Could the $7 million star of Parramatta be the key to rescuing their season?
Dylan Brown of Parramatta is not, in Matty Johns’ opinion, a halfback.
Nathan Hindmarsh, a legend in the club, is still waiting on Brown to fulfill a long-standing pledge to take charge of the Eels.
Additionally, Mitchell Pearce disclosed last week that he had been contacted regarding a mid-season cameo at Parramatta while Mitchell Moses recovers from a foot fracture. Pearce declined the chance and is content to be retired.
What are the thoughts of Eels supporters regarding Brown and if the star, whose lucrative contract could bring in up to $7 million, is truly the best No. 7 option for the next few months while Moses heals?
On Sunday, Parramatta travels to Canberra with Brown leading the way and third-game rookie Blaize Talagi in his five-eighth.
After the Raiders let an 18-0 lead against the Sharks last weekend, the Eels can anticipate a classic Ricky Stuart ambush.
Next week, Parramatta will play North Queensland, followed by the Dolphins in Darwin, Manly, the Broncos, and Storm. When Moses returns, which could be sometime in May or even as early as June, if they are not careful, their last hopes may be over.
Brown, who signed with the team in 2017, acknowledged that, even in his new and more significant No. 7 role, he has been “consistently inconsistent” at five-eighth in the past.
There are no more justifications, particularly for a player who is currently in his sixth season in the top division and makes roughly $900,000 a season.
After hearing the opinions of experts, Brad Arthur, the coach of the Eels, concedes that Brown is not a natural halfback but still feels that the 23-year-old is the blue and golds’ best option at this time.
Arthur claims, “He was a threat every time he ran the ball last weekend. He broke tackles, got penalties, and kicked better than I’ve ever seen him kick.”
“He could have done a better job at the end of the game when we attempted to move out of the red zone with the score tied at 16, but overall… everyone else had to step up and
We wouldn’t even be having this discussion if each of the 17 players performed their duties.
“I don’t want Dylan to believe he’s a game manager and that his running game, which poses the biggest threat, must be abandoned.
“He’s not Mitch.” I never requested that Dyl play Mitch. He completed his work on Monday. He shouldn’t alter his natural game, in my opinion.
Daejarn Asi and Ethan Sanders are two more halves options for the Eels; the Raiders are already considering the latter.
An intriguing turn of events was Pearce’s pursuit.
The 34-year-old Pearce, who last competed in the NRL in 2021, revealed to this masthead that he had been contacted by a third party to express interest in a short-term contract with the Eels. According to Fox Sports, Mitchell’s brother Stephen Moses was the third party.
Pearce agreed with Johns that Brown was not naturally organized, but he also pointed out that the Eels, like all NRL teams, could not “manufacture one if you haven’t got one there.”
Pearce claimed that only a select few halves in the modern era, including Nathan Cleary of Penrith, Moses, Daly Cherry-Evans of Manly, and New Zealand warrior Shaun Johnson, were capable of playing both the halfback and five-eighth positions.
Pearce claims that although Dylan has excellent instincts, his ability to lead the team may suffer. That being said, the club might not be ready for him to play too soon because he has far more experience than any young player.
“To play the No. 7, you have to organize and play freely, take charge of the kicking game, and think one or two plays ahead. Many of the five-eighths are merely runners, and they lack the innate ability to organize; they prefer to play eyes-up, so having to do so negatively impacts them.
Before Brown recommitted to a deal with multiple options that could see him stay in western Sydney until the end of 2031, the Raiders expressed interest in him.
Brown is considered one of the NRL’s top playmakers when he performs at his peak.
When New Zealand crushed the Kangaroos in the Pacific Championships final in November, he was outstanding for the team.
A month or so later, Arthur was watching the Eels being tested on the sand at Shelly Beach on the NSW Central Coast. He brought up that Test when the topic of Brown came up.
He believed that this is Brown’s best season to date.
Arthur remarked, “Look what he did for the Kiwis in that last Test.”
Dylan simply needs to play that way all the time. We need him on the team every week when you’re making the kind of money he is.
During the week, Brown told this masthead he was up for the challenge.
He says, “I’ve been playing okay, not great, but I’ve been consistent.”
During the week, Brown told this masthead he was up for the challenge.
He says, “I’ve been playing okay, not great, but I’ve been consistent.” “In the No. 7 [role], there is now more of an opportunity to play a more controlling game.” For me, it’s a good challenge.
“Other than that, not much will change with my game; there’s a little bit more kicking and I speak up a little bit more on the field about where the ball needs to go.
“I simply have to accept the outcome.”
During the week, Brown told this masthead he was up for the challenge.
He says, “I’ve been playing okay, not great, but I’ve been consistent.”
