Despite the fact that theyโve been eliminated from the finals in the second week four times in the past five years, Parramatta Eels coach Brad Arthur insists his team are carrying no psychological weight ahead of their semi-final against Canberra.
Itโs been 13 years since the Eels made it past the second week of the finals, but Arthur says the horror run hasnโt been spoken about between the playing group.
โI havenโt heard too much, and the players definitely havenโt talked about it because each year is different,โ Arthur told the Sydney Morning Herald.
โThe squadโs different. What happened three years ago, what happened three weeks ago, it doesnโt really matter. I think weโve matured each season and game.
โWeโre learning to deal with the pressure and stay in the now more. Last year in the finals I think we treated them with a bit more respect than the previous years, especially around the defensive part.โ
The club has employed a mental skills coach โ Andrew May - for the past two seasons in a bid to develop more mental resilience โ and according to co-Captain Junior Paulo, itโs paying off.
โWeโve done stuff with (May) earlier this year, and he still works with individuals in a one-on-one setting,โ Paulo told the Herald.
โThe big thing we incorporate is being in the moment, and that kind of suits our footy โ playing what you see. You do have to be in the moment.
โYou canโt afford to look ahead much or look back on whatโs gone wrong. Itโs about being present and thatโs what works with us.
โWe canโt go into our shell and we wonโt go away from the style of footy that got us to the finals in the first place.โ
Itโs been a frantic week for Parramatta, with halfback Mitchell Moses racing the clock to return from concussion protocols โ but it looks like the star half will be ready to play. Heโll be replaced by Jakob Arthur, should there be any sudden developments in his recovery.
