Dylan Brown, a top player for Parramatta, feels it was “unfair” for Brad Arthur to be fired as the team’s coach at this point in the season and acknowledges that the Eels’ relegation to the bottom four is partly the players’ fault.

Brown is the first player for the Eels to publicly discuss the firing of the senior coach, Arthur, who was fired after the team lost badly to the Storm at Magic Round, allowing 48 points to a squad that was without several of its top players.

Brown and Arthur had a unique friendship from the Kiwis playmaker’s NRL debut in 2019, which helps to explain why Brown was devastated to see his mentor fired after leading the Eels to the grand final.

“As adults, things happen to us that we would rather not. Many of us are pretty close to Brad, so it’s painful to see him go, but what happened was unexpected,” he remarked.

“It’s disappointing that he left like that, especially given the time of year.”

“While we are upset, we must move on and accomplish our goals since there are supporters eagerly awaiting our performance. Brad didn’t have to perform on the field; it is our responsibility as players.

It’s unfortunate that his termination was due to his performance, but that’s our decision.

Many of us thought that was our fault and continued to focus on it, but the only thing that can save us from this is one another. We aren’t performing right now, so that’s the only thing we can do about it.

Arthur’s firing came just in time for Parramatta’s covert attempt to sign Wayne Bennett, who announced the next day that he would be joining the Rabbitohs in 2025.

Some were surprised that Arthur was fired rather than given more time with his stars returning, but the Eels are far from done for the season, as they should have their two best players back on Thursday night in Clint Gutherson and Mitch Moses.

After Souths’ 42-26 defeat, Brown remarked, “The decision has come from above and we don’t know the exact reasons as to why it was this timing, but we always knew there was pressure on him, and he knew that.”

“I thought it was unjust, but I understand why they made the decision that they did.

We are the ones who visit that location once a week. It is our duty to speak with every player, not only the leadership group but also players 1 through 30. It is awkward.

During the post-game press conference, co-captain Junior Paulo, who was seated next to interim coach Trent Barrett, expressed his sorrow at learning of Arthur’s passing. He said that the players now have three wins in 2024 to turn things around.

The Eels have one of the strongest offensive teams in the league, but their defense has been atrocious at times this season, giving up 30 points per game and going winless away from home.

That, in my opinion, has been our season’s narrative. The points we are getting are more important than the points we aren’t scoring, according to Brown.

“It’s quite embarrassing once more, but we just need to keep going and find some momentum.” Every time they score, we say, “Win the set and get the ball back,” but we’re not actually doing that. We’re having the same talks behind the posts.