Parramatta have interviewed Jason Demetriou for their vacant head coaching position just 44 days after he was sacked by South Sydney.
Demetriou was one of five candidates who have taken part in the first round of interviews and has declared he is a “career coach” who has “woken from my slumber”.
Trent Barrett, Josh Hannay, Jason Ryles, Demetriou and former Wallabies coach Michael Cheika are all jostling for position to become Brad Arthur’s replacement, with that list to be whittled down for the next round of interviews.
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NSW coach Michael Maguire was also a contender but he withdrew to focus on the State of Origin series after the Blues lost Game 1.
Demetriou guided the Rabbitohs to the 2022 preliminary final in his rookie season and had the club on top of the ladder after 11 rounds last year.
But a stunning fall from grace saw the club spiral to dramatically miss the top eight and after just eight rounds this year he was axed.
Demetriou confirmed he’s spoken with the Eels and said he would love a second crack as a head coach.
“It sort of woke me up from my slumber a bit, got me excited, got the adrenaline going again,” Demetriou said on Triple M.
“I am a strong believer that I am a career coach and I will get an opportunity again.
“This experience has taught me some lessons that really prepped me for that next opportunity that comes.
“You go into head coaching thinking you know that you are ready. Sometimes it takes a bit of a smack in the face to realise this is what it is all about.
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“For me it was about getting out there again, getting the blood going, getting the excitement to put my hat back in the ring. I am excited for the next challenge in my career.
“I am quite brutal in terms of how I reflect. I walked away feeling good about whatever the future holds.”
If Demetriou has his way, it will be at the Eels.
Demetriou was asked why the Parramatta job was so highly regarded among coaches.
“First and foremost they have a roster – a very good roster. As a coach you think about how you can impact that roster,” he said.
“I think Brad Arthur has left that roster in decent shape. It is a strong, vibrant club that is running well. Two years ago they were beaten in a grand final.
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“There is a really strong roster there, an outstanding spine, some really big forwards as well.
“So it’s a team I would love to coach if given the opportunity but there are some really great candidates out there who are putting their hand up.
“There is a reason why everyone is putting their hand up. It is an exciting job. It would be great to be part of a journey that reignites Parramatta.”
Eels interim coach Barrett is pushing hard for the job but Ryles and Hannay have their noses in front as the early favourites, according to The Daily Telegraph.
Cheika is also understood to have impressed in his conversations but the board are nervous he’s only coached one rugby league team, Lebanon at the World Cup, in his decorated career.
Source Agencies
