Ryan Matterson of the Roosters is tackled in the Downer NRL Auckland Rugby League Nines match, Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand, Sunday, February 05, 2017. Copyright photo: David Rowland / www.photosport.nz

[image_with_animation image_url=”299890″ animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”center” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default” img_link=”https://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=Parramatta+Eels&_sacat=0&_sop=3&mkcid=1&mkrid=705-53470-19255-0&siteid=15&campid=5338666316&customid=1665064&toolid=10001&mkevt=1″]

PARRAMATTA coach Brad Arthur has offered his take on star Eel Ryan Matterson’s decision at the end of last season to choose a three-match ban over a $4000 fine.

Matterson makes his return from that suspension on Thursday night in the grand final rematch against Penrith at Commbank Stadium, bringing the bizarre story back into the spotlight as it’s the same opposition against which the original incident happened.

“My job as coach is not to question players’ decisions – it’s to support them,” Arthur told reporters.

“Then the players, on the back of their decisions, have to live and die on the consequences that go with it.

“In the end I supported Matto’s decision and then he’s got to live and die by the consequences that go with it.”

Arthur admitted he gave his decision on how to respond to the crusher tackle charge. He did not say what that opinion was.

“I will say the timing of it … straight after a grand final … I don’t think anyone was thinking very clearly,” the coach added.

“Maybe with a bit more time, (he) makes a different decision.

“I just don’t think the timing of when he had to make the decision was great.”

“We haven’t discussed it as a group and if Matto’s had those conversations with the players, I’m not privy to it.

Arthur said Matterson would be “a big lift to the team” as round four kicks off on Thursday night.

“He’ll bring that calmness in defence. We’ve probably been lacking that little bit of pressure defensively from our edges.”
Image: David Rowland/SWpix

[nectar_woo_products product_type=”all” category=”parramatta-eels” columns=”4″ flickity_mobile_column_width=”100%” orderby=”date” order=”DESC” per_page=”8″][image_with_animation image_url=”299896″ animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”center” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default” img_link=”https://www.amazon.com.au/s?k=parramatta+eels&crid=1JJE15BFR5BWE&sprefix=parramatta+eel%2Caps%2C307&linkCode=ll2&tag=whitelinefeve-22&linkId=c7894787d247699dca8a141528b168f0&language=en_AU&ref_=as_li_ss_tl”][image_with_animation image_url=”299902″ animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][image_with_animation image_url=”299906″ animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”center” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default” img_link=”https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=parramatta+eels&s=price-desc-rank&crid=2P75G6HV9UKG5&qid=1678891956&sprefix=parramatta+eels%2Caps%2C69&ds=v1%3AmBuuG%2FseJ8h9CkQXHGsppXdda0LZEFBypH4ESqodn40&linkCode=ll2&tag=stevemascord-21&linkId=0f8650855c171cf28d6a4219eb327360&ref_=as_li_ss_tl”][image_with_animation image_url=”299908″ animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”center” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default” img_link=”https://www.amazon.com/s?k=parramatta+eels&s=relevanceblender&crid=27YQLRUOO84QO&qid=1678893738&sprefix=Parramatta+Eels%2Caps%2C173&ds=v1%3AXr%2BPsPWJ9CK2xu8KrFIPIrejWskJ36gJlmdIcHdzyrg&linkCode=ll2&tag=wlf0a-20&linkId=346955a12e1b241180020811f9740ffe&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl”][image_with_animation image_url=”299909″ animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”center” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default” img_link=”https://books.apple.com/us/book/supercoach/id607621667?itsct=books_box_link&itscg=30200&ls=1&at=1000lqwZ”]