Two NRL greats believe “something doesn’t add up” regarding Parramatta’s admission they’ve failed in their bid to sign Wayne Bennett, with one ex-player of the opinion that the Eels are making a last-ditch effort to lure the legendary coach “as we speak”.
The Eels have been trying to sign Bennett as coach for almost three weeks, and have sacked Brad Arthur despite failing in their bid to flip his intended move to South Sydney.
However, a few former NRL players believe the club’s admission of trying to sign Bennett – and failing – is odd, as is the timing of Parramatta’s announcement in sacking Arthur, and that it could mean that there might be more to unfold regarding the Eels pursuit of Bennett.
Bennett reportedly told Eels chairman Sean McElduff and CEO Jim Sarantinos he was committed to returning to South Sydney even if Arthur was about to be sacked, according to The Courier-Mail’s Pete Badel.
Watch every game of every round this NRL Telstra Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >
“I called him on the second of May, and he said, ‘I’m a fair way down the track with the Rabbitohs’,” McElduff told the SMH.
“‘I know the club, I know the players and I feel like I have unfinished business there’. For the last 18 days, I’ve been trying to flip him. At the end of the day, he wants to be at the Rabbitohs. You can understand why.
“I made a trip up to Queensland with Jim to see him. We had numerous other conversations. I tried hard but we didn’t get there. To be perfectly honest, he was always going to the Rabbitohs.”
The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield is adamant that Bennett will be at the Bunnies next season, but James Graham and Braith Anasta aren’t as sure it’s a done deal.
“With today’s announcement, a couple of things really alert me here,” Graham said on NRL 360.
“The fact that Parramatta have admitted to the fact that they are talking to Wayne for three weeks and they made the call to move Brad Arthur on the 1st of May, so why announce it today, why not tomorrow after you’ve addressed the playing group in person?”
MORE NRL NEWS
SACKED: Eels terminate Brad Arthur effective immediately after horror Magic Rd loss
TALKING POINTS: Leader in NSW halves race; unthinkable Broncos scenario
TEAM TIPS: Storm halves crisis; Walsh in doubt for Broncs amid QLD dilemma
Who are the contenders to coach Eels? | 03:25
“I think they have an impatient fan base and that was another debacle of a performance yesterday,” Rothfield answered.
NRL 360 co-host Braith Anasta agreed with Graham.
“I think what Jimmy is trying to say, is that they’ve made the call so they don’t disrespect Brad Arthur and they are genuinely saying they are making a play at Wayne now. They were hiding it for three weeks,” Anasta said.
Graham added: “Why come out and admit that now?”
“I did speak to Jim Sarantinos about this and they’ve said they are now chance (of signing Bennett) He all but conceded he was going to Souths,” Rothfield replied.
Still, Graham wasn’t convinced.
“Why, if the Eels have been working at this for three weeks, nobody had this confirmed? It’s been rumoured but nobody have confirmed this. Why have Parramatta now confirmed that rumour?” Graham asked.
“It seems so strange that they’ve been so honest about a failure to land this candidate when it was unnecessary.”
“I think when you do something as significant as a coach sacking, you’re aware there is a very hungry media pack in Sydney and they will dig and dig and the Bennett story would have come out anyway,” Rothfield said.
“I applaud them (Eels) for being transparent.”
Anasta brought up the point again later in the segment, asking Rothfield direct if Sarantinos had said if the Eels were out of the race for Bennett.
“He indicated to me that he was of the opinion that Wayne was committed to the Rabbitohs. He did not say, and I’ve got to say this, he did not say he wasn’t going to ring him tomorrow morning but I think he’s resigned to him going to Souths. That’s my view and I’m sticking to it,” Rothfield said.
“I think what they’ve done today is showed their sponsors and their fans that they have had a whack in the best in the business and they’re very serious about it.”
Anasta then interjected that he believes the Eels are making one last run at Bennett.
“I think they are throwing the kitchen sink at him as we speak. I don’t think it’s over,” the NRL 360 host said.
“I think they are making a last-ditch effort, that’s why they are making the call today not to disrespect Brad, he’s done, but now they are going to try and secure Wayne and Souths are nervous. And they should be.”
“It’s an evidence-based call because it doesn’t stack up. There’s too many red flags,” Graham said.
Arthur was axed following a brutal Magic Round loss to the Storm, but it’s clear his papers have been stamped for weeks as Parramatta higher-ups worked behind the scenes to land the supercoach.
Bennett was known to be holding meetings with South Sydney during Magic Round but News Corp reported on Monday Bennett had rejected a deal from the Eels, also made across the weekend in Brisbane.
Dolphins hand Tigers 7th straight loss | 02:35
Despite the bid to land Bennett seemingly failing, the Eels made the long-awaited move on Arthur on Monday.
“The Parramatta Eels have this afternoon informed Brad Arthur that his tenure as Head Coach has ended, effective immediately,” a club statement read.
“It was the view of the Board and CEO that the progress of our NRL team has stalled. Our goal is to win premierships and it is time for the Club to go in a new direction.
“We want to thank Brad who has worked tirelessly for the Club over a 10 year period. During his time as Head Coach, the Club has played in five finals series, including a grand final in 2022.
“We wish Brad and his family the very best in the future and we are very grateful for his services to the Club.
“Trent Barrett will take control of the team as Interim Head Coach for the remainder of the 2024 season.
“We will provide a further update as we move forward to appoint a Head Coach for the 2025 season and beyond.”
Arthur has led Parramatta since 2012, taking them to the 2022 Grand Final, but they are currently 14th on the ladder with a 3-7 record.
Source Agencies
