Jake Arthur is looking forward to the day he goes up against Brad Arthur in the opposing coaches box, revealing the opportunity to forge his own identity away from his father was too good to pass up.
A day after signing up as Manly’s back-up half, Arthur was named as part of an extended bench for Sunday’s clash against Newcastle. It’s a clean break from the family for the promising playmaker, who recently moved out of the family home.
Arthur been the target of social media attacks from some sections of the Parramatta fan base, claiming nepotism was behind his rise to first grade. Speaking for the first time since switching clubs, the 20-year-old said he had become better at filtering out the hate.
“Early in my career, it affected me a bit,” Arthur said.
“I was reading the comments, reading every message I got. I quickly learnt to stay away from that and just focus on what I can do.
“At the end of the day, if we’re winning games then no one is saying anything … I didn’t even know it was happening, I’ve stayed away from [the online reaction to the switch of clubs].
Manly Sea Eagles recruit Jake Arthur.Credit: Manly Sea Eagles
“I guess that’s just footy, that’s all part of it.”
Arthur, who has made 20 appearances for the Eels, said the move would result in less footy talk with his father.
“He has been making the joke that now I will finally speak to him, because I don’t speak to him at training,” he said.
A young Jake Arthur wore Sea Eagles colours when his father Brad was an assistant coach at the club.
“It will be good that he can be on the outside, he won’t be telling me what to do footy-wise and just be that [father] figure.
“It’s a good opportunity to be uncomfortable. Whenever you’re uncomfortable, it’s a good opportunity to grow and get better.”
Arthur grew up as an Eels fan, but cheered for Manly when his father was an assistant coach in 2013. Aged just 11 at the time, he was a regular at training, where he would kick balls back to Daly Cherry-Evans, the man he has come to either play alongside or replace while the Maroons skipper is on interstate duty.
“Me and my brother always loved footy, so we would come to the captain’s run sessions here when we didn’t have school,” he said.
“He was always good to us, he was always kicking footies to us. He’s always been good.”
Arthur wore a Manly jersey to the team’s semi-final in 2014, but said it felt surreal wearing those colours again after arriving at the club on Monday.
“All I’ve worn is Parramatta for most of my life,” he said. “It was a bit strange putting it on this morning.”
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