Parramatta legends divided on how the Eels should handle the Semi Radradra situation

NOBODY knows if star winger Semi Radradra will come back to Parramatta. But if he does, what should the Eels do?

PARRAMATTA greats are divided on whether Semi Radradra should be dumped to reserve grade if he delays his return from Fiji any longer.

Radradra was originally expected back in the country on Sunday, with club officials and his own manager not entirely convinced he will fly back on Tuesday.

The Daily Telegraph learned Radradra was now preparing to delay his return until as late as Friday, giving him just 24 hours to prepare for the Eels’ must-win game against Cronulla.

Former premiership-winning Parramatta captain Ray Price said the Eels could not afford to dump Radradra with their season on the line.

The Eels are expected to be stripped 12 competition points later this week because of the club’s salary cap breaches.

Radradra has been in Fiji visiting family.

But another premiership pin-up, Brett Kenny, called on Parramatta to take a tough stand if Radradra remained AWOL and did not report for training on Wednesday.

The Semi soap opera has become extra embarrassing because of the lack of communication between Radradra’s manager and the club.

“Make him play for Wenty,’’ Kenny told The Daily Telegraph, in reference to the Eels’ reserve grade club.

“If there is a perfectly good reason and honest reason as to why he isn’t back yet, and the club knows, that’s OK.

“But if they don’t know where he is and why he isn’t back, and they haven’t heard from him, that’s not good enough.

“You have to show some discipline here.

“If Semi is gone, nobody knows where he is, then he finally turns up without letting anyone know where he’s been, you can’t play him. If you do, it sets a bad example for the younger players.

“If you do the wrong thing by the club and your teammates, you have to pay the penalty.’’

It would be a huge call by coach Brad Arthur to leave Radradra out of the side to play the Sharks on Saturday night.

Should Radradra return any later than Tuesday, he could be fined by the Eels.

Radradra is one of the club’s best attacking weapons, but will also need to be at his defensive on Saturday night best to stop the Sharks’ Valentine Holmes, who is expected to overcome a hamstring injury and play.

Parramatta's Semi Radradra in action on the field. Picture: Gregg Porteous

Price said the club had already shed too many good players, including hooker Nathan Peats because of the salary cap rorts, and could not afford to lose another player like Radradra.

The Eels need to win eight of their remaining 10 games to be any hope of a September berth.

“I’d be very surprised if Brad Arthur dropped him,’’ Price said.

“I believe he’ll be back, and he’ll be back because of his mates.

“Semi has got to think about not just himself but his teammates, because that’s who he would be letting down. And the fans.

“I believe Parramatta can make it, even if they take 12 points away, I still believe in the players.’’