The common consensus is, to ensure it remains an effective motivational tool, coaches must limit their big sprays to about one per season. Which means Brad Arthur has used already used up his quota for 2018.

Not happy ... Eels coach Brad Arthur. Credit:NRL Photos

Parramatta blew a 14-point lead in the western derby loss to Penrith, failing to match it with their opponents in the second half. Arthur was less than impressed with the performance and let his side know it during a brutal honesty session on Wednesday. After speaking individually to each of his players about their own shortcomings, the coach let the group know, in his own inimitable way, that a repeat performance wouldn’t be accepted.

Arthur’s previous spray had the desired effect. He lost his stack going after the blue and golds lost four consecutive games last season going into the round seven encounter against Wests Tigers. The side responded by winning 14 of their next 19 competition games, earning the Eels their first finals appearance since 2009.