NRL 2022: Junior Paulo named co-captain at the Parramatta Eels
Some of his teammates may have decided to leave at the end of 2022, but new Eels co-captain says his decision to re-sign until 2026 was based on achieving his premiership dream.
This will get the veins of Eels fans pumping.
Fresh being named co-captain and inking the longest contract of any player or coach at the club, Junior Paulo has revealed that at no point was he going to leave Parramatta, the place he calls “home”.
Speaking with the same authoritative, no-nonsense and confronting style of which he plays the game, the NSW State of Origin prop told of his pride in being named co-captain of the Eels in 2022, while explaining the premiership lure that swayed him to sign-on until the end of 2026.
“I’m always going to be passionate about where I call home and that’s Parramatta for me,’’ Paulo said. “The dream is to relive the glory days of Parramatta.
“And, for me, there’d be nothing better than bringing back a premiership.
“There’s always going to be that talk about how Parramatta haven’t won a premiership since the ’80’s. I want to be a part of that while I’m still here and that’s part of the reason why I chose to stay.
“That’s how much I love the club, but not only that, being able to play under Brad (Arthur), I felt like he’s brought the best out of myself.
“And that happens with building chemistry within the team.
“We’ve fallen short the last couple of years, but the back-end of last year was a real learning curve on knowing what it takes to be contenders and how to be a real competition-shaker.
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“It was always going to be a decision based around my (three) kids and my partner and where we were going to be most happy away from footy.
“I’m a big believer in being happy off the field. Having the family support we have I don’t think I could move away from Sydney again.
“I played all my footy as a junior at Parramatta. I started off at Cabramatta.
“Not once did I ever picture myself being a captain. I’ve had my share of learning curves, but that’s helped me grow as a person to where I am today.’’
Arthur confirmed Paulo’s co-captaincy alongside Gutherson wasn’t used as a lure for the tearaway forward to re-sign. But rather, the decision was based on driving the standards of the Eels into the future.
“He’s got the backing of everyone to do this,’’ Arthur said of Paulo’s elevation into the leadership role.
“Gutho was thrown into the role at a young age (23) and has matured immensely as a leader and this is about now up-skilling Junior. He’s got the leadership qualities and now we really want to encourage him to bring them out.’’
As a front-rower, Paulo, 28, will join the likes of Tim Mannah and Nathan Cayless as Parramatta captain’s who have led from the middle of the field.
Paulo’s rise to the co-captaincy is a success story for the Eels, having developed his game as a local junior with the Cabramatta Two Blues.
“Over the past couple of years, I think I’ve been building towards being a real leader within the squad and I’m not alone in that,’’ Paulo said.
“I feel like I’m at that point in my career where I’m at that age that you really need to step-up and be consistent with that role.’’
Arthur said Gutherson would also thrive with the support of Paulo.
“I’ve known Junior for more than 10 years and he understands our standards and work-ethic we desire at the club,’’ Arthur said. “This is a role that he is ready for and he will only help ‘Gutho” (Gutherson) drive the rest of the group.
“Gutho’ was all for Junior joining him as co-captain when we first discussed it late last year.
“I really think Junior will thrive with the extra responsibility and accountability because he’s at that stage of his career where so many of our boys look up to him and when he talks, the players listen.’’
The representative forward has played 122-games for the Eels and recently extended his future with the club until the end of 2026.
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