'I'd be the first to know': Arthur talks down Eels exit

Head coach Brad Arthur remains confident in his position despite Parramatta's shaky start. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)

Brad Arthur insists he does not feel under the gun at Parramatta, rejecting any suggestion he could benefit from a Wayne Bennett-type coaching director.

Arthur's long-term job security landed back in the headlines this week, after Dolphins coach Bennett - whose contract ends this year - was questioned about his interest in the Eels job.

Parramatta's most-capped coach, Arthur's future has regularly been the subject of conjecture throughout his 11-year tenure at the Eels.

The 49-year-old briefly quietened the chatter by reaching the 2022 grand final, before the Eels fell out of the top eight last season.

They have so far endured an inconsistent start to this year, falling to a 2-3 record after back-to-back losses without injured halfback Mitch Moses.

But Arthur remains adamant that if there was pressure on him he would know about it from club bosses.

"I’ve been here 11 years, and every year there’s some (external) talk of it," Arthur said ahead of Saturday's clash with North Queensland.

"I get it, it’s part of the job. We need to win.

"It's round six, and what puts me on my toes is I want to win.

"I’m sure if there was something I needed to be concerned about I’d be the first person to find out.

"Knowing how the club operates, they know my approach is to be up front - and they’re the same."

In February, the Eels quashed suggestions they were interested in bringing in Bennett as a coaching director.

The off-contract coach downplayed any links to Parramatta this week, but it's thought the romance of trying to emulate his great hero Jack Gibson at the Eels could be a lure.

As far as Arthur is concerned, there is no need for him to work under a coaching director.

"No (I would not benefit from that)," he said when asked about the links.

"That’s not me being arrogant, but I’ve been here for 11 years. I don’t need anyone holding my hand with how to coach.

"Either the club thinks I can coach, or they don’t. Whether I coach here or wherever, (working under a coaching director) wouldn’t suit me."

Arthur said the decision to bring Daejarn Asi back into the halves for Saturday's Cowboys clash was brought about by a need for maturity and communication at No.6.

Asi's selection has left Blaize Talagi in reserve grade, after Arthur felt the teenager had handled the physicality well in two games at five-eighth but needed improvement in detail.

"It’s really important with halves that they communicate well," the coach said.

"That’s always the hardest thing for young halves when they come into a team to have the gumption to tell forwards that have played 200 games what to do."

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store