Highly-touted Parramatta prospect Jake Arthur is set to play under his father Brad this week as the Eels face St George Illawarra in a trial match at Kogarah, while new recruit Bryce Cartwright will be sidelined for the next 4-6 weeks.
While the Eels' squad for the trial clash is yet to be confirmed, The Daily Telegraph reports that Arthur is set to be given a run after an impressive campaign with the Blacktown Patrician Brothers' championship schoolboy side in 2020.
Noted as a flexible playmaker, Arthur has been heavily backed within the Parramatta camp and will have the chance to flex his best as both sides name young, emerging rosters.
Each club will be limited to players who played less than 12 games last season, with a strong pack of Parramatta young guns set to be named under coach Arthur.
According to The Telegraph's Paul Crawley, Arthur possesses a skilful kicking game whilst boasting a large frame and an impressive tank.
The Eels are set to request an exemption from the league to play new recruit Keegan Hipgrave, who played 13 games with Gold Coast in 2020.
Hipgrave is one of several new names that could feature for the Eels this week, while Cartwright is set to manage a broken jaw that was sustained at training last week.
The setback now places Cartwright's chances of first running out in a Parramatta jumper to the regular season whilst remaining in doubt for the club's Round 1 clash against Brisbane on March 12.
MrMorayEel…
Will he get to play first grade there someday? Or will the club just buy some half to replace him with?
I’m guessing that if Arthur is good enough for first grade. It will all depend on what happens with Arthur Senior.
No GF at least , or maybe GF win? As Parramatta now expect that. Then it’s bye , bye to Arthur Senior . That may mean bye, bye to Arthur Junior.
EastOfDredge if we need to buy other teams players we will come talk to the Riff as they are professionals at it.
I am surprised you haven’t claimed Jake Arthur is a Riff junior seeing as you seem to think every player in the comp is a Riff junior.
At least when Brad Arthur goes it will be when his contract is up.
Unlike that scum Cleary who begged Tigers players to stay on the bus then turned his back on them.
It takes a special kind of lowlife grub to do that.
No wonder he is a perfect fit at the Riff.
Can’t you answer a couple of simple questions mreel? Too much for you?
Do you think that Parramatta never sacked a coach early?
Mostly , you’ll find that Parramatta will say that their coaches decide to resign early. Which is just another way of saying that they were ‘ pushed off of the Parramatta bus ‘ . The same as at any other club .
However, ask Jason Taylor if the Eels are just good & truthful guys , when it comes to contracts . He’s our man! Let’s shoot a video with Jason , talking about his future plan for Parramatta! Oh , sorry Jason . We signed Brad Arthur while you were sleeping! Did anyone remember to burn that Jason Taylor video?