By Chris Barrett
Auckland Nines revelation Bevan French is in line to make his NRL debut for the Eels against Newcastle at Hunter Stadium on Monday night as Brad Arthur's side searches for a way back from "rock bottom".
The Parramatta coach said on Sunday his team had resolved that "it can't get much worse" after their salary cap breach sanctions were compounded by Corey Norman being charged with drug possession and the five-eighth and front-rower Junior Paulo were warned by police for consorting with known criminals.
Bevan French of the Eels makes a break during the Auckland Nines.Credit: Simon Watts
Paulo's career at Parramatta is over - he was granted a release on Sunday to join Canberra immediately and was expected to watch the Raiders' match against Canterbury at GIO Stadium from the grandstand - and there is another potential mid-season switch in the works with Michael Gordon a possibility of joining the Sydney Roosters.
Gordon is set to play in Newcastle despite that potential transfer being finalised this week, as are Norman and halves partner Kieran Foran, but there could be a surprise late addition to the line-up after French joined the first-grade side for its captain's run at North Parramatta on Sunday.
The 20-year-old nephew of former St George Illawarra flyer Nathan Blacklock, considered a long-term replacement for Jarryd Hayne, is yet to play in the top grade despite making a name for himself with eight tries in the Eels' pre-season triumph in Auckland.
French's under-20s campaign has been interrupted by injury but his appearance at the captain's run heightened expectations he is close to a debut for the Eels, who will be without NSW Origin centre Michael Jennings on Monday night. Vai Toutai was listed at centre in place of Jennings when Parramatta named their team last Tuesday.
Facing a 12-point deduction Parramatta must win 12 from 13 games to reach the semi-finals and while the charging of Norman was just the latest chapter in a season of drama Arthur said he and Foran had enjoyed a solid week of training, with the captain unable to fly to Brisbane for a planned overnight rehab stay due to a shoulder complaint.
"Kieran has trained well and it also makes a difference when you've got your two halves spending some time together whereas in the last six weeks he's probably done two or three sessions with us," Arthur said.
"That gives a bit of confidence. It's sort of a sense of relief from the boys. It can't get much worse. We've hit rock bottom. The only way for us now is forwards."
On Norman, who was allegedly found with MDMA capsules and prescription muscle relaxants at The Star casino, Arthur said: "He put himself in a silly situation. But we've got to give him a chance to prove his innocence,"
On Foran, the coach said he had been continuing treatment for personal issues from Sydney.
"He's consulted with his doctor up there and he's done a couple of Skype sessions," Arthur said.
"He was only going back for an overnight trip anyway, so he still got what he needed to get out of it. He just needed to get some treatment [on his shoulder]. He'll probably go back up for a couple of days next week."
Arthur admitted that the burden of Parramatta's myriad off-field problems had probably played a role in defeats to South Sydney and Melbourne in the past two rounds.
"Maybe over the last couple of weeks, we haven't been at our best football and it has taken its toll a little bit," Arthur said.
"We're all humans. They're not robots. They've been very strong to put it aside. I can't say for sure but maybe for the past fortnight they've been putting on a brave face.
"They've still been playing with plenty of effort. Maybe their heads haven't been in the game for the full 80 minutes."
Arthur said Daniel Alvaro would replace Paulo in the Eels team against Newcastle.