A THIRD fracture in Parramatta's dysfunctional board has raised conjecture about the club's wholesale support for coach Ricky Stuart, who is firmly on Canberra's radar.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal a worrying split within the new bloc of Eels directors, who dubbed themselves ParraFirst at this year’s elections.

Chairman Steve Sharp, Tom Issa and Peter Serrao are now at loggerheads with former ally Lawrence Shepherd, who is believed to be cooling on Stuart.

Well-placed sources at the Eels have confirmed Shepherd remains in regular contact with former CEO Denis Fitzgerald, who is trying to advise the new board on key decisions.

After a horror season that will conclude with back-to-back wooden spoons, those discussions could soon concern Stuart’s contract should outside forces gain traction.

Cutting his teeth under Fitzgerald’s regime in 2006, Roosters assistant Jason Taylor has been mentioned as the most likely replacement.

It’s uncertain whether Stuart is fully aware of the destabilising under current, but working beneath a factionalised board has been a persistent bugbear over the past 12 months.

Furthermore, the Eels have been operating without a permanent CEO for seven weeks.

The coaching staff have been petitioning for a football-orientated operator, something Parramatta have overlooked in three failed appointments since Fitzgerald’s demise in 2009.

Veteran Cowboys football manager Peter Parr has their support, but Fitzgerald wants his former apprentice Andrew Hill in the chair.

The outcome is being viewed as the ultimate litmus test of Fitzgerald’s influence over the board, with Sharp publicly declaring ‘The Emperor’ has no control over his chairmanship.

But Fitzgerald is working overtime to block the return of former chairman Roy Spagnolo to the board, which has two of seven seats vacant thanks to the resignations of Sid Kelly and Eric Grothe Snr.

Stuart was appointed by Spagnolo, who twelve months ago declared the former Australian and NSW Origin coach the club’s best buy since Jack Gibson.

Political infighting and roster issues have rendered Stuart’s first season a stillborn disaster.

But Canberra’s interest could prove the tonic for Stuart to revive his record in a stable environment, where he enjoys immense respect as a Raiders great.

While no offer has been tabled, it’s understood approaches have been made to Stuart on behalf of Canberra powerbrokers who regard him highly.

Should the feelers evolve into a deal, Stuart will be left in a quandary.

Leaving Parramatta with repair job barely done would leave him open to criticism from the Blue and Gold army, as well as disappointment from 2014 recruits who’ve signed with the Eels on the basis that Stuart will be coach.

But should the increasingly hostile mood at the club turn toward him, Stuart might feel he has little choice.

It’s understood the Eels would be liable for a six-month payout if they decided to part ways with Stuart prior to the conclusion of his current deal at the end of 2015.

Stuart still enjoys the support of Sharp, Issa and Serrao. But the trio have told numerous Eels insiders about their growing frustrations with Shepherd in a split that’s threatening to inflict even more pain on an already traumatised fan base.