Eels coach Brad Arthur’s pride as son Jake takes the field

Parramatta’s first hit-out for 2021 — tonight’s trial against the Dragons — will be extra special for Eels coach Brad Arthur.

Jake Arthur will run out for the Eels in a trial match against the Dragons. Picture: Toby Zerna

It is the moment just about every parent dreams of — all those years when they take their kids to weekend junior rugby league games all over Australia.

And come Thursday night at the famous old footy ground at Kogarah, there will be no prouder man watching Parramatta take on St George Illawarra than the father of the teenage boy who will be wearing the No 7 jumper once made famous by the great Peter Sterling.

In a match that will kick off the Eels’ 2021 season, Jake Arthur will be one of nine Parramatta players still eligible for either SG Ball or Jersey Flegg who will be playing in the game.

Understandably, Arthur was extremely reluctant to put any focus on his own son ahead of any of the other young players getting their shot.

“I am proud of all of them,” Arthur said.

“I just want them to go and be themselves.

“I want them to go and have fun.”

Jake Arthur will run out for the Eels in a trial match against the Dragons. Picture: Toby Zerna. Picture Gregg Porteous/NRL Photos

Arthur conceded the fact so many youngsters were getting a game made this trial all the more exciting.

Among the other fresh faces for the Eels are Sean Russell, Will Penicini, Dave Hollis, Josh Tuipulotu, Matt Komolafe, Caleb Tohi, Charbel Tasipale and Solomone Naiduki.

“They have put a new lease of life into us coaches,” Arthur continued.

“They have put a spring in our step, and in the playing group.

“Like I said, we just want them to go out with no judgment and no pressure and just go and play.

“Go and play and have fun.”

This match is mostly limited to players who made 12 or less NRL appearances last season.

Jake’s only previous experience at NRL level was a few minutes towards the backend of a trial against Penrith in Bega last year.

Arthur conceded it did make it extra difficult speaking about his own son given some of the snide remarks Jake has had to contend with over the years.

“He has always had that ‘oh, he is only in it because of his dad’,” Arthur explained.

Jake Arthur starred for Patrician Brothers Blacktown last year. Picture: Toby Zerna

“But he cops it good. He just moves on. It doesn’t worry him.

“And the biggest thing is that he doesn’t just have the respect of me and the coaching staff, he does (have the respect) of the players because of what he has done.

“You know what, I can’t wait to see them. We are so excited.”

Jake was one of the stars for Patrician Brothers Blacktown who won last year’s state schoolboy final.

All pre-season Jake has been pushing regular NRL halves Mitchell Moses and Dylan Brown at training.

And while he still has a way to go before he will be seriously challenging for a regular starting spot, the one thing that fans can be assured of is that Jake earned his place through hard work, and not because of his surname.

“The thing is he has worked just as hard as the rest of them to earn their opportunity,” Arthur continued.

“We are not saying that they are NRL players tomorrow, but it is a good moment for them.

“And all their mums and dads should be proud of them.

“I am no different.”

Injury crisis: Eels throw Lafai a lifeline

Michael Carayannis

Parramatta have handed former St George Illawarra and Canterbury centre Tim Lafai a career lifeline with the 29-year-old to turn out for the injury ravaged Eels on Thursday afternoon.

The Eels have signed Lafai to a part-time NSW Cup contract after the Samoan international was not re-signed by the Bulldogs at the end of last year. He gives the Eels some much-needed cover in the outside backs.

Lafai will be part of an injury hit Eels side who needed dispensation from the NRL in order for the trial to go ahead.

Samoan international Tim Lafai has been given a part-time contract by Parramatta. Picture: Brendan Radke.

The Eels wrote to the NRL asking for permission to feature players who played more than 12 games last year so they can field a side to play the Dragons at Netstrata Jubilee Oval. Under the NRL’s rules, teams can only pick players who played in less than 12 games in next week’s official weekend of trials.

The Eels have been given permission to allow new recruits Keegan Hipgrave (who played 13 games last year) and Isaiah Papalii (15) to feature in their side. Oregon Kaufusi is also expected to line up after playing 13 games for Parramatta last year.

Oregon Kaufusi will play on Thursday despite having played more than 12 NRL games. Picture: Nathan Hopkins/NRL Photos

The Eels have been hit with a host of injuries to their forwards. The most serious is Bryce Cartwright who will miss the start of the season with a broken jaw.

Other players including Ray Stone and Nathaniel Roache have minor complaints that will mean they will miss the match.

Parramatta Eels boss Jim Sarantinos thanked the NRL for their flexibility.

“The club currently has four players who were eligible to play in the trial, but have recently become unavailable which has made selections for the game problematic,” Sarantinos said. “We would like to extend our thanks to the NRL for granting Oregon, Keegan and Isaiah exemptions to play on Thursday,” he said.

Recruited from the Warriors, Isaiah Papalii will play in the trial against the Dragons. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

PARRAMATTA’S TRIAL TEAM

1 Sean Russell

2 Michael Oldfield

3 Will Penisini

4 Tom Opacic

5 Haze Dunster

6 Will Smith

7 Jakob Arthur

8 Dave Hollis

9 Joey Lussick

10 Oregon Kaufusi

11 Keegan Hipgrave

12 Isaiah Papalií

13 Makahesi Makatoa

14 Josh Tuipulotu

15 Matt Komolafe

16 Jordan Rankin

17 Caleb Tohi

18 Charbel Tasipale

19 Solomone Naiduki

20 Toa Mata’afa

21 Eli El Zahkem

NN (no-number) Tim Lafai

NN Charlton Schaafhausen

NN Noel Aukafolau

PARRAMATTA’S CASUALTY CRISIS

IN THE WARD: Blake Ferguson (knee, round 1), Maika Sivo (knee, round 1), Michael Jennings (suspended, indefinite), Marata Niukore (suspended, round two), Bryce Cartwright (broken jaw, round one)

NRL PHYSIO ANALYSIS: The Eels have suffered a setback with confirmation Bryce Cartwright has a broken jaw that is likely to sideline him for between four and six weeks. Cartwright suffered the injury during training. Other than that, Minimal concerns for the Eels, with Sivo and Ferguson having more than enough time to rehab their minor knee injuries from late last season.

Originally published as Eels coach Brad Arthur’s pride as son Jake takes the field