Manly Coach Anthony Seibold has praised young half-back Jake Arthur for his ultimate professionalism this week in the wake of the Daly Cherry-Evans judiciary hearing.
Arthur trained in the halves with the Sea Eagles NRL team on Monday and Tuesday in preparation of playing on Friday night against the Canberra Raiders should Cherry-Evans fail in his bid to get a grade two charged downgraded to a grade one.
With Cherry-Evans getting the green light to play, it means Arthur will again miss out behind the 313 game veteran and in-form five-eighth Luke Brooks.
“Jake Arthur is one of the most professional players that I’ve coached,’’ Seibold said of the 21-year-old.
“I really mean that. He is very diligent with his preparation. He planned as though he was going to play and then we got the news around ‘Chez’.
“I spoke to him yesterday and he knows what the next couple of days looks like for him.
“There is certainly no whinging. It’s a team first attitude and that’s what Jake Arthur has got in spades.
“He will get his opportunity and it’s a matter of taking that opportunity.”
Seibold said Arthur has been a real asset since coming across from Parramatta last year. With the State of Origin series looming for Cherry-Evans, Arthur won’t have to wait much longer before he adds to his 26 game NRL career.
“Jake is a team first person. We feel as though he has been a really good addition,’’ Seibold added.
“The first grade games he played last year and in the pre-season trial games, I thought he made significant contribution to our performances.
“It is just about being patient. If it was good enough for Tom Brady to do it for 18 months with the Patriots, it’s good enough for players in the NRL to bide their time, prepare well, and plan as if they are playing.”
