Arthur asks Eels for dogfight to end Bunnies dominance
Brad Arthur will urge Parramatta to get into a dogfight with South Sydney as data reveals the true extent of the Eels's woes against the Rabbitohs in the six-again era.
Arthur insisted on Wednesday his team was not yet at the point of desperation, after last Saturday's loss to Canberra left them 14th on the ladder with a 4-7 record.
But they are well aware they must begin winning soon to turn their season around, after a slow start following last season's grand-final defeat.
In table-toppers South Sydney, they come up against their toughest opponent in recent years on Friday night at Allianz Stadium.
Since the start of 2020, Parramatta have lost all six games to Souths by an average margin of 23.67.
That record is by far the Eels's worst against any team during the six-again era, having beaten all other sides at least once.
Souths have out-run the Eels by almost 400 metres per game, broken the line 52 times to 14 and busted through 193 tackles to 114.
Outside backs have also accounted for 23 of the Rabbitohs' 36 tries against them in those matches, with Parramatta routinely beaten on the edges.
"They've had the wood over us for a while," Arthur admitted.
"The facts are there, but we haven't talked about it. We need to have a big focus on ourselves.
"We probably get them at a good time because they're playing really good footy. We need to win. Everyone's written us off. So it's a really good chance for us."Arthur said it was crucial for his side to not offer up attacking opportunities for the Rabbitohs.
"In the past every time they've touched us up we haven't completed well," Arthur said.
"And we've given them too much ball in the wrong end of the field. They like the footy off set starts at your tryline and they're very good at execution.
"So we've got to try and complete high, tackle well and drag them into a bit of a dogfight."
Arthur also confirmed the Eels were in the market to sign a middle after it emerged the club were pursuing Tigers forward Joe Ofahengaue for a mid-season switch.
Any deal is still some way from being completed, but there remains room on Parramatta's roster for a forward and outside back before the August trade deadline.
"We lost a lot of forwards last year and still probably haven't replaced those guys yet in our roster," Arthur said.
"We're still looking at quite a few forwards to bolster our squad. But we've got to make sure they're the right fit and they might fit now but do they fit for us next year?
"We don't want to rush into anything."
Replies
Arthur - "We probably get them at a good time".
mmmmmmm yep - On top of the ladder, won their last 6 in a row. Its Indigenous week with Latrell and co leading the way using their indigenous heritage as a war cry. The bunnies are at home in Gadigal and Eora country, they are $4 favourites to win the comp.
Yep great time for a dog fight - NOT.
I'll take 2 of what BA is smoking please !
You want him to forfeit?
Agree, what a knob it's a good time. He needed to come out praising how great Souths are, the best in the comp, they have the wood on us and as the betting agencies agree we are no chance. Put all the heat on Souths and emphasise we are no chance and have nothing to lose
I understood what he was saying. All pressure is on Souths to do a number on us. Not like they're coming off a loss, so it is better than versing them off a loss or two.
Our pack eg junior needs to take this game by the horns and tread that line of aggressiveness. I'm over these arrogant south's fans and their 3 teeth always bragging they own parra.
I think the boys should talk about it and, which I say they would be. Get together and smash these flat track bullies. I'm feeling eels by 10
Onya Jack . I too think the boys can do it .
Yeah not too sure we can accuse South's of being flat track bullies. We are the textbook flat track bully. I really thought we'd shaken the tag after the Cowboys semi finals game last year, but we have trippled down this season.
We need to push the boundaries of fair play, do whatever it takes to slow their ruck speed. Adopt some of the grubby acts that the Storm and Panthers use. Special attention given to Murray and Arrow
We have to go after Walker. Get in his ear, get in his head, unsettle him and get him off his game
Surely Junior plays well leading up to Origin selection
I hear BA has a secret tactic up his sleeve and has been putting Gutho through an Indigenous adoption course down in Nowra this week. Stand by for Clinton Neville Burrason to be named on the team sheet at the last minute.
As we can see Clinton has transformed this week after a smoke ceremony and will be performing the welcome to country speech at a Shoalhaven council GM meeting on Thursday night to make his Herritage official. Hopefully this will give us some leverage with the officials.
Before
After
-
1
-
2
-
3
-
4
of 4 Next