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Find your frequency here'It still burns bright': Brad Arthur confirms desire to return to the NRL
Charles Goodsir • August 14th, 2025 12:38 pm
Former Parramatta Eels coach Brad Arthur has told SEN that he still harbours a desire to return to the NRL as a head coach.
Arthur, who led the Eels to the 2022 NRL Grand Final against Penrith, was sacked midway through the 2024 season after a stagnation of results.
Arthur has since been coaching in the UK Super League for the Leeds Rhinos who are currently sitting in fifth position on the table.
Despite recently signing a 12-month extension with Leeds, Arthur is adamant that he wants another crack at the NRL.
“It still burns bright,” Arthur told SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“I learnt a lot the first time around and I made plenty of mistakes along the way.
“It’s a tough gig in the NRL and it doesn’t take any passengers.
“I was very proud of my situation at the Eels. I took over a club that had won a couple of wooden spoons and we were (perennial) week two finalists for four years in a row.
“We then made it to a Grand Final but we just happened to get beaten by a team that has just been at the top of their game for the last four to five years.
“I still have that desire. There are a few things that I will adjust when I inevitably come back home.
“I want to have a crack at going one better and try to win an NRL competition.”
With a number of NRL coaches facing uncertain futures at the end of the season, a vacant coaching job in the NRL was likely.
However, Arthur feels he has unfinished business with the Rhinos and his family after taking over during the 2024 season.
“There are a lot of good people at the Rhinos and I’ve really enjoyed my time here.
“I felt I could make a difference with this group. I feel like we are getting better and the buy-in from the players.
“They are growing this confidence and riding this wave.
“I have been looking with my daughter at universities (in the UK) so I was ready to commit to Leeds for another 12 months.”
Arthur’s sons, Jake and Matt, will line up together for the first time in the NRL when they run out for the Newcastle Knights against the North Queensland Cowboys on Sunday afternoon.
Their father is naturally disappointed he won’t be able to attend the match in Townsville but was immensely proud of his two boys.
“Matt got to make his debut for Newcastle at the start of the year and I unfortunately had to miss that,” Arthur continued.
“I don’t feel like I’ve been a proper dad which is sad but I’m so excited that those guys get to have a game together.
“They played together when they were 12 and 13 years old so to get the opportunity to play at first grade level, we are really proud of them.
“I hope they really enjoy it.”
Arthur coached 264 games for the Parramatta Eels from 2012 to 2024 with a 52% winning record.
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