Eels coach Brad Arthur has slammed an internal leak, which sparked a week of turmoil for the Parramatta club in the lead-up to its Friday night showdown with Canberra.
Arthur suggested someone had an “agenda” after Fox League revealed a leaked internal report, which stated, among other issues, there “was a perception of nepotism in the appointment of staff and players”.
The internal report itself made no reference to Brad or son Jakob, who was selected on the bench for the Eels, who will face the Cowboys next week after beating the Raiders 40-4.
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“Pressure, leaked stories, how did that affect the group?” Fox League’s Jake Duke asked in the post-match press conference.
“I reckon we showed how it affected the group. If someone has an agenda, then they are not going to break us,” Arthur said.
“There is some personal interest, so whoever has the agenda you are not going to break this group, we have worked too hard.”
Eels captain Clint Gutherson echoed his coach’s opinion, claiming not many things would “break” the playing group.
“I think it shows, went out there playing the footy we wanted to, as you said it was a tough loss to Penrith and to bounce back like that,” Gutherson said.
“As Brad said, not many things will break us as a group, so to be able to put that performance in after the last 24 hours, which I don’t even know where that came from, very pleasing.”
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Arthur also revealed the playing group didn’t address the shock report, labelling it “rubbish”.
“We have dealt with plenty in the past, we didn’t even address it and we didn’t even talk about it,” Arthur said.
“It was rubbish, the boys just want to go and have fun and play for each other, and that is what they are doing.
“When I first started coaching I definitely would have worried about it or bought into it or had some commentary about it.
“But I have the confidence in this group and I know exactly what is in these dressing sheds, and I didn’t even feel the need to talk to anyone about it.”
Fox League’s Cooper Cronk and Gorden Tallis both agreed the Eels were clearly “united” and after a big win to reach the preliminary finals for the first time since 2019 — the critics will now stay quiet.
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“It doesn’t really matter what goes on around the game, or a club or an individual. It’s the performance and the win that is most important,” Cronk said.
“Lot of storylines around the week, but they handled it very well. That performance shows they’re a united club.”
“They’re united. And when you win, the critics be quiet. It’s simple as that. An internal review is an internal review. He picks a side, and I’m sure he’s not the only guy that sits there and picks the 17,” Tallis said.
“I’m sure there’s input by other guys, and I’m sure the senior players have a say as well.
“If they had a problem, they should say it. It’s a bit (like) what happened up in Brisbane – say it to a coach, don’t say it behind someone’s back.”
