An interesting article that sheds some light on the Jake Arthur saga. Yes its another Post on this issue and I only put it up as it answers some questions that others have sought on 1EE. It puts some real facts out there and some behind the scenes thoughts on the why and how it supposed to work. There have been a lot of people post "why, someone explain why, and how - how can it work". I dont have to agree or disagree with it, but hey it does indicate how they believe they make it work. You guys can judge it, but I still found it interesting.
It was written a short time ago and not this week. Credit and acknowledgment to The Roar
'Me and Jakey have a little combo going on': Why there might be legs in Dylan Brown's run at centre for Parramatta
It’s been a case of ‘make do and mend’ for Parramatta of late as their outside back injury nightmare continues.
The Eels went into 2022 already missing Maiko Sivo until midseason, lost Haze Dunster in the first trial, Sean Russell in round one and Waqa Blake in round five.
The situation has gotten so bad that their standout player of the first month of the year, five eighth Dylan Brown, was switched into the centres to alleviate the outside back issues.
Jake Arthur, the reserve five eighth, deputised in the easy win away at Newcastle last Sunday night – but played a notably different role to what Brown had been doing.
Arthur, son of the coach Brad Arthur, was stationed on the same edge as Brown and touched the ball 42 times – but ran on just three occasions.
It was clear that his remit was to shift the ball along the line to Brown, who was maintained a creative force despite playing further out.
Speaking to media before the Eels’ clash with the North Queensland Cowboys in Darwin, Brown revealed that it was in Parramatta’s tactical setup for him to get the ball more than the average centre.
“Brad has a plan,” he said. “Hopefully I’m not here too long but if I need to be then whatever happens happens. I’m enjoying it. It was good to get a win last week.
“He’s made it very obvious that he wants me in the game and looking for scoots rather than just holding the centre – it’ll get quite boring out there.
“Me and Jakey have a little combo going on and hopefully we can make it work again this week.”
The stats bear this out. Brown enjoyed 23 touches last week in his first run in the centres, which – with the caveat of a small sample size – would place him top of the NRL for regular centres, above Dane Gagai and Valentine Holmes.
In his short first grade career, Jake Arthur has split duties between halfback and five eighth, and plays in the 7 jumper in NSW Cup.
The three runs that Arthur managed, in turn, would put him bottom for five eighths in runs per game but equal to the likes of teammate Mitchell Moses and Adam Reynolds for halfbacks – and in front of Shaun Johnson, Chad Townsend and Kyle Flanagan.
With Parramatta employing a split playmaker system that generally sees Mitchell Moses operate on the right, it is possible to use Arthur almost like a second halfback on the left, feeding the footy to Brown.
Brown is an exceptional runner with a devastating step and the ability to get the best out of strike players around him on the edge: indeed, his edge forward Shaun Lane scored one and laid on one last Sunday.
For Brad Arthur, the plan does make a bit of sense, even if he accepts that it does weaken a potential strength in having Brown on the ball more frequently
“He has to play centres this week and do what’s best for the team,” said the coach. “I’ve said all week that Dylan’s best position is at 6, but at the moment, he understands that he just has to do his job.
“A lot of players in our team will do different roles throughout the season based on injuries and availability, so we just have to get on with it.”
Replies
How old is this ?!!!!
Im assuming 1st week of May- so 10 weeks ish. But it does show there thinking and the unconventional way they intend on using JA moving forward.
So the last stupid attempt that everyone loathed 🤔
I guess BA still thinks its worth pushing, if we get a backs injury. Perhaps this isint the way he intends using him this week, I dont know, but its the only conclusion I could find, that explains it, in any shape or form, other then he only plays JA if Dylan and or Mitch Moses go down, which history says based on BA's normal bench rotation is on the cards as well.
Mate... appreciate the effort you have put into this however one crucial facet is being missed here.
JA is NOT ready for first grade nor is he capabale of playing the role (which i like in theory) you have outlined. I dont want to bash JA here there is no point, its his father whom has put him in this predicament.
Nah I didnt put this up as a bashing or a protect JA thing. I just thought how they intend on using JA was unique and straight from the horses mouth so to speak.
Granted its unconventional, and perhaps JA cant play that role if we get a backs injury during the game. But its BAs call to live with or die with and the idea of getting the ball to Dylan quickly and in quantity a bit wider then normal on the left is tactically sound.
Right call - wrong call we are going to find out I suspect.
It was dumb then. It's dumb now. You don't weaken your most important position ( the halves) for a bog average player.
god I thought we past this maddness.
is ba trying to get sacked?
Definitely looks like it
Bluey,
Good on you for posting, but if anything, this damages those defending this move. This story is off the back of our injuries in the outside backs.
Opening line - 'It’s been a case of ‘make do and mend’ for Parramatta of late as their outside back injury nightmare continues.'
The injury crisis is over.
Brad Arthur - “He has to play centres this week and do what’s best for the team,” said the coach. “I’ve said all week that Dylan’s best position is at 6, but at the moment, he understands that he just has to do his job.
Again, there are no injuries, Dylans best position is 6, there is no logical justification anyone on earth can make that moving Dylan out of 6 and into centre if an injury strikes, is the best tactic for the team. Its absurd.
What club would move Jarome Luai, or Cody Walker, or Kieran Foran, or Cameron Munster out of 5/8 into centre, to bring on a developing halfback that is nowhere near ready if there is an injury anywhere in the backs?
Jake is not the problem here, he is doing all that is asked of him. This falls on his father & his employer.
Dylan Brown could be anything. He could be the next Munster, he's 22 after all.
We are risking so much for absolutely no gain. We are risking his development too here. We are risking losing him to another club who operates at a level of professionalism we clearly dont understand.
This doesnt even need to go into Jakes Arthurs ability or level, the clear consensus from everyone is the same, there is no place on the bench for him & it makes no sense.
I love his role was to just pass the ball along 🙄🙄🤣🤣🤣🙄🤪🤪
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