'We love that bloke': Eels coach and captain in awe of star after family tragedy

Parramatta coach Brad Arthur and captain Clint Gutherson have expressed their admiration for Reagan Campbell-Gillard after the death of his brother last week.

Playing in his 200th match on Sunday, Campbell-Gillard was instrumental in the Eels' victory against Manly as they came back from a 14-0 deficit.

The Eels players wore black armbands to mourn the loss of Campbell-Gillard's brother. The prop's mother had died last year.

READ MORE: Manly enforcer binned for 'launching' tackle in heated clash

READ MORE: Joey, Freddy divided over Brisbane's premiership hopes

READ MORE: Western Australia secure historic feat with Shield title

After his side landed its second win of the season, Arthur emphasised the importance of playing for their star prop.

"The players turned it around, they were tough and showed a really good level of resilience," he said post-match.

"It reflected the bloke we were playing for in Reg. He's shown plenty of resilience for us over the last couple of seasons with a few things he's had not go his way off the field. It was a real tough, gritty performance.

"He's just had a tough 12 months off the field and I don't know how he does it, but he always puts his teammates first.

Watch the 2024 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.

"It's been tough with his mother and his brother and he hasn't ever shied away from his responsibility to the team. We needed to put him first today … we needed to repay him today."

Arthur was asked if there was ever a chance Campbell-Gillard wouldn't play with the coach replying "never" before Gutherson added "he would never miss it".

"He has put us first, we have built a culture where you want to come into training and it gives you a space to get away from what is going on away from footy," the Eels captain said.

"Reg is that type of guy, he would never want to let us down. The last 12 months have been pretty tough off the field for him, especially this week as well … we love that bloke and it showed today."