The Parramatta Eels have been rocked on the eve of the biggest game of their season by an explosive internal review which claims there is “nepotism” at the club.
As the Eels prepare for Friday night’s elimination semi-final against the Canberra Raiders, Fox League has learned some of the key takeaways from the review conducted by former NRL coach Nathan Brown include:
— There was a perception of nepotism in the appointment of staff and players
— Need better NRL connection to Flegg and Junior Reps
— Recognition of all staff in all programs could be better
— Player skill development could be better with “Eels philosophy”
— Clarity of roles must be better communicated and communication between all roles must be clearer.
An excerpt from Parramatta’s internal review.Source: supplied
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The findings of the elite pathways report were presented to the Parramatta Eels NRL board a fortnight ago on August 31. There is no suggestion in the briefing document obtained by Fox Sports that the nepotism claim relates to coach Brad Arthur or his son Jakob, who has been selected to play off the bench against the Raiders on Friday.
The leaked findings of the review come at the worst possible time for the Eels as they prepare to play the Canberra Raiders at CommBank Stadium on Friday night. Fans were left devastated after Parramatta were demolished by the Panthers on Friday night after finishing in the top four.
The elite pathways review was intended to give the board an overview of the club’s performance through Harold Matthews, SG Ball, Jersey Flegg and how the lower grades feed into the NRL team.
Coach Arthur’s finals record of winning just two finals games from nine appearances with a 22% strike rate dating back to 2017 has been extended repeatedly this week.
Broadcaster Ray Hadley referred to deep-rooted Eels issues surrounding Arthur on his morning radio show this week, which has been the talk of rugby league circles ahead of a clash with final seen as the most important for the club in at least a decade. Long-suffering Parramatta fans have not been able to celebrate a premiership since 1986, the longest drought of any current club.
The development comes amid questions about why former NSW forward Nathan Brown, who is on $550,000 a season and is still signed for next year, is being held out and has not been able to come on to the Eels top 17.
Fox League has also been told the Eels’ leadership group has questioned why Brown has been continually omitted from the NRL side.
The Eels have declined to comment.