How a visit to the Sydney Swans could turn around Parramatta's season
There are not many people you can turn to for advice on how to turn a 0-6 start to a season into a miracle finals appearance. However, Brad Arthur has found one.
Sin Bin can reveal that Parramatta coach Arthur was spotted picking the brain of Sydney Swans coach John Longmire on Tuesday in an attempt to turn the Eels’ season around. The Swans were in a similar predicament last year, slumping to six straight losses despite being one of the fancies for the title. Like the Eels, they were down on confidence and it appeared their year was over before it even began. Yet, somehow, the Swannies suddenly clicked, winning 14 of their last 16 games to finish the regular season in sixth spot. They then went on to beat Essendon in the first week of the finals before bowing out to Geelong.
The AFL may be the NRL’s greatest competitor but Longmire was only too happy to grant Arthur an audience to share his insights into how the club turned things around. The pair chatted for over an hour on Tuesday afternoon, tossing up ideas and perspectives.
While the details of what was discussed will likely stay between the pair, it is clear that things need to change at Parramatta. The side finished fourth last season, papering over cracks that have emerged at the club. Arthur is the first to admit that he has to take some responsibility for the poor start, but suggestions he has lost the dressing room are way off the mark. Our mail is that some individuals with vested interests - including a player manager pitching an Arthur replacement - is among those spreading the rumour about player revolt. If anything, Arthur has been too loyal to players who have not repaid the faith through performance.
“It’s certainly my understanding that Brad has not lost the dressing room,” said Eels CEO Bernie Gurr.
“He still has the ear of the players and they respect him very much.”
This is the time the club needs to support the coach. Arthur knocked back offers to join other clubs, including a $1 million-per-season offer from Manly, to stay loyal and help the club emerge from the salary cap saga.
However, there’s a feeling out west that he has too much on his plate. The football club is under pressure to cut costs after posting losses of $22 million over the past two years and it appears some corners have been cut. Members of last year’s coaching staff including Peter Gentle, Luke Burt and wrestling coach Brett ‘Bumper’ O’Farrell haven’t been replaced. The blue and golds are also one of the clubs without a dedicated head of footy.
“I’m currently doing it,” said Gurr. “It has worked reasonably well for the 15 months that I’ve been here.
“We’d be remiss not to review the organisational structure of all our departments, including football, to make sure we are on the right track. You need to keep an open mind on these issues.”
Gurr said no corners were being cut in resourcing the playing and coaching staff.
“No, not at all. On the contrary,” Gurr said.
“I’ve said to Brad in recent weeks ‘if you need any assistance anywhere, let me know.’
“If there is anything he needs within the football department, within reason, he will get it. There’s no financial pressure whatsoever on the football department.”
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/ho...ound-parramatta-s-season-20180417-p4za65.html
