NRL 2024: Parramatta Eels stars Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Clint Gutherson defend under pressure coach Brad Arthur

Parramatta Eels star Reagan Campbell-Gillard has declared his unwavering support for coach Brad Arthur, as skipper Clint Gutherson concedes his future is in the players’ hands.

Parramatta Eels star Reagan Campbell-Gillard says Brad Arthur is being ‘fed to the wolves’, as pressure builds on the coach. Picture: Getty Images

Parramatta forward Reagan Campbell-Gillard says Brad Arthur is being ‘fed to the wolves’, as skipper Clint Gutherson conceded the coach’s future is in the hands of players.

The club’s leadership group fronted the media on Tuesday after the side’s second half capitulation in Darwin, where the Dolphins piled on eight tries in 25 minutes.

A scathing Arthur slammed the side as a ‘part-time footy team’ in the wake of the demoralising loss that has now put the coach’s job under the spotlight once again.

The loss will also only breathe new life into the speculation linking mastercoach Wayne Bennett, who is without a job in 2025, to the western Sydney powerhouse.

Parramatta Eels star Reagan Campbell-Gillard says Brad Arthur is being ‘fed to the wolves’, as pressure builds on the coach. Picture: Getty Images

Gutherson said it was now onto the playing to save Arthur’s job.

“100 per cent. It doesn’t matter what team you are in, you have to play for your coach,” Gutherson said.

“We are not delivering on our end at the moment to make sure he is safe, and happy here. “He’s done it (before), where we have been in holes and he has gotten us out of it. He’s got the full support of the players. We are letting him, and the staff, down at the moment.”

Campbell-Gillard threw his full support behind the under pressure coach and believes the players should bear the brunt of the Dolphins’ loss.

“I’d die for Brad. It’s not nice seeing him get fed to the wolves,” Campbell-Gillard said.

“I’m more than happy for the media to come at us players instead of Brad.

“I understand he’s the head of this club and he will always put himself out there before the players. The onus is on us as players.”

Arthur has put his players on notice after an embarrassing loss to the Dolphins, but was reluctant to declare wholesale team changes were on the way. Picture: Getty Images

Arthur was reluctant to declare wholesale changes to the line-up in the immediate aftermath of the embarrassing loss, but Campbell-Gillard revealed the players have been put on notice ahead of Friday’s clash against Manly.

“(The game) was tough to watch back. It makes you sick because you know you can produce,” Campbell-Gillard said.

“We’re all full timers but our football is not showing it.

“It’s the line in the sand and hopefully it’s something we never talk about again.

“Everyone understands where they stand and the standards they have to hit. If they are not hit, they won’t play.”

The playing group had a meeting to review the Dolphins clash on Monday, where it’s understood most of the talking and ‘tough conversations’ were left up to the senior players.

Worryingly for the Eels, the Dolphins loss came two weeks after the side also conceded 41 points against the Canberra Raiders.

Parramatta players held a meeting on Monday, where senior players had some ‘tough conversations. Picture: Getty Images

Veteran prop Junior Paulo was reluctant to reveal the exact nature of the meeting but said players ‘put their hand up’ to admit their role in the disappointing performance.

“We had a review, some honest conversations. Whatever was said in those four walls will stay there,” Paulo said.

“That’s what makes good teams, you have to be able to hold everyone accountable. We weren’t just going to brush over it. We needed to have a long hard look at ourselves.

“You can’t shy away from it, you have to cop it on the chin.

Arthur has been under fire since the side missed the finals series last year after making a grand final appearance in 2022.

Gutherson is confident the club is not heading for another on-field demise despite the disappointing start to the season.

“At the moment the players are not delivering on what they signed up for,” Gutherson said. We are letting him down, and the whole club. It’s three and four at the moment, it’s not the end of the world but we need to be consistent. We are not being the team we know we can be and that’s the frustrating bit.”