The blow torch has been applied to the Parramatta Eels and head coach Brad Arthur, after their embarrassing loss to an understrength Dolphins side in Darwin on Friday night.

Arthur accused his side of “giving up” and labelled them a “part-time footy side” in his post-match press conference after the 44-16 loss, which saw the Dolphins reel off eight second half tries in just 25 minutes.

The loss drops the Eels to 13th on the ladder, with three wins and four losses. Parramatta have a stiff upcoming draw, although a bye in Round 9 will be a welcome reprieve.

The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield was scathing in his assessment of the Eels on Monday’s Big Sports Breakfast radio show, believing coach Brad Arthur has to be feeling the heat.

“The bottom line is that you have to look at the enormity of that loss. The final score was 44-16 and the conceded eight tries in 25 minutes and that team the Dolphins put onto the park is way below their best side,” Rothfield said.

“The Dolphins were without Farnworth, Tom Flegler, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Felise Kaufusi but still destroyed Parramatta in that 25 minutes.

“Parramatta are running last in the NSW Cup. Their Jersey Flegg side haven’t won a game. For a club with a feeder system and that massive junior league, that is unacceptable.”

Rothfield penned a Q & A with Eels chairman Sean McElduff for Monday’s Daily Telegraph, with the veteran journalist telling the Big Sports Breakfast panel that his takeaway from the interview was McElduff’s continually blaming the Mitchell Moses injury on the Eels’ recent shortcomings.

McElduff also gave Arthur his full support amid the club’s rough trot.

Moses suffered a broken foot in the Round 4 win against Manly, and isn’t due to return until Round 11 or 12. While it’s a huge blow, other teams have been able to adjust and win games without their star players, including the Storm and Panthers.