Jake Arthur hopes to recreate the Cleary’s touching father-son moment when the Eels take on the Panthers in the grand final next week.
Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary and his dad and coach, Ivan, embraced on the field after their premiership win over South Sydney last season.
The Arthurs had to watch that grand final unfold from the lounge after being knocked out of the finals in a brutal two-point semi-final loss to the Panthers.
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On Sunday, they’ll play in their first grand final since 2009 and Arthur — who will likely be named on the bench again — told The Sydney Morning Herald that he hopes to have his own Cleary moment at full time.
“That was really cool seeing that, and it would be an unreal feeling if we can win a comp together,” he said.
“We watched that game as a family in Cairns. To be honest, we were thinking, ‘This could have been us’. That’s what we were hoping.
“I’d be so happy for him to be the coach who wins it.
“You dream about it as a kid. I won a school grand final a few years ago with Patrician Brothers, and won a few with the Rouse Hill Rhinos when Dad was coach.”
The Arthurs have copped plenty of criticism in recent weeks due to Brad’s decision to include Jake — a specialist half — on the bench.
The 19-year-old didn’t get on the field in Friday’s 24-20 preliminary final win over the Cowboys and may not again in Sunday’s big dance, but that doesn’t bother him.
Instead, he just wants to see his dad succeed.
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Questions have been raised over whether Brad Arthur is the man that can lead the Eels to a premiership despite him signing a two-year extension last October.
A bombshell report with the findings of an internal review which claimed there “was a perception of nepotism in the appointment of staff and players” put even more pressure on Brad.
However, his son has gone in to bat for his “level-headed” dad.
“I couldn’t care less about getting on. The boys got the win, and I’m so proud of the old man,” Jake said.
“He’s copped a lot recently, so for us to be in the grand final, it’s unreal.
“It’s hard not to smile. You dream of this stuff.
“There are lots of highs and lows in footy. What I love about dad is he stays so level-headed.
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“He’s forever working. He’s always out on the phone, watching video until 3am (and) he’s gone by 4am to go to work. He just loves it. This week will be the same as any other week where he just works his a**e off.
“Seeing how much he loves it; there have been times where (he has copped criticism and) you think, ‘stuff this’, but because he works so hard you know he’ll always come out on top.
“He’ll get us best prepared as we can.”
