Brad Arthur’s future as coach of the Eels appears increasingly uncertain following reports that club officials declined to grant star recruit Zac Lomax’s request to link his contract to Arthur’s status. Lomax sought a clause in his four-year deal that would allow him to become a free agent if Arthur was ousted. However, the Eels rejected this condition, leading Lomax to finalize his deal recently. With speculation swirling about Wayne Bennett potentially taking over, pressure mounts on Arthur, who acknowledges the need for improved performance to secure his position. The team’s recent loss to Manly in contentious circumstances, coupled with frustrations over officiating decisions, adds to the scrutiny. Additionally, Jack Hetherington has broken his silence on a tunnel confrontation, expressing regret for his actions while criticizing opponents Reed Mahoney and Jaeman Salmon.
“I hate a little smart a–e who runs in like he does,” the Knights enforcer said.
“They [Mahoney and Salmon] were like little pests – like little Chihuahuas… but that doesn’t mean I should have done what I did.”
Hetherington admitted he was ‘actually expecting to get a bit longer than a week’ for the incident with Mahoney, confirming that while he was frustrated with the Bulldog, the shove was ‘lighthearted’.
“If I had my time again, I would not have done it. They could have made an example of me even if it was lighthearted,” he said.
While the 27-year old has a chequered history of on-field misdemeanours, this was his first suspension since 2021.
Hetherington will be available for the Knights when they take on the Warriors on Sunday afternoon.
(Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
All hands on deck at Dolphins
The already injury-ravaged Dolphins could be without the Bromwich brothers -Jesse and Kenny – next week after they were injured in the 18-14 loss to Newcastle.
Dolphins captain and prop forward Jesse Bromwich finished Sunday’s clash at Suncorp Stadium with ice on his right calf while second-rower Kenny Bromwich failed an HIA in the first half after sustaining a category two concussion.
Kenny faces a mandatory 11-day stand down unless the Dolphins appeal to the NRL and have that overturned, as some clubs have successfully achieved recently.
Queensland representatives Thomas Flegler (shoulder) and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (hamstring) won’t be available for Saturday night’s away clash with North Queensland. Neither will England international centre Herbie Farnworth (AC joint).
Jesse Bromwich confirmed his calf injury after the loss.
“It is a bit sore and tender but I will get scans. I haven’t had a calf tear before,” he said.
“It doesn’t feel like a tear. It is either a bad cork or a little strain. If not (I will play) next week or the week after.
“I’m hoping I will be fine next week but (injuries) seem to be the story of our season. We’ve had a few guys get injured and guys come in and do a great job.”
Veteran second-rower Felise Kaufusi (hamstring) has a chance of a comeback against the Cowboys.
In better news, Samoan international back-rower Connelly Lemuelu played his first game in two months for Norths Devils in the Queensland Cup on return from a medial collateral ligament injury sustained in round one of the NRL.
“I am pretty sure we get Felise back next week and Connelly Lemuelu and they are two forwards we could do with,” Bromwich said.