Parramatta have ended conjecture over coach Brad Arthur’s future, backing him to continue their NRL premiership quest by extending his contract by two years until the end of 2024.
Arthur will overtake Brian Smith as the longest serving coach in Parramatta history if he sees out the deal.
Arthur’s position would have been a key talking point of the NRL off-season and into 2022, with the Eels coach due off-contract at the end of next year.
Pressure mounted on Arthur during the Eels’ poor run of form leading up to this year’s finals, as they crashed out of the top four.
“I’ve never been backwards in coming forwards about my feelings towards the club,” Arthur told the Sydney Morning Herald.
“I played there as a junior. I would have loved to have played NRL for the club, but this is the next best thing – coaching at this club. It’s a big part of my family.
“Blue and gold has been in my bloodline for a long, long time. I’m just so grateful the club has put the trust in me to move forward with this squad.”
Parramatta also bowed out of the finals in the second week for the fourth time in five years as fans continue to wait for a first premiership since 1986.
However the manner in which they surged late by ending Melbourne’s winning streak and only bowed out in a fighting 8-6 semi-final loss to eventual premiers Penrith suggested Arthurs’ side is close to the mark.
Arthur’s new deal will take his tenure at Parramatta into an 11th season, making it the longest stint for a coach at the club.
“We have come a long way as a club both on and off the field in recent years and Brad has played a major part in that,” Eels CEO Jim Sarantinos said.
“We have assembled a strong roster, developed a number of players to representative quality, and brought a series of Parramatta juniors through to NRL level during that time.
“We have consistently played finals football over the last few years and we have a strongly connected group of players who will continue to grow and develop together over the coming seasons.
“We believe that Brad is the best person to lead our club towards challenging for a premiership.”
Arthur’s signature should also go a long way to helping sort Parramatta’s roster issues.
The Eels have 13 players off contract at the end of next year, headlined by the likes of Clint Gutherson, Reed Mahoney, Junior Paulo, Ryan Matterson and Isaiah Papali’i.
Five-eighth Dylan Brown, winger Maika Sivo and prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard also have options in their favour.
“I love being at this club and I think we are creating a great environment to be a part of,” Arthur said.
“I value the relationship I have with our staff and our playing group, they challenge me every day and it’s been exciting to see the positive impact that our younger players have had on our squad.
“The best is yet to come from this team, so I’m excited to confirm my future at the club.”
© AAP
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
Gold Coast don’t get credit for doing too many things right but when it comes to sacking a coach mid-season they are the gold…
1. Tigers earning their stripes The Tigers played Souths last year when the Bunnies were at their very highest point. Tim Sheens coached them…
The St George Illawarra revival is now prompting a question that was on nobody’s radar heading into the 2024 season - can the Dragons…
Who is this team and what have they done with the Dolphins? With Wayne Bennett consigned to his sick bed back in Redcliffe, the…
Benji Marshall is unfazed that Penrith are eyeing Wests Tigers gun Stefano Utoikamanu as a possible replacement for the outgoing James Fisher-Harris. Ahead of…
Friday night’s clash between Parramatta and the Dolphins is likely to be a hot one – and not just because the game is being…
