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A young Brad . by John Macdonald
It ’ s a toss-up who deserves the most credit for Brad Arthur ’ s , if not brilliant , then remarkable rugby league coaching career .
Was it his mum Lynette , or the Seven Hills Kangaroos ?
“ I grew up in Riverstone , then Quakers Hill , and started by playing soccer ,” Arthur said of his long journey that continues as Parramatta coach for a record number of seasons and games .
“ Then my mum saw a registration for Seven Hills Kangaroos and took me along .”
It was infatuation from the first run and tackle .
“ I loved the game ,” he added , of his start as an under 9s half back .
The infatuation was so great , by midpublic school in Quakers Hill and high school in Marayong , Arthur had already decided which subject he wanted to excel at , football .
The Kangaroos excelled , making five grand finals in nine seasons and winning three .
“ We had a pretty good team ,” was the halfback cum-lock ’ s understatement .
Arthur excelled too , winning several awards , including club champion trophies , and was spotted by Parramatta talent scouts .
He was halfback in the Eels ’ 1991 winning S . G . Ball Cup team , graded in 1993 and played two seasons in Presidents Cup , interspersed with some reserve-grade appearances , and the
halfback-cum-lock won the Eels ’ cup player of the year award in 1994 .
Arthur may have decided which educational subject he wanted to excel at , but he knew he needed a future back-up , while alternating between the Kangaroos and the Eels .
“ I joined Blacktown Council and did a horticulture course and got my certificate ,” he said .
Does he retain an interest in gardening and what does he remember of what he learned ? “ Nothing ,” he said . “ I mow the lawn at home , on what used to be the sixth or seventh hole of the golf course ( the former Kellyville Country Club at Rouse Hill ).”
The 80kg lightweight lock had played along what should have been a traditional path to first grade , but it wasn ’ t going to happen .
When reserve-grade coach , Gary Peth bridge , the former classy Parra centre , went to Penrith , Arthur accepted an offer and joined him .
Arthur played some reserve grade before a conversation with Panthers coach Royce Simmons , documented in the Sydney Morning Herald .
“ He was a very intelligent player , he knew how to stick to game plans and how to play ,” Simmons commented .
“ But he wasn ’ t very big at all , he was lucky to be 80kg and wasn ’ t overly quick . I thought it was better to tell the kid when he was young .”
Simmons recommended him for a captain-coach ’ s job at Bateman ’ s Bay , and
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6 ISSUE 36 // MARCH 2024 theindependentmagazine . com . au BLACKTOWN CITY INDEPENDENT