ANGRY ARTHUR
COACH WALKS OUT ON MEDIA AS EELS TAKE SIEGE MENTALITY
PARRAMATTA have taken siege mentalities to the next level, with Brad Arthur walking away from his own press conference ahead of tonight’s clash with North Queensland.
Arthur made the unusual decision to hold his mandatory pre- game press conference in Townsville rather than Sydney yesterday and was asked several questions about the salary cap and Chris Sandow fiascos.
After giving short answers for two- and- a- half minutes, Ar- thur said “thank you” and left as reporters stood bemused.
Arthur ( pictured) was polite to journalists but clearly didn’t want to answer their questions. Who can blame him? It has been a rotten season for Parramatta, who are paying for the sins of those who came before them. They face second- placed North Queensland tonight, a team that came back from a 24- point deficit last month to beat them at Parramatta’s home ground 36- 30.
Arthur was clearly taking a leaf from Des Hasler’s play- book with his media antics yesterday.
Hasler is the only other coach to hold a press conference in Townsville before taking on the Cowboys this season.
The siege mentality almost worked for Cronulla last year.
The Sharks arrived in Round 25 without eight players and on their third coach in nine months.