Arthur to stick with new roles for Gutherson, Norman

Parramatta Eels coach Brad Arthur insists he will continue with Corey Norman at fullback and Clint Gutherson at five-eighth after yet another heartbreaking loss for the club.

Two Norman passes could easily have resulted in tries but for desperate Broncos defence on one occasion and the ball just floating forward to Bevan French on the other in the Eels 18-10 loss to Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night.

Co-captain Gutherson said both players benefitted from their new roles.

Arthur hailed Norman's bravery after he persevered with a foot injury in a position where he made a name for himself on debut back in 2010 while playing for the Broncos.

When asked whether he would stick with the positional switch Arthur said: "I am."

"They were busy and they were in the game. I thought they were both good.

"Normie put a pass on for Tep [Tepai Moeroa] there early when Tep got held up over the line, and we dropped two over the line.

"With 15 minutes to go [Norman] probably should have come off. He was carrying a foot injury but he wanted to stay out there."

Gutherson is also happy to run with the coach's plan for him to continue at five-eighth.

"I got my hands on the ball a bit more which I liked," he said.

"I had to make a few more tackles and my body will be sore tomorrow but I liked it. It was physical and I found I could get in the game a bit more and stamp my authority.

"Norman is a footy player and will play well wherever he is but I thought he was excellent at the back. He got the ball on the full and he brought it back. He's got a silky touch and it almost paid off at the end."

The bottom-of-the-ladder Eels tried their hearts out. Michael Jennings could have scored a double on another night only for the ball to be jolted loose.

Those are the key moments on which games hang. Parramatta aren't winning them at the moment but Arthur was nonetheless proud of the effort, if not the execution.

"We wanted to see them play for each other tonight and they did," Arthur said.

"The game comes down to taking opportunities and chances and when we are down and out like we are at the moment ... we are just not nailing those opportunities.

"The Broncs had a couple of chances and nailed them, but I thought we played really well. That may sound silly but it's the truth.

"I want to see a win. That would be nice. We've just got to make sure we keep coming and don't give up, keep the right attitude ... and make it turn. We just have to hang in the fight."