Where to now for Brad Arthur and the Parramatta Eels?

At the end of last season, after again bowing out of the finals in straight sets, Parramatta coach Bra Arthur found himself at a crossroad.

After some robust conversations with Parramatta hierarchy in the off-season, Arthur went into this year under no illusion as to the expectations from within the club. It was a grand final – at the very least one hell of a crack at it – or bust.

Judging by the performances over the past few weeks, which have been compounded by a season-ending injury to hooker Reed Mahoney, the Eels now find themselves in freefall. Again.

So where to now for Parramatta and Brad Arthur?

The criticism of the coach from within the club last year was a perceived reluctance to diversify his coaching and adopt new-age methodologies. In other words, focus on ‘mindfulness’.

Arthur has adopted all that has been asked of him by the club and general manager Mark O’Neill this year, yet the same question marks over the team’s mental fortitude remain.

Parramatta coach Brad Arthur has a big job on his hands turning around the fortune of the Eels.Credit:NRL Photos

Given the difficulty of their draw over the next month (Sea Eagles, Cowboys, Storm and Panthers) they are expected to drop as low as sixth by the time the regular season comes to an end.

What happens between now and then, though, is irrelevant. Season 2021 and the fate of the coach was always going to be judged on the events that unfolded in the finals series.

But it’s not just the coach who will come under the microscope if things continue on their current trajectory. If an argument can be made that the coach has reached a ceiling, there’s a feeling within the club that the same argument could be made for some of its players.

Clint Gutherson's manager has openly told people within the game that the Eels will have to find close to seven figures to extend his services beyond 2022 because he took unders in his last contract.

While Gutherson wears his heart on his sleeve, neither he nor halfback Mitchell Moses are considered among the superstar echelon of players. Moses has incentive-based bonuses in his new contract if the Eels achieve something special, but they are still the only team in the top six without a million-dollar player.

The Roosters have James Tedesco, South Sydney have Latrell Mitchell, Penrith have Nathan Cleary, Manly have Tom Trbojevic and Melbourne have more superstars than they know what to do with. The Eels don't have one.

That’s not a blight on the Parramatta duo, nor a suggestion they are the problem. It is instead part of the increasingly obvious reality to those within the organisation: the roster may not be good enough to achieve what it wants.

The critics say there is much to like about the Eels from 1-17, but when the game is on the line against quality opposition, the difference between good and great is highlighted.

Brad Arthur chats to Mitchell Moses and Clint Gutherson at training.Credit:NRL Photos

Dropping out of the top four may prove a blessing in disguise, perhaps. In doing so, the Eels avoid Melbourne in week one of the play-offs – a team they’ve lost to in the finals each time they’ve finished in the top eight under Arthur’s watch.

They will lose their shot at a second chance, but would a victory in a sudden death match against seventh or eighth, as opposed to a likely shellacking at the hands of Melbourne for finishing fourth, provide a greater platform for the club to venture past week two of the finals for the first time since 2009? Is that even enough?

After 10 rounds the Eels sat in second position with nine wins and one loss to open the year. During that period, they played two of the top five teams and won both of those games (Storm and Roosters).

Since then the Eels have won four of their next 10 games, dropping to fourth. In those games they played a top five side on five occasions. They lost them all in an aggregate deficit of 147-50.

The Eels have hit a form slump just before the finals.Credit:Getty

Arthur has done a phenomenal job turning a perennial basket-case into a premiership contender. The boxes he has ticked along the way would have once been worthy of a lifetime deal, such was the nature of the job he inherited and the thirst for even the slightest glimmer of hope.

Now that Arthur has helped open a premiership window, the club wants to make sure it doesn’t shut before the drought is broken. It’s hard to begrudge them that.

The success, or potential lack thereof, of the team during the finals may provide the club an answer about the coach. Yet the more important question may not be about Arthur, rather who is the alternative that would boost their chances of achieving more next year?

After rumours abounded last week linking Wayne Bennett to the Parramatta job in 2022, the veteran coach was adamant when he told the Herald that he was returning to live in Brisbane after his post with South Sydney expired at season’s end.

Craig Bellamy just signed a new deal to remain with the Storm in some capacity until 2026. And those close to Trent Robinson laughed at the suggestion he would even contemplate leaving Nick Politis and the Sydney Roosters. So if not Arthur, which is something some Eels fans may want to see, then who?

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