Parramatta coach Brad Arthur has made a call on the fitness of Tom Opacic, ruling the centre out of Sunday's NRL grand final with Penrith.
Opacic didn't play in the Eels' preliminary final win over North Queensland due to a hamstring injury.
He was considered an outside chance for the decider after being named in Parramatta's extended squad on Tuesday.
But the Eels coach put a line through the 28-year-old, with Bailey Simonsson set to hold onto his spot.
"Tom won't play, we wanted to give him every opportunity (to play)," Arthur said at the grand final press conference on Thursday.
"We're devastated for Tom.
"I remember the day before his debut he guaranteed the group he be would ultra reliable and he has been that for us. It is sad for Tom, but he is still part of the 22."
