Parramatta legend Ray Price is set to join the club's coaching staff.
The man affectionately known as 'Mr Perpetual Motion' has been offered a chance to come aboard to help the Eels, as will former Australian Test coach Chris Anderson. The two-time premiership-winning mentor has agreed to join the club as coaching director on a short-term deal, which could be extended if his appointment helps the club climb up the NRL ladder.
Price will sign up on a consultancy role to help mentor the forwards as the club beefs up its brains trust. It's hoped the changes will provide a boost ahead of tomorrow's home clash with Newcastle.
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Price said he was excited to finally have some input into his beloved Blue and Golds.
It would be good to get them to learn how to win again. And to keep winning, Price said today. I've been trying to be a part of this club, to do things for years. It's always fallen on deaf ears.
I kept persisting at them, I kept pushing and wanting ... and now we're finally going to have a go.
The former club captain insisted besieged coach Kearney is the man to turn around Parramatta's fortunes and wouldn't rule out the prospect of an unlikely finals appearance.
We might struggle to get there, but it won't be through lack of trying, Price said. I can teach them about the culture of the game, things they need to do to make them wiser on the field. I can show them a bit in defence.
The whole game is about believing in yourself. If the Eels are playing really good football, then rugby league is successful.
The Sun-Herald revealed recently that Parramatta powerbrokers had offered Kearney the opportunity to work with Jason Taylor or Graham Lowe, options the Kiwi mentor knocked back. However, there was a need to bolster the coaching staff at the Eels following the departure of assistant Matt Cameron to Penrith and Kearney opted for Anderson.
The pair are close from their time in Melbourne, where they won a premiership 13 years ago. Anderson, a two-time premiership-winning coach, hasn't been involved in the NRL since parting ways with the Roosters midway through the 2007 season. Anderson's latest involvement in the game has been a role alongside Max Krilich at the NSW Origin Legends organisation.
