The Parramatta Eels and their head coach, Brad Arthur, are depending on Dylan Brown to have his greatest season yet. This upcoming year represents a potentially decisive period for both the player and his coach.
Arthur remains contracted until 2025. However, being seasoned in the game, he’s fully aware of the scrutiny that he will face if his team fails to make it to the rugby league finals for a second year running.
The Eels‘ success or failure in the upcoming season is largely hinged on Brown’s performance. The club’s campaign last season suffered a major blow when Brown was side-lined for a seven-week period after admitting to two charges of non-consensual sexual touching at a hotel in Double Bay.
According to Arthur, “There’s never one incident you can blame for a whole season, but that did put a real dampener on things.” Yet, he appears positive base on Brown’s pre-season engagement indicating the playmaker and the Eels have nothing to be concerned about.
“Dylan is 23 now, and he hasn’t really lived up to his potential yet,” Arthur commented on Friday while observing a training session at Shelly Beach, NSW Central Coast. He further added, “Before Dylan was rubbed out last season, he was one of the best players in the competition. Then look what he did in that last Test for the Kiwis [in November].”
In light of the significant remuneration Brown receives, there are expectations that he is consistently delivering top performances. Arthur emphasised this stating, “If you talk about X-factor, Dylan has that, he brings that to our side. It’s what he does for us defensively as well.”
Acknowledging the importance of Brown’s role to the team, Arthur also believes Brown understands it, “He’s so important to this team, and he needs to understand that. We’ve had some good conversations about it.”
Desire for redemption following last season’s incidents is strong, according to Arthur. “He wants to repay his teammates for what happened last season, he wants to repay the fans and repay his family.” He confidently added, “He’ll be very good for us next year.”
Eels coach Arthur is preparing for his 11th season heading the team. Although the team made the Grand Final in 2022, the early withdrawal last season reopened discussions about his suitability for leading the team to its first premiership since 1986.
Assertive in his leadership, Arthur stated, “We’ve made players better. And this club is in a better position than when I first started.” He affirmed his awareness of the nature of his job, “I know it’s a results-driven business. That’s what we sign up for.” Yet he remains confident in his team, “But I’m super confident in the group I’ve got, and know we’ll have a good season.”
Eager to achieve, Arthur added, “I’m hungry for the ultimate success this year. I’m hungry every year. I want to make these guys better people and better players on and off the field.”
J’maine Hopgood, a first-year Eels‘ forward, spoke of Arthur challenging him to aspire for Origin matches for Queensland.
Clint Gutherson was unable to participate in Friday’s beach practice due to knee surgery, although it’s expected he will recover in time for the first round.
Meanwhile, news came of Wests Tigers life member, Peter Hardgrove’s death on Friday. Hardgrove, the club’s one-time chairman, held the position during the 2005 premiership season.