‘Massive news’: Gus loves Parramatta’s shock Grand Final selection gamble

Rugby league guru Phil Gould has voiced his support for one of the biggest grand final gambles in recent memory.

Gus. Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images.

Parramatta’s shock gamble to re-call exiled star Nathan Brown has won widespread approval across the NRL.

It was reported on Fox League’s NRL 360 on Monday night Eels coach Brad Arthur is making one of the biggest gambles of his career by recalling Brown after 12 weeks playing in reserve grade.

Brown has endured a stunning fall from grace after being selected to play for NSW during the 2020 State of Origin series before being dropped by the Eels this year and being given permission to look for a new club.

Now, he will reportedly be selected when Arthur announces his team on Tuesday afternoon as a potential Cinderella story.

Rugby league guru Phil Gould on Monday said he sees Arthur’s move as a clever, “aggressive” gamble.

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Brown has not played at NRL level since July 9. His inclusion is expected to come at the cost of utility Bryce Cartwright.

When responding to Gould on Channel 9’s 100% Footy on Monday night, reporter Michael Chammas said it was “massive news”.

Phil Gould looks on. Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images.

Gould said: “I think it’s a gut-feel thing from the coach.

“If you put Bryce Cartwright on the bench, what circumstances in the game do you want him to get into the action and can he cover all the scenarios that happen out there?

“Whereas Nathan Brown is a very different sort of player and a lot easier to get into the game and he has a lot of experience.”

He said selecting Cartwright would be a sign the Eels would be chasing the scoreboard and be desperate for points, suggesting Brown’s selection would have them ahead in the game.

“If you’re planning your bench because you’re behind on the scoreboard, you’re already beaten,” he said.

“I think this is an aggressive mood by Brad Arthur. I think Nathan Brown would be perfectly suited to that environment. I can’t knock that decision even though he hasn’t played for a while.”

Nathan Brown of the Eels. Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images.

Former NSW State of Origin captain Paul Gallen also said he supports the decision.

“It’s fighting fire with fire,” he said,

“Penrith are relentless, they play for 80 minutes they are constantly coming at you. And I think Nathan Brown has than energy, so I actually like that. I think it’s a very good move.”

Parramatta’s other selection gamble surrounds Tom Opacic’s hopes of playing in the NRL grand final.

The reliable left centre was a late scratching from Parramatta’s preliminary final win over the Cowboys, with Bailey Simonsson filling in for what was his first NRL start in that position.

Opacic hurt his left hamstring in the semi-final win over Canberra two weeks ago and is desperate to play one more game before he heads over to the English Super League in 2023.

His fate will be decided at Wednesday’s main training session where he will have to prove his fitness.