League legend Mark Geyer has torn strips off the struggling Eels, accusing them of putting the white flag up in their second-half capitulation against the Dolphins while also suggesting the team needs a “complete overhaul”.
The Eels were humbled 44-16 by a Dolphins side missing Herbie Farnworth, Tom Flegler and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, with the visitors running in a staggering eight tries in 25 minutes in hot and humid conditions in Darwin.
Parramatta fans were furious on social media, attacking the coach, the players, the club’s recruitment policy and anything else they could think of after one of the worst performances by the club under Brad Arthur.
“They travelled to Darwin against an understrength Dolphins team, and at halftime they were winning 8-4,” Geyer said on Triple M’s Mick & MG in the Morning.
“After 45 minutes they were leading 10-4, and then all of a sudden eight tries in 25 minutes were scored against them.
“I have never seen a bigger capitulation from a rugby league team in my life.
“I don’t know what happened in that second half because they put the white flag up, and I’ve never seen a team put the flag up like they did.”
The Eels were in the grand final two years ago but they missed the top eight in 2023 and look at long odds to fight their way back into finals contention as they continue to struggle without injured halfback Mitchell Moses.
Arthur accused them of being a “part-time footy team” after their insipid display, which came a week after a spirited performance at home where they beat the Cowboys.
“All the comments are going to come now asking if Brad Arthur’s job is safe,” Geyer said.
“He’s definitely in the headlights.
“A lot of the questions around Brad Arthur are ‘can he get more out this team than he’s already done?’
“He’s been to countless finals series, but I think the team needs a complete overhaul. They need change at the moment.
“They’re sitting in 14th spot on the ladder on six points, but they should be a lot higher than that.”
