Parramatta teen Jake Arthur has found an unlikely ally as he deals with intense social media criticism.
Arthur copped the brunt of frustration from Eels fans during and after a surprise round eight loss to North Queensland.
Club supporters are seemingly dirty on coach Brad Arthur for selecting his son to play five-eighth, while shifting highly-paid playmaker Dylan Brown to left centre in recent weeks.
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At one point during Saturday’s 35-4 loss to the Cowboys, the Parramatta social media team resorted to tweeting “the Arthur joke is enough. It’s not funny”.
The coach was forced to make drastic backline changes in the face of a crippling injury toll, but many aren’t happy with his 19-year-old son occupying a key role within the team, given the performances dished up.
Arthur, though, can take advice from Penrith’s champion halfback Nathan Cleary.
Cleary is also coached in the NRL by his father – Ivan – and at 24 years old has already endured the best and worst of professional rugby league.
“I think it’s prioritising who you listen to, that’s the biggest thing I’ve worked out,” Cleary told media in response to the Arthur news.
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“If you listen to the trolls all the time, trying to please them, you end up going nowhere.”
Nathan and Ivan joined forces three years ago when the latter jumped ship from the Tigers to coach Penrith, and the pair led the Panthers to the 2021 premiership.
Cleary can certainly understand how awkward it might be for Arthur to be selected by his father at the Eels.
“The first year we were together it was pretty difficult,” Nathan said of he and Ivan.
“It’s not been smooth sailing the whole time. It was tough at the start, if I’m being honest.
“Once we got through it it actually made us strong. It probably helped our relationship as well, we’re closer than we’ve ever been.
“Having that tough start allows you to move on and grow from it.
“In terms of Jake, it’s hard when you’re hard, but personally I’m glad it happened to me at such a young age because it allowed me to grow through it.”
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