Read suggesting BA will be extended:
www.theaustralian.com.au
“Parramatta wanted to wait until after the finals to make a call on coach
Brad Arthur’s future. The Eels wanted to see improvement and evidence that the squad was still responding to his coaching.
They wanted a reason to offer Arthur an extension beyond his existing contract, which expires at the end of next season. Parramatta may have fallen short against Penrith, but Arthur walked away with his reputation enhanced and an extension in his future.
The expectation is that Eels officials will look to get a deal done with Arthur sooner rather than later as they back their coach to take the next step in coming years.
Arthur’s future has been a burning topic of debate for much of the year given the Eels had fallen short on a number of occasions on his watch.
They fell short again against the Panthers, but the nature of the loss suggested the players are still buying what Arthur is selling. They had several calls go against them against Penrith and had hooker
Reed Mahoney been fit to play, there is every chance Parramatta would have won anyway.
As it was, the side showed enough to suggest Parramatta has the right man in charge. Arthur is about to enter his ninth year at the helm and he will now be offered the chance to coach the side into a 10th season.
The Eels hinted at their satisfaction with Arthur in a letter to members from chair
Sean McElduff and chief executive
Jim Sarantinos this week that reviewed the season.
“There is a strong sense of pride in our team given the way they responded to a period of adversity in the latter part of the season, and the brave performance against Penrith in week two of the finals,” they wrote.
“While we fell short of our goal this season, the club has qualified for the finals in three successive years which is an achievement worth recognising.
“Our players and staff demonstrated a commitment to each other and the blue and gold jersey and a level of connection as a group that has us all looking forward with optimism to 2022.”
The Eels are unlikely to tinker with their squad much next season but there is room to make some changes the year after given the number of players who are off contract at the end of 2022.
Parramatta has resumed negotiations with some of those players and chances are it will lock them away in coming weeks as well as its looks to secure their futures before November 1, when other clubs and potentially an expansion side can start picking them off.
Mahoney is among the priorities given expansion looms on the horizon and the Dolphins — the team expected to win the bidding process — are keen to sign as many Queenslanders as possible.
Mahoney also hails from the Sunshine Coast, one of the areas that the Dolphins plan to use as a feeder for their NRL side. The Dolphins’ first priority will be one of Queensland’s guns — Cameron Munster, Kalyn Ponga or Harry Grant.
If they land Munster or Ponga, don’t be surprised if Mahoney is next cab off the rank. The Eels are aware and ready to put up a fight as they look to get an extension done before November 1.”
