NRL 2022 coach’s clipboard with Parramatta Eels mentor Brad Arthur

Eels coach Brad Arthur opens up on why his side can improve in 2022, which player is under pressure and the new recruit who impressed him most.

MACKAY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 18: Coach Brad Arthur of the Eels looks on prior to the NRL semi-final match between Penrith Panthers and Parramatta Eels at BB Print Stadium on September 18, 2021 in Mackay, Australia. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)

Parramatta Eels coach Brad Arthur reveals where he thinks his side can improve in season 2022 and which key player is primed to take the next step on the field.

FK: The Omicron surge has been very disruptive to a lot of NRL clubs. How have the Eels fared coming from the Christmas break?

BA: The first couple of weeks back in January we did have a few disruptions to the group around Covid. But the last couple of weeks we’ve been lucky enough to have the full complement back and do a lot of our opposed sessions that you want to be doing at this point. But we did have to introduce some individual coaching and had to adapt. We know we have to adapt on the run this year and all the boys were very good around it. The main priority for us was that no one got too sick which was good.

There have been anecdotal reports of some players struggling to get back to full health. Have you experienced any of that at the Eels?

I can’t say we have. Our performance department has handled the return to training really well. There’s been a staged return to training. No one was thrown straight back into the first session. We had a few rehab runs and plenty of testing to see where each player was at in their recovery.

Brad Arthur wants his side to own ‘big moments’. NRL Imagery

The Eels fell agonisingly short of a preliminary final against Penrith. After the game you spoke of the devastation of the players. Have you harnessed that feeling in the pre-season?

To be honest, we haven’t talked about that, it’s a fresh start for us. But I can definitely see that there is that extra bit of hunger, that extra bit of, not so much belief, but just knowing that they were very close but that they want even more. There’s a real difference in levels of hunger from that game. We’ve taken plenty of positives from it. That’s what we take out of it, not focus on what could have been.

When you look back at 2021, where do you need to make improvements? What has been in the focus over the summer?

We have but I don’t want to give too much away at the moment. Look, obviously there are some real big moments in the games that are very important. We have to make sure we are owning them. There’s been a focus on starting well. Teams have to start well and give themselves a good chance of winning. When we do start well, our probability of winning is higher. But I would say that’s what most teams would focus on.

Do you know what you round one team is going to look like or are there still spots up for grabs?

I think one to 13 pretty much picks itself and then, the bench, there may be some spots up for grabs. It’s a bit tougher with what we do there. Obviously with Marata Niukore missing round 1 with suspension. We’ve got Maika [Sivo] injured. Outside of that, at this point we are fit and healthy. There a lot of competition for spots. There’s probably 10 blokes who think they are a chance at a bench spot.

Maika Sivo suffered an ACL injury late last year. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty

How is Sivo’s recovery from the ACL injury tracking?

He’s back on the field doing a bit of running but he won’t join the main team for a while. But he’s on track and ticking all the boxes he should be. At this stage, there is no reason why he won’t return when he is scheduled to in the middle of the year.

What have you made of Bailey Simonsson?

He’s actually very athletic. He’s a good mover of the ball, he’s fast and he’s got good feet. He’s going to bring some needed pace to our team.

We witnessed the rise of some young backs like Will Penisini and Haze Dunster. We got a glimpse of Sean Russell too. How does Russell fit into the equation?

Sean’s just got to do his job at Cup level and make sure he and the young guys are doing their job every week there and there will be some opportunities at some stage for the young blokes like him. He’s got to be ready to take it.

Bailey Simonsson has impressed Arthur during the pre-season. Picture: Louis Bockos

Five-eighth Dylan Brown is going into his fourth season of NRL. What have you made of his development so far and what are you looking for from him in 2022?

Dyl is a very good trainer. He’s actually really athletic and a good mover of the ball so I want to see him back himself more. Run the footy. I want to see him do what he is good at. He’s one of the best defending halves in the competition but we’d him to back himself more with the ball.

Brad Arthur wants Dylan Brown to run the footy in 2022.

Oregon Kaufusi has come through your system but is headed to the Sharks. What do you need from him in his final year at the club?

He needs to take his game to the next level. He really needs to lock down an important role on the bench and put himself in the position where when Reg [Campbell-Gillard] or Junior [Paulo] aren’t in the team, he needs to be that next person to call on to be the staring front rower.

Hooker Reed Mahoney had a breakout season in 2021 and upped his involvement in attack. Will it be more of the same?

We just want him to do his job and be effective. He’s got great service off the ground. That gives him the confidence to back himself more with his pass selection. He’s starting to become creative down the short side, he’s got a good kicking game. He’s returning from the shoulder injury but on track to play in the trials.

Mahoney is moving to the Bulldogs in 2023, you get Josh Hodgson but are they any youngsters coming through you are excited about?

Well we’ve still got Mitch Rein, he’s joined our club and has played 200 first-grade games so he’s doing a good job. We have plenty of depth there.

You’ve lost a number of players for 2023 like Mahoney, Niukore and Isaah Papali’i. Are you happy with how the cub’s recruitment strategy is working?

All I am focused on right now in 2022. When we get to 2023 we’ll worry about it then.

Brad Arthur was tight lipped about the club’s recruitment strategy. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Penalties will be awarded instead of set restarts for ruck or 10m infringements inside the 40m zone of the team in possession. What’s you take on the new rule?

I like it. I think it rewards teams for good discipline and punish those for poor … if you get a penalty in the red zone I would much rather take that easy 20 or 30 cheap metres than having your set disjointed, you might only get an extra tackle if they are giving away six-agains on tackle one where you don’t get any benefit. At least when you kick out of touch, you’re making easy metres and have good ball straight away.

Some coaches are calling for the NRL to allow them to select lower grade players signed to their club to help manage rosters through Covid. What’s your take on it?

I think you’re going to need to call on everyone. If you’ve got blokes training, whether they are train-and-triallists, I’d like the opportunity for all of them to get picked. If they are the best person for the job, why would we not want to develop them and pick them?

Originally published as NRL 2022 coach’s clipboard with Parramatta Eels mentor Brad Arthur