Brad Arthur insists his team has no mental scars from four week two finals exits in the past five years as another unflattering post-season record looms if Parramatta stumble again.
Star halfback Mitchell Moses is firming to play in Friday’s sudden-death semi-final against Canberra after being cleared by an independent doctor as his recovery from a heavy concussion continues.
Provided he remains symptom-free, Moses will take his spot. It would be a huge boost as the Eels bid to avoid a third straight-sets finals exit since 2017.
Since the NRL adopted a top-eight finals system in 1999, only the Roosters (1999, 2002 and 2020) have bowed out more often with back-to-back losses, but they also have four premierships to show from that period.
Not since a 2009 charge to the grand final have the Eels prevailed in week two of the finals, but Arthur dismissed concerns the annual discussion of Parramatta’s mental approach come September.
“I haven’t heard too much about [the Eels finals record] and the players definitely haven’t talked about it because each year is different,” he said.
Parramatta come to terms with a heavy loss to the Panthers in week one of the finals.Credit:Getty
“The squad’s different. What happened three years ago, what happened three weeks ago doesn’t really matter. I think we’ve matured each season and each game.
“We’re learning to deal with the pressure and stay in the now more.
“Last year in the finals I think we treated them with a bit more respect than the previous years, especially around the defensive part of it.”
The Eels have tapered individual and team training at different points this year in a bid to be fresher come finals time, and have also employed mental skills coach Andrew May for the past two seasons.
May – a former physical performance manager for the NSW and Australian cricket teams – has focused on executing in big moments under pressure.
Mitchell Moses suffered a serious concussion in Parramatta’s big loss to Penrith.Credit:Getty
Co-captain Junior Paulo said May’s influence has helped given Parramatta are at their best when playing an offload-centric, unpredictable style.
“We’ve done stuff with [May] earlier in the year and he still works with individuals in a one-on-one setting,” Paulo said.
“I think the big thing we incorporate is being in the moment, and that kind of suits our footy; playing what you see, you do have to be in that moment.
“You can’t afford to look ahead much or look back on what’s gone wrong. It’s about being present and that’s what works with us.
“We can’t go into our shell and we won’t go away from the style of footy that got us to the finals in the first place.”
Arthur expects winger Waqa Blake to be targeted by Canberra after he spilled three Nathan Cleary bombs last week, but did not consider recalling former Raider Bailey Simonsson in his place.
Middle-forward Nathan Brown will remain as 18th man too as the Eels resist making any changes to the 17 beaten by Penrith. Bench utility Jake Arthur would replace Moses if he is ruled out.
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