- Matt Arthur to make NRL debut with Parramatta Eels
- His father Brad was recently fired by the club.
- The teenager has impressed playing in the NSW Cup
Long before he was named to make his NRL debut this week, Parramatta players knew who Matt Arthur was.
The son of former Eels coach Brad Arthur, he was a regular at the club’s Kellyville training base from the age of 12, usually accompanying his father on fitness drills.
While Trent Barrett is now in charge on an interim basis while the club continues to deliberate who will take over in 2025, it is time for another Arthur to step into the spotlight.
And his new teammates have no doubt the 19-year-old will handle the occasion on Saturday against the Knights.
‘When I first started training in the NRL, Matt was there training with us. He was always in and around the club,’ five-eighth Dylan Brown said.
‘It was good to have him around, watching him run and beat all the forwards.
“He’s a great representation of his father… he works hard and puts his all into everything he does.”
Back-row Bryce Cartwright says the fictional New South Wales Under-19 midfielder is someone to watch.
Long before he was named to make his NRL debut this week, Parramatta players knew who Matt Arthur (pictured) was.
The son of former Eels head coach Brad Arthur, he was a regular at the club’s Kellyville training headquarters in recent years, usually following his father through fitness drills.
“He trained really hard in preseason. We probably all knew he was going to get a chance this year at some point,” Cartwright said.
“It’s a special moment for him and his family.”
Barrett highlighted the teenager’s fine form in the New South Wales Cup as being what has impressed them most.
“He’s probably been one of our best players and one of our most consistent. I think it’s important that we reward that good performance as well,” he said.
‘Matt deserves his place. We knew his debut was coming. It was about choosing the right moment.’
Meanwhile, Brad Arthur is understood to have met with representatives of the Perth expansion bid this week to discuss a return to training with the proposed 18th NRL team.