Eels coach Brad Arthur uses footy’s most dreaded phrase as he tries to convince fans his job is safe despite awful run of form
- Parramatta have lost four of their last five
- Eels currently rank twelfth on the ladder
- There is plenty of speculation about Arthur’s future
Parramatta coach Brad Arthur is confident he has ‘100 per cent’ support from club officials amid declining fortunes, and maintains optimism that youngster Blaize Talagi will remain at the Eels.
It’s an unfortunate choice of words from the 49-year-old, as superstition holds that coaches who are under fire and claim to have “100 percent” support – or are told they have “100 percent support” from the board – are certainly bound to be fired.
With just three wins in their opening eight games, Arthur’s side sit 12th on the NRL ladder ahead of a Friday clash with the high-flying Broncos in Brisbane without captain and fullback Clint Gutherson.
Playmaker Dylan Brown has been named co-captain of the match, with 19-year-old Talagi set to wear the number 1 jersey in a vote of confidence from the coach who called the teenage star the ‘future of the club’. .
Brad Arthur (pictured left at Parramatta training) has used a very unfortunate choice of words to reassure fans he is not on his way out
The 49-year-old (pictured mid-training) has taken the Eels to 12th on the ladder this year, with the club winning just three of their first eight games
Talagi has reportedly failed to activate an option in his contract to stay at Parramatta through 2025 and can field offers from across the league, but Arthur is already planning for him as Gutherson’s potential long-term successor.
“All indications from us are that he is the future of the club,” Arthur said on Thursday.
‘I’ve had a chat with Blaize – he’s just a kid so I try not to have too many of these conversations with him and just keep them football-related – but the only question I’ve asked him is: does he want to join be the club? He told me he does. That’s half the battle.
‘The club has tried to get something in order together with its management. Both parties have worked hard on this.
“He wants to be here, so he’ll be fine.”
The Eels’ ability to lift themselves up the ladder has taken a huge blow with inspirational captain Clint Gutherson (pictured) out after knee surgery
Arthur has called Blaize Talagi (pictured) ‘the future of the club’, but the 19-year-old reportedly wants to test his worth at other teams
The Eels lost four of their last five games last season due to missing finals, putting Arthur’s own long-term future in the spotlight.
But he said the internal support allowed him “not to be afraid”, paving the way for Talagi’s decision and taking the pressure off coaching for his career after 11 seasons in charge.
“(The speculation) doesn’t bother me,” he said.
“I know I have (the Eels’) support and I mean that 100 percent. I’m grateful for it.
“It means I can still coach and not coach in fear and put people like Blaize in the team at full-back this week, knowing that’s what’s best for the club.”
With Mitch Moses given the chance to return from his broken foot for next week’s match against Melbourne in the Magic Round, Arthur said it was a good time to give Brown the opportunity to become captain for everyone at the club.
“When I told (Brown) I was captain, he couldn’t keep the smile off his face,” Arthur said.