Trent Barrett, the interim Eels coach, has broken his silence following Brad Arthur’s shocking dismissal, stating that the entire playing group and staff were “disappointed” with their 2024 campaign.
Parramatta is currently in 14th place, and the club’s powerbrokers decided to terminate Arthur’s contract immediately on Monday following a 48-16 loss to the Storm.
Barrett, who has previously been the head coach of the Sea Eagles and Bulldogs, has taken over for the rest of the season and spoke to the media for the first time on Friday.
“The first few days it took a bit of getting used to and we’ve had a pretty busy week, but our main focus is tomorrow against Souths,” he told the media.
“The first thing we say is confidential between the players. But, despite our dissatisfaction with the first half of the week, we still have work to do.
“I guess that’s the message from us to the players, we are all professionals and as unfortunate as it is, we owe it to the club and the fans to go out and perform well tomorrow night.”
Barrett’s previous head coaching roles have been far from smooth sailing, resigning from his position at Manly and being sacked by Canterbury-Bankstown powerbrokers.
However, he now gets a huge chance to once again show his credentials as a coach and believes the lessons he’s learnt will hold him in good stead.
“Certainly a hell of a lot from the previous jobs and I’ve certainly learnt a lot since I’ve been here for the past 18 months,” Barrett said.
“There’s bits and pieces you pick up and things I would certainly do different. I’m excited about the challenge for the rest of the year, but just small steps.”
Barrett was asked how the playing group was feeling after their head coach was sacked, however the former Sea Eagles boss explained it wasn’t just the players feeling down.
“It wasn’t just the players, everyone was disappointed,” he said.
“Everyone was disappointed. We’ve all worked really hard and Brad is a terrific coach and I’m sure we will see him again soon in another role.
“But as I said, with the greatest of respect we need to move forward and win tomorrow. That’s the only thing we can really control.”
Whilst the Eels have only been able to beat the Bulldogs, Sea Eagles and Cowboys this season, Barrett is still confident he can steer Parramatta to the finals.
“We are two wins out of the eight, I think this week’s going to be a real challenge and we’ve got a few players out,” he said.
“There’s a few players coming back next week against the Sharks. There’s some upside to the season and a hell of a lot of footy to be played.
“Coming into an Origin period where some of the results get tipped on their head and we have a bye as well. So this next five weeks is a really important block for us.
“But the semi finals are still a goal for us.”
The Eels are set to welcome back star duo Clint Gutherson and Mitchell Moses in Round 14, who have both been sidelined due to respective knee and foot injuries.
Outside of that pair returning, Barrett indicated he’s ready to shake up the side in the coming weeks.
“We will wait and see, having Mitchell (Moses) and Gutho (Gutherson) out at the moment has tested our depth a little bit,” he said.
“We miss their experience too, but we have good players filling their shoes. But we may do some things differently over the course of the next few months.
“But this wasn’t the week to do it. It’s been a tough week but I’m sure we will see a committed side tomorrow night.”
One such change could be a positional switch for Gutherson, who has previously played in the centres at a representative level.
That would allow young gun Blaize Talagi to remain at fullback, with the 19-year-old being the Eels’ best player over the last two games.
The teenager also declined his contract option to stay at Parramatta for the 2025 season, with the Dragons reportedly interested in signing the prodigious talent.
Barrett was asked if he’d consider keeping Talagi in the No.1 jersey, and he explained the Eels are a “better” team with both players in the 17.
“We will cross that bridge when it comes, but Blaize has done a terrific job and he’s a good young player and we’d certainly like to see him here long-term,” he said.
“That’s something I know the club are working really hard to do, he’s a local junior and a great kid but Gutherson’s our captain.
“Moving forward you’d like to see us fit both in our team and we will be a better side with both of them there, but that’s not for me to worry about today.”
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