SEN’s Michelle Bishop has supported the explosive claims that the Parramatta Eels have a culture of nepotism in the selection of players and appointment of stars.
The Eels launched an internal review, headed by former Warriors coach Nathan Brown, into their elite pathways. The findings of this review were leaked on the eve of Friday night’s semi-final clash against the Canberra Raiders.
Bishop said that the claims of nepotism were founded in truth and there are further cultural issues at the club that weren’t revealed in the report.
“The fact that someone has picked the eve of the club’s biggest game of the year to leak this screams concern for me,” Bishop said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“As a reporter, we visit the clubs on a daily basis and I can tell you the culture is different and the behaviour is different to any NRL club I visit.
“(The review) has found a perception of nepotism in the appointment of coaches and staff.
“The club needs better connection between the lower grade teams and the acknowledgment of all staff across all programs could be better.
“The nepotism wasn’t linked to coach Brad Arthur and his son Jake.
“These findings don’t surprise me.”
Bishop further revealed that the Eels were at times unprofessional when dealing with media and that reporters were sometimes left waiting for over an hour to have access to players and coaches.
Furthermore, the leak revealed frequent unrest between senior players and Brad Arthur’s team selections.
“There are reports of senior players who are questioning the selection of Brad Arthur throughout the entire season,” Bishop added.
“On more than one occasion, players were fronting him and (asking) what’s going on.
“In particular overlooking Nathan Brown who is an Origin player and has been (ignored) all year.
“It’s just my opinion but it’s not my favourite club to deal with.
“There isn’t a great deal of control over some of the players and I feel like I’m attending a schoolyard rather than a professional NRL outfit.”
Replies
So pretty much exactly the same as yesterday report just with a personal opinion? World class journalism by Bishop.
BA seemed pretty adamant around this situation in the presser after the game last night.I'll be sticking with the coach whose built the team and has the pulse of the team over any reporter.
Coryn, BA's pressor last night was one of his best, IMO. Can't recall a better one.
What pleased me was how the team performed last night. Their response. That's what counts.
They were on, they played to their strengths, and they played as One.
Everyone played their part within their assigned roles. And we can't ask for more than that.
Ultimately, nepotism, bias, and favouritism are universal ingredients in many organisations and groups; everywhere. It's throughout the entire animal kingdom, from old boys to old girls, from us to hyenas (ruled by a matriarchy). Let's not be naive about it.
Every club, every organisation, every family will have some internal issues and dramas. Some dysfunctionality. Some dirty laundry that is best kept private. And we do, too. I think it's naive to assume we don't or there is not some truths to these reports. It's a realy pity some of our dirty laundry was leaked. That's disappointing, and obviously "agenda" driven as BA rightfully said.
Look, there is a personal vendetta against Nathan Brown (the one with hair). Odds on he won't be in 17 next week come game day. It's a pretty safe bet he won't play even if there is an HIA and the opportunity presents itself.
And admittedly, seeing JA on the bench (he'll be there next week in the 17 unless injury strikes) makes me nervous. But if The Fifteen And A Bit (Makatoa played limited minutes as usual with 13' and JA not much more) play like they did last night, we might be able to ride the tide of an upset next week.
Perhaps, the silver lining to these agenda-driven leaks and the inevitable media-bash ups is they might help galvanize the team to "not break".
The opposite of what may have been intended.
This year, we seem to play better when we need to bounce back after getting bashed up and knocked down a peg or two, and can continue it for a few weeks before dropping our bundle again. Fortunately, we only need a few weeks.
All these claims of nepotism/favourtism are non sense. People, including so called fans, may not like Brad's coaching style but it has nothing to do with corruption.
Think back to the following players:
It is Brad's coaching 'style' to be (some would say overly) loyal to players that are willing to put in.
Since the 'leak' of the Nathan Brown pathways report there have been many posts about how it was all done to hurt Parra. Most of the posters are the same who for months post over the top, vile, derogratory posts about BA and his family. The repetition of these posts and memes have done far worse damage than the 'leaking' of the pathways report.
Don't posters realise this is a public blog read by many in the media and Rugby League followers? If a journalist or anyone want to hurt Parra they can get plenty of ammuniton here. While it might not have been the posters out there booing JA many sure as hell contributed to the environment of toxic pool of excrement being flung.
Sure crtitize BA but many of the posts clearly cross a line eg., BA the most hated ever, Charles Manson, corruption, stating JA gets picked to trigger a clause for an upgrade, endless Memes of JA.
I don't get some of Brad's selections either and disagree but it just his style and it came good for the 5 players menitioned above. Brad bleeds blue and gold and is man of integrity it sometimes makes me ashamed to read the posts put on here for their own enjoyment and grandisoment.
Great reply!!
Elvis, nope. Appreciate you sharing, but not everything you said is true.
Actually, on some matters, very far from it.
Cognitive Dissonance.
Add Opacic to that list as well.
I agree with some of what you have said, but I will pose this question: Why is Brad not loyal to Nathan Brown? At times he's gone out onto the field and played with no thought of self preservation. In fact you could argue he plays the exact style that BA asks for week in week out.
Meelk, you're right. And it's ironic, yes, on so many levels?
But the reason behind it is between him and Brad - and something only the latter knows the entire story.
NB deserves better after his years of service, but it's in his best interests to move to another club.
The only silver lining I see to all this, as peeved off as he must be and probably a bit confused and frustrated, is at least his body is being preserved for his next career move and still getting paid.
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