On Thursday night, against an understrength Sydney Roosters team, the Parramatta Eels slumped to their third loss in four games.
By the end of the game, I was furious.
Throughout the year (and in preceding years too), Parra have been criticised for being a decent team, without the skill to really make a dent in the finals.
On Thursday night, after a couple of wobbly weeks, the Eels had the chance to show that they were at least still in contention to make an impact in the finals. Instead they put in one of their worst performances in years, being kept to zero on the scoreboard.
It’s maddening because after a promising start to the season, with each loss a top-four finish looks further away, particularly when you consider the Eels’ final games see them play the Panthers, Storm, Rabbitohs and Sea Eagles.
While that’s the toughest run home out of any team, if Parramatta are serious about finals footy, these are the teams they need to beat.
But what made me even angrier than Thursday night’s insipid performance is the criticism I continue to see of Brad Arthur.
There are footy fans who think he is a pretender. That he can’t coach.
But that shows tremendous disrespect to a man who has transformed the Eels from perennial cellar-dwellers to top four contenders year after year.
At the start of the year, with a heavy heart, I said that if Arthur could not get Parramatta past Week 2 of the finals, then it was time for the club to start looking for a new coach.
I stand by this but, despite the results of the last couple of weeks, remain adamant that no decision needs to be made until the end of the year.
Arthur’s teams have bowed out in Week 2 of the finals in three out of the last four years. But particularly in the last two years, despite technically finishing in the same position, there was marked improvement.
In 2019, the Eels lost to Melbourne 32-0 in Week 2 and never looked like they were in the game.
In 2020, the blue and gold were out in Week 2 again, but the difference was that they were well and truly in the game against the Rabbitohs.
It was a difficult lead-up too, with the three of the team’s regular backline players missing, including finding out on the morning of the game that Michael Jennings would be unavailable due to a positive drug test.
This year, the goal had to be to improve again and that could only be by progressing past Week 2 of the finals. If Arthur cannot deliver this, it is time to start looking for someone who can.
But Parramatta would do this with a heavy heart because Arthur is a good coach.
He took the reins as a caretaker coach at a club in crisis and he has led the organisation through some heavy storms. He kept the squad together during the 2016 salary-cap crisis, and has seen multiple changes in personnel, including several chairs and CEOs.
But throughout that entire period of disruption there has been clear improvement.
He leads a team that consistently appears in the finals, with the likes of Nathan Brown, Clint Gutherson, Junior Paulo and Mitch Moses playing State of Origin.
The forward pack used to be constantly accused of having a soft underbelly. This is no longer the case.
Recruitment has also improved, with players like Isaiah Papali’i coming to the club and making significant improvements in their game.
While all these things are good, the fans want a premiership and it remains to be seen whether Arthur can deliver one.
But regardless of whether he can, when he eventually leaves the club, I and many other fans will no doubt owe him a debt of gratitude.
So often people involved in sport or an organisation say their goal is to leave a place better than when they found it.
Arthur can certainly say he has done that at Parramatta.
Originally published on The Roar: https://www.theroar.com.au/2021/08/04/premiership-win-or-no-eels-fans-owe-brad-arthur-a-debt-of-gratitude/
Replies
Bring Bennett stuff athur
In Bennett we trust
What a great statement. There are those on 1eyed who can't say anything without personal abuse and negativity.
My view is if replacing BA just make sure it is with someone better. I have not seen any posts on here that make me confident this can be done at the end of this year.
For those pushing Bennett, I have one word ..ll Newcastle!
I have two words to counter your one word of Newcastle..........Nathan Tinkler!
I have two words "7 Premierships"
Spot on Blue Eel
Yep .. we don't have to look too far from home to know the impact of a bad front office .. no surprise parra's turn around started with administration
He will definitely leave a great legacy at the club.
He genuinely loves the club and deserves all the accolades that he has been given.
I have also heard rediculous statements that due to his service, he deserves the role for life or whenever he decides to retire which is outright stupidity.
I trust when the time comes that the lemon is dry, mature professionals will make a call that benefits all parties and allows Brad to depart with the grace and respect that he deserves.
Well said
There were rumours swirling last year or so that he was being sought to take over head of football or something like that at the club after 2022 or 2023. Again that quickly died down but if he wins a comp in next two years than maybe he deserves that role.
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