Jakob Arthur potentially won't be able to train alongside his new Eels teammates until a day before his NRL debut, but can still conduct one-on-one video analysis alongside father Brad in his family home.
But an entire adolescence spent in blue and gold – plenty of it spent lapping Eels stars in fitness drills – have Parramatta at ease with the teen half handling one of the more bizarre first grade entrances in recent memory.
Arthur has been named to replace the suspended Dylan Brown at five-eighth against the Warriors on Sunday, one of four "dirty" Eels players named in their 21-man squad after playing in last week's NSW Cup fixture.
The Eels have upgraded 18-year-old Arthur's development deal to a top 30 contract - taking the roster spot of Michael Jennings - to ensure he is eligible to play under NRL rules.
Parramatta at this stage are due to fly to Brisbane for Magic Round on Saturday.
As it stands Arthur, Jordan Rankin, Ray Stone and Joey Lussick are unable to train with the rest of Parramatta's side under current NRL protocols, which require all selected players to observe strict level 3 protocols and pass a COVID-19 test before departure to Brisbane.
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After they meet those two criteria they will still be subject to NRL biosecurity approval, and only once they are approved can they join training, likely a pre-game captain's run.
The irony is Jakob Arthur still lives at home with his parents and has always been listed as a family member of father Brad, who has long been part of the Eels COVID-safe bubble.
Arthur has been raised on rugby league and is set to debut as the game's latest father-son player-coach combo having been a near-permanent fixture at Parramatta in recent years.
The uber-fit playmaker has progressively challenged captain Clint Gutherson and Brown in endurance drills, leaving Eels stars with little doubt over his ability to handle the NRL step up.
"It would be a special moment for Brad and the club itself," prop Junior Paulo said.
"I'm not sure if the club has ever had a father-son duo as player and coach.
"He's been training with us since he was 12 years old, so he probably knows the game plan better than anyone.
"And being involved in footy with having Brad as his old man, he is a real footy head.
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"He puts in all the hard work and does all the extras he can. It would be a special moment."
Gutherson added that Moses's strong form in a positively flying Parramatta side would have Arthur at ease on debut.
"Whoever steps into that role will do a job for us and let Mitchell control the team," he said.
"He's fine, just a young kid that has been training hard.
"Brad rides him pretty hard as all dads do but it will be a pretty special moment.
"He's good at training, keeps his head down and works hard so he's always in the good books."
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The drama around Parramatta's Tuesday team list was preceded by NSW Origin lock Nathan Brown inking a new two-year deal with the club.
Brown has re-signed until the end of 2023 after protracted contract negotiations that saw the club's initial two-year offer pulled amid uncertainty around fellow big guns Mitchell Moses and Ryan Matterson.
The clock continues to tick on Moses' 2022 player option, which he has up until Sunday's clash with the Warriors to take up, while Matterson's own contract option expires in round 13.
The star half has been in talks as well though around an extended, multi-year deal beyond next season, with both player and club confident he will remain in blue and gold even if that deadline lapses.
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Last week's decision to officially part ways with veteran centre Jennings – who is provisionally suspended after testing positive to banned substances – has freed up salary cap space for the Eels' wide-ranging retention plans.
Parramatta have Jennings' 2022 salary – around $400,000 – free to target backline reinforcements should they choose, while last week highly rated teen centre Will Penisini was re-signed alongside prop David Hollis for another two years.
Brown has been named to return from a hip pointer injury against the Warriors and said his home ties to the Parramatta region, and chance to deliver a long-awaited title, saw him sign on the dotted line.
"It's hard to put it down to one thing as to why I stayed but I've been here a few years and it's home for me," Brown said.
"I grew up in the area and played my junior footy here.
"The boys, coaching staff and a premiership, which I think we can achieve. Those are the factors as to why I stayed."
NRL Magic Round Brisbane 1-Day & 3-Day Passes are now on sale with eight massive games across round 10 at Suncorp Stadium this May. With the league's best players all heading to Brisbane, you'd hate to miss it! Tickets at NRL.com/Tickets.
