In 2023, eels ‘weren’t up to it’: Arthur is the coach.
After the Parramatta Eels’ NRL finals hopes were all but dashed by a 34-12 loss to the Sydney Roosters, Brad Arthur said the Eels “weren’t up to it” in 2023.
Despite the fact that the Eels are projected to go from grand finals in 2022 to bottom-nine finishers in 2023, the coach insists the team’s effort has not wavered this season.
To make the finals from here, Parramatta would need to upset reigning premiers Penrith on the road in round 26, preferably by a wide margin, to increase their for-and-against.
Even yet, the Eels would need a few additional outcomes to go their way in order to finish in the top eight with a 12-12 record.
The reigning runners-up’s home defeat on Friday was the latest setback in a season that has rarely gone as planned.
Shaun Lane, the reigning Parramatta player-of-the-year, was limited to nine games due to injury, and standout five-eighth Dylan Brown was arrested on sexual contact accusations more than two months ago.
Big-name recruit Josh Hodgson failed to live up to pre-season expectations, in-form prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard was sidelined by injury and then suspension, and marquee half Mitch Moses completed the season in the casualty room with an eye-socket fracture.
The year began with a string of close losses that forced the Eels to play catch-up, and once they made it into the top eight, their defense ran out of steam during the always-tense State of Origin period.
In the seven games since their round 18 bye, the Eels have given up an average of 35 points per game.
“There were plenty of games there where we had our chances or we had a moment we could’ve turned into something,” Arthur went on to say.
“We’re only talking about two or three more wins.” We started the season 0-3 and were in position to win those games as well.
“I’m just sorry for everyone associated with the club.” “I’m disappointed for the players, as well as our members and fans.”
However, Arthur insisted that the dismal season will not deter the Eels.
This year, the lads worked extremely hard. “We had plenty of fight, but we weren’t up to it,” he explained.
“I understand how hard they tried. It was insufficient. We must accept responsibility for this. We need to get through it in the offseason so we can be ready for next year.
“However, we haven’t given up. We’re not going away.”
