Parramatta Eels coach Brad Arthur out to win a premiership with Rouse Hill Rhinos

While coach Brad Arthur’s Eels will be playing for pride against archrivals the Sea Eagles this weekend after losing their chance for a finals berth, elsewhere his season is looking brighter.

While coach Brad Arthur’s Eels will be playing for pride against archrivals the Sea Eagles this weekend after losing their chance for a finals berth, elsewhere his season is looking brighter.

Arthur’s son Jake’s under-13 Rouse Hill Rhinos team won their first semi-final at the weekend under the watchful eye of the proud dad and NRL coach.

Playing halfback for the side, Jake was a playmaker in the Rhino’s 26-20 win over the Parramatta Titans.

“I don’t look at him as my son when he’s on the field, he’s just another young footballer in the team,” a pragmatic Arthur ­explained.

“They played well and we’ve kept the finals hopes alive.

“I’m just another dad to them, one who gets a bit cranky with them from time to time.”

Brad Arthur coaches son Jake’s team, the under-13 Rouse Hill Rhinos. Picture: Phillip Rogers

Arthur said he would continue to coach the team while juggling his Eels commitments because “it keeps me grounded and reminds me why I coach at the NRL level – because of my love of the game”.

“I’ve got some good dads in the team who can step in and help out. We’ve got another two games before we make it to the grand final.

“This is the first year we’ve had a full team on the field.”

Arthur has another son, Matthew, 10, and both boys are passionate about rugby league and are showing signs of talent on the field, playing at a representative level in their respective age groups.

The Rouse Hill Rhinos defeated Parramatta City Titans 26-20 on Saturday.

“They have come to training with me since they were little when I was at Melbourne and then at Manly and now with Parramatta and they watch every game on the TV so they probably want to be NRL footballers.”

The Eels will be hoping to turn things around against Manly on Sunday after losing to the Roosters last weekend and dashing their finals chances.

“The boys will be out to play with effort. Their effort was outstanding against the Roosters but we’ve got to learn how to turn those close games into wins.

“We’ve got to front up for the next three games and we have a lot of work to do in the pre-season to turn it around next year.”