We have King Gutho as our Captain, and now with news that Brad Arthur will be receive an extension taking in 2025, making him the longest serving Eels coach in history. Welcome to King Arthurs Court.
The Man In Charge:
Bradley Arthur, Born 1974 in Sydney NSW was born with Blue and Gold Blood running through his veins. Playing for his favourite NRL club the Mighty Parramatta Eels as a youngster in the SG Ball team and then into under 21s playing on game days before the first grade squad, a first grade career was not to be though. Brad Arthur returned to the club in 2011 as an assistant 1st grade coach, taking over the first grade squad for 6 games in 2012, and Finally begining his Reign as full time head coach in 2014 after previous coaches scored 2 wooden spoons in a row.
The Parramatta Eels considered a basket case and a bunch of no-hopers at the begining of his reign have been transformed into Title contenders, and regular finalists. Boasting since that terrible 2018 year a win ratio of 65% , the man in charge has stood at the forefront each week. A coach that has developed players like Reed Mahoney, Ice Papailli, Clint Gutherson, Shaun Lane, Mitchell Moses, Reagan Campbell Gillard from clubs that had discarded them, to youngsters Will Penisini, Dylan Brown and Jaymane Hopgood. Brad Arthur is able to bond, unite and improve players once considered not up to regular first grade. A real bonus in the Salary Cap dictated world of the NRL.
As BA is set to reign untill 2025 his record of finals surely set to continue adding to our last 4 years in a row. A grandfinal appearance last year galvanising even the hardest judges under the one flag. A blue and Gold one with the Eel wrapped around it. Albeit for some it only lasted till our first loss this year, I get the feeling the man behind the court is leaving no stone unturned in our quest to break the mighty 36 year voodoo. Recent requests to sign Tapau, Klemmer, Lodge, Frizell going no where with the retention committee unable or unwilling to act upon. The loss of Mahoney and Ice, hitting the Eels hard with BA a staunch defender of both players but not getting his way with the retention committee over ruling him. The loss of these two have hurt him and our Eels deeply, as we attempt to put out a team void of 10 Grandfinal players from last year. Not to be deterred BA has unearthed another couple of good players Doorey and Hopgood, the later is absolutley killing it under the BA way, with some experts predicting a state of origin career for the Penrith Reserve grader and now our highest Dally M point scorer so far this year.
Recent Weeks havnt been kind to our team with two losses to begin the year. A coaching extension at this time will have the nay sayers and those supporters not in BA's corner baying for blood and not the Blue and Gold type, that binds us all. They / You are entitled to your opinion, which i have no doubt will get louder as we face the Sea Eagles, Roosters, Dogs, Brisbane in the coming weeks. One thing I know though is that the man in charge will be front and centre to protect his players, front the media and answer the critics. You wont hear him back down nor whinge, thats not the Parramatta way these days. You will not hear him mention the 10 players missing from last years grandfinal team, nor the loss of Ice and Mahoney. He wont mention how mad he is with Ryan Matterson, Waqa Blake or Bailey Simonnson nor will he use only losing our two games in golden point and by 2 goal kicks.
He wont gloat that RCG, Moses and Hopgood made the team of the week either, his too busy trying to piece together a win next week. Thats the BA way, it appears he works even harder, behind the scenes so that come Monday hopefully those of us that throw a Blue and Gold jersey on as we watch the game have a grin from ear to ear.
The BA extension announced today will give our club and our team further continuity and assurance's of stability as we attempt to negotiate Mitch Moses signing. As they say the ball is now in BA's court. If he wins us a grandfinal perhaps we could change that to the ball is in King Arthurs Court. Time will tell.
Replies
No words
my favourite Carlo post in years ;)
I'd give you a virtual finger but im in a Catholic school carpark
Ouch
Oh my god I have so many distasteful replies to that one Carlz, I better just bite my tounge.
Welcome to the elite club BA.
Only prerequisite is to have coached one club for longer than 10 years and yet deliver diddley squat
You've made it to 12 years by the looks and I'm in no doubt you will end your time at Parra as it's longest serving coach and the longest serving 1st grade coach with zero premierships
Well done Parra and well done all involved...... fucking disgusting.
hahahahaha perhaps time will definetly tell.
Well I gather you are the unyielding loyalist lol ... Good for you. I personally need my team to strive to be the best, mediocrity is not in my vocabulary.
Thats a great word Eel4ever - STRIVE.
4 finals in a row - Throw in a grandfinal to boot - thats what we are sort of doing isnt it Striving to be the best come Sept.
Can I suggest mediocrity may be a team like Tigers in out around the 8 sometimes maybe the last few years or St George, Titans, Newcastle, Dogs, Warriors, Canberra.
Unyielding - No . Just think the scales should be balanced in commentary and that the good thats not discussed is sometimes put back into context.
BA should be held accountable and blind following is not in order. He should be called out when in the wrong. I do wonder if Mark O'Neill and McEldoff and previously Sarantinos should be held more accountable.
They are / were on the retention committee - All care but no responsibility. BA has missed out on keeping or buying certain players that effect the way we play. This committee may not be on the same page Id suggest. However its BA front and centre that takes all the heat.
Should the others deciding who stays who goes and what they get paid be put under more spotlight.
Brissy do you need a tissue, you can't be this angered most of the time. I think you need a time out and some cuddles mate.
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