Parramatta prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard has launched an impassioned defence of coach Brad Arthur, telling critics they wouldn't last a week in his job.
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The pressure has grown on Arthur since the Eels' straight-sets exit out of the NRL, with their semi-final exit marking the third time in four years they have fallen in week two.
Arthur remains a popular figure among the players, having twice taken them from the pits of the wooden spoon to contenders.
Their third-place finish this season was their best in 11 years, while Arthur had them firing at the top of the ladder for the first half of the year.
But the team's capitulation last week has prompted questions over whether he can take them to the next step, amid rumours of a rift with general manager of football Mark O'Neill.
Campbell-Gillard, who is NSW State of Origin camp, however, said any criticism of Arthur is unfair.
"I think all those opinions have probably got to be kept to themselves. Brad is an excellent coach, I will back him 100 per cent," Campbell-Gillard told AAP.
"All those reports, I found pretty off. That's not what he is about and it's not what should be around about him.
"It doesn't reflect everything he does for everyone at the the club.
"This competition is a very tough competition, if not the toughest in the world.
"It's very hard to make semi-finals.
"If you think you could do a better job, come try and do it. You wouldn't last a week."
Parramatta made some moves in the market on Wednesday, signing Warriors forward Isaiah Papali'i on a two-year deal from 2021 while North Queensland outside back Tom Opacic and hooker Joey Lussick join the Eels on single-season contracts.
Meanwhile, Campbell-Gillard has spoken regularly this year on Arthur's impact on him at the Eels.
Out of form and at a critical juncture of his career when he left Penrith at the end of last year, Campbell-Gillard formed one of the best front-row combinations in the NRL in 2020 with Junior Paul.
It earned them both a call up into the NSW squad ahead of David Klemmer - with Paulo an Origin rookie and Campbell-Gillard returning after a broken jaw ended his 2018 campaign.
"Brad is definitely the bloke for the (Eels) job, he has turned my football around," Campbell-Gillard said.
"The respect he has for the players, and the players for him is massive."
Australian Associated Press
