Monday Buzz: Brad Arthur’s horror finals record under scrutiny but criticism unfair
The blowtorch is about to be turned yet again on Parramatta Eels coach Brad Arthur and his shocking record in finals footy, writes PHIL ROTHFIELD.
NRL
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The blowtorch is about to be turned on Parramatta coach Brad Arthur yet again.
Friday night’s loss to the Panthers was his seventh defeat from nine finals games.
Arthur is contracted for another two years but his critics have predictably resurfaced following the second-half fadeout against the minor premiers.
Under Arthur’s watch, the Eels have never made it past week two of the finals.
It will become a huge issue if they lose to Canberra next weekend and bounce out in straight sets for another year.
“The old story (his finals record) pops up every year,” says Eels CEO Jim Sarantinos.
“Brad wants to go further and we all want to go further. That’s obvious.
“Penrith at home was always going to be tough but making the top four gives us another opportunity. We’ve got to take advantage of that.”
Most clubs would love to have a coach who has produced results as consistently as Arthur since he started at Parramatta in 2014.
He’s had sustained success – five finals series appearances in six years – that other clubs like the Wests Tigers, Knights, Titans, Dragons, Warriors and Bulldogs would kill for.
Yet only a grand final victory will silence his knockers. The Eels haven’t won a comp since 1986.
The pressure and impatience of fans builds every single year.
The burden on NRL coaches these days is astronomical.
You can understand why Trent Barrett, Nathan Brown and Michael Maguire were sacked this year at clubs that were hopelessly under-performing in a business where winning is everything.
But the criticism around Arthur is unfair.
Five finals campaigns – albeit unsuccessful ones – in six years should be enough to earn some job security.
The Eels matched Penrith on Friday night for 60 minutes but they fell away from the moment chief playmaker Mitchell Moses left the field in a daze after performing a tackle on Billy Kikau that went horribly wrong.
You can’t say it cost Parramatta the game but it sure didn’t help them.
Arthur still has a 2-1 win record this year against the premiership’s odd-on favourites.
Penrith won the game because Nathan Cleary produced the most magnificent finals performance behind a dominating forward pack.
No side and no coach could have contained him in that mood.
Still this Raiders match next weekend is a monster game for the Parramatta coach.
It’s a must win game, not just for Parramatta’s premiership hopes, but to silence the coach’s growing army of knockers.
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