After penning a two-year extension, Arthur opened up to News Corp on his new deal, the future, expectations and hunger.
GREAT EXPECTATIONS
While failing to win a grand final, Parramatta has emerged as an NRL juggernaut on and off the field.
“I started eight years ago and have I put the club in a better position than when I started? Definitely. And when I leave, the club will be in a better position than when I started,” Arthur said.
“Our fans, members and sponsors can come to every game and know we’ll be right in the game. We will have a crack at winning. We know we can match it with the good teams but the challenge for us is to find that extra bit now to make sure we’re doing that all the time.
“I know everyone wants us to win a comp and my expectations are the same, as is the board, players, everyone at the club. It’s hard to do but we’re doing our best. We’re not there but we’re getting closer.
“They’re tough to win. It’s hard to win each week. The hardest game to win is when you’ve lost a couple in a row and you’re trying to get back on the horse. At the start of the year, you have to get a few wins early. It’s a tough competition, every team is going out there wanting the same thing.
“Every side on their day can be a good team. Some teams have a little bit more class than others but you’ve only got to be off five or ten per cent and that’s enough.”
THE WAIT CONTINUES
As impressive as Parramatta were in the finals, the Eels fell short. Again.
“Four out of the last five years we have made it to week two of the finals. There are only a few clubs that can say that. But I think our club has also judged me on other things. That’s why they are keeping me.
“We are debuting young blokes, we are getting more local talent in the team, we are getting better and we are tight as a group. I don’t know too much about the finances but I know the club is doing well, sponsorship is good, we have a new stadium, there is a new facility (high performance centre).
“All those things contribute and I feel like the club is judging me on that. If it was just about a premiership maybe I would have been gone. We’re still not quite where we want to be but we’re in the top half a dozen clubs in the competition.
“That’s a good starting point for us. But we’re not content — we want to be better. No one is getting comfortable but we are doing a pretty good job.”
CONTRACT CONFIDENCE
The new deal extends Arthur’s tenure at Parramatta until the end of 2024.
Having agreed to a new two-year extension on Friday night, Arthur (202 games as head coach) is now expected to pass Brian Smith (243), who coached Parramatta for nine-and-a-half seasons between 1997 and 2006.
“I’m not too worried about records or my own personal milestones,” he said. “But it’s good for the club, good for my family but it’s also a good reflection on the board — led by Sean (McElduff, chairman) and Jim (Sarantinos, CEO) and the work of Mark (O’Neill, general manager of football).
“They have put a lot of faith in me, they believe in me. That helps because I’m not looking over my shoulder all the time. I’m comfortable with the decisions I make — I’m not making decisions scared. That’s how I want our team to play — don’t go out there trying not to lose, go out to win.
“The coach has a lot of responsibility and he has to get the job done but chopping and changing the coach all the time isn’t always the best long-term plan for a club, in my eyes. I reckon the club has done a good job by sticking to its guns.
“Parramatta has always been in my bloodline. Things don’t always go to plan but it would be great to continue to coach the club for as long as I can. But I’m also a realist, I know it has to come to an end at some stage.”
HUNGER AND DESIRE
Does the constant scrutiny, headlines and pressure affect him?
“No, I love it,” Arthur said. “I don’t take it personally because I know everyone has a job to do. Personally, all you guys in the media, sponsors and fans, you all have expectations, as we have, but I always feel like I’ve been treated fairly.
“If we’re not playing good enough and we’re not doing a good enough job, and you report on the facts, well they are the facts and I’ve got to wear it. I’m more than happy with that.
“I’ve only ever been treated fairly so it doesn’t worry me one bit. That’s part of my job. I know I get paid well to do it and I’ve got a good life. I don’t have one complaint — except not winning the comp.”
TIGHT KNIT GROUP
The TAB has Parramatta on the sixth line of betting for next season, paying $13 to claim the title. And Arthur knows his side can create history.
“We are keeping this team together. I feel that we got closer than ever this year — we know what it takes to be in the hunt in those finals, the intensity you need to play at. I reckon the boys will come back in the pre-season knowing that they’re good enough now,” he said.
“Sometimes belief is a bit of hope as well. But there is no more hope — they know they’re good enough and the goal is finding that level of intensity, desperation and desire every week. That is what clubs like the Melbourne Storm and Panthers do, that’s how they play every single week.
“Guys like Reed Mahoney and Dylan Brown haven’t yet got to 100 games. We’re still young as a squad. Will Penisini has played four or five NRL games and has now played in the finals for us. I know as a coach I’ve had an impact on players’ lives that have come to our team. Hopefully they have become better players and enjoy our club.”
PANTHER PREMIERS
Surely it must sting to watch bitter Western Sydney rivals Penrith win the grand final?
“I’m happy for Penrith. It’s good that a western Sydney club won the competition,” he said.
“It’s also good for us as well in that we’re not far off Penrith either. We were right in the contest with them (8-6 loss in elimination final). We were beaten by a goal kick in one of our biggest games of the year by the team that actually won the comp.
“I see it as a good thing that they did win the comp. Last year we were beaten by Melbourne and they went on and won the grand final. We’re right there in tough games. But no one is sitting back on our laurels and saying: ‘We’re getting close, that is good enough’. We’re not.”
OFF CONTRACT EELS
Parramatta has multiple star players coming off contract after next season, including Clint Gutherson, Reed Mahoney, Ryan Matterson and Junior Paulo
“That will take time. We have to get the process right. But we have the desire to keep every one of those blokes and everyone of those players has the desire to want to stay,” Arthur said. “It doesn’t always work out that way but we will be doing our utmost.
“It’s a good thing we have other clubs chasing our players. And it’s a good thing when bookies roll the odds out we’re in the top four, fix or six chances. It could be a lot worse — we could be down the bottom and no-one gives us a chance.
“If we’ve got other clubs chasing our players then obviously we’re doing something right.”
COVID QUEENSLAND
Arthur has snuck in a quick post-season holiday with family in Cairns. He returned to Sydney on Sunday.
“I’ve worked it out, I’ve been away for nearly 14, 15 weeks. We had to do it for the comp to keep going and it’s been better than what you guys have gone through in Sydney. It’s been good but I’m looking forward to getting home. I’m definitely not complaining,” he said.
EEL DEAL: PARRAMATTA KEEP FAITH IN KING ARTHUR
Arise King Arthur.
Just two months after his job was being questioned and dissected, Brad Arthur will become the longest-serving coach in Parramatta’s 74-year history.
Having agreed to a new two-year extension on Friday night, Arthur (202 games as head coach) is expected to pass Brian Smith (243), who coached Parramatta for nine-and-a-half seasons between 1997 and 2006.
Arthur now has three years to run down Smith’s 41-game lead. Like Smith, Arthur has yet to win a grand final.
A horrid mid-season stretch, where Arthur’s Eels lost five of six games, had the Eels coach under increasing pressure, despite having another year to run on his current deal.
Arthur, 47, fended off the criticism and has signed a new contract, keeping him in charge at Parramatta until the end of 2024.
Retaining Arthur is a robust sign of faith by Parramatta’s board. Arthur signed a two-year extension in August, 2020, and has now secured another term.
Having escaped from that mid-season slump, Parramatta reached week two of the NRL finals before being eliminated in a gruelling game by western Sydney neighbours and eventual premiers, Penrith.
“As a club we are all in this together, we share the same drive to constantly improve and set the standards that will deliver the results that our loyal members, fans and sponsors are looking for,” Arthur said.
Replies
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-news-shane-flanagan...
I feel the premiership window is wide open in 2022
Me too buddy. I think next year is our best shot in along time. There are a few positions we need to fill: bench prop, backup hooker, backup winger; but our run on squad is good enough to challenge for the title.
We need one class centre that can make a break
What about Penisini? He looks like a goer
We need a new halfback, someone that is going to lead us and steer us around the park.
Regards,
Scott
We aren't a top 4 team imo. Mid table and slightly above 6th to 10th. Again I expect a 6th to 8th finish and be knocked out early once again. We need new signings to advance and new assistants
We might be. It's hard to tell at this stage because the rosters aren't finished yet.
Panthers losing Capewell, Burton and Naden and Pangai should drop them down a couple places. Burton is the big one for me - with him they had a bonafide backup for Cleary and Luai and now that safety net is gone. Not to mention he was a weapon for them in the centres and they lose that too.
Souths are losing Reynolds, Burns, Gagai, Sua and Marshall which again should drop them down slightly. Losing their halfback might be enough to drop them out of the top 4.
Storm losing Hynes, Finucane, Addo Carr should hurt them slightly. It might not be enough to drop out of the top 4 but they shouldn't be first so easily without them.
Parra are a definite top 4 chance - I am reasonably confident we will stay top 6 and we are a decent chance to nab a top 4 spot.
Raptor, I don't know why everyone thinks that next year is beyond us. I know us Eels fans is damaged, we is, but some here have turned pathologically pessimistic.
I've already posted elsewhere, IF we get our homegames next year We finish top 4, Then win this fucking thing and get that gorrilla offs our backs.
Then Randy gets fucked up for at least a week(or2or3, fuck it, 'till chrissy).
Hmmm thinking negative BA doesn't get you to the last dance. I'm actually surprised and disappointed by some of his comments.
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