Third, Arthur is expected to sign an NRL contract.
The Arthur family’s influence in the NRL is expected to grow.
Matt Arthur is allegedly likely to sign a Top 30 agreement with the Parramatta Eels, bringing yet another member of the Arthur family into the NRL.
While his entry into the Top 30 in Sydney’s west will not be instantaneous, News Corp reports that he will spend the following two seasons on a development deal in his father’s side before going into the Top 30 in 2026, the year the arrangement expires.
Arthur, who was highly regarded by talent scouts, made his NSW Cup debut at the age of 18 and impressed for the Eels at that level.
Arthur, a dummy half, is regarded as one of Parramatta’s most gifted youngsters, and the club will be desperate to keep him from leaving like his older brother Jakob.
After a rough year with the Eels, the half has joined the Manly Sea Eagles and will play a handful of first-grade games for Anthony Seibold’s side in 2023.
He’ll likely be behind Luke Brooks and Daly Cherry-Evans in 2024, but with Cherry-Evans nearing retirement, he might be in Manly’s long-term plans.
Back at the Eels, Matt Arthur is considered part of the club’s long-term plans, but those plans might be accelerated if he performs well in reserve grade next year.
After Round 10, development players can be promoted to the NRL, and the Eels now have only Brendan Hands and Joey Lussick in their Top 30 as recognized dummy halves following the medical retirement of ex-Canberra and English rake Josh Hodgson.
