NRL NRL 2025 General Recruitment Thread

NZWarriors.com

Remove ads
Eels coach Ryles relaxed about Dylan Brown’s contract situation

New Parramatta coach Jason Ryles says it is his job to create an environment that convinces five-eighth Dylan Brown to stay beyond the end of this season.

Ryles celebrated his first win since taking charge of the Eels when they outgunned the Knights 44-18 in Newcastle in their opening Pre-Season Challenge hit-out on Friday.

The star of the show was New Zealand Test playmaker Brown, who drew first blood with a dummy and a dart from a scrum win 10 metres out, and later threw the final pass for a try to Eels fullback Joash Papalii to cap an impressive first half.

Brown has a long-term contract with the Eels, but it includes a get-out clause that he can potentially activate by round 10, allowing him to join a rival club next season. He has reportedly visited Newcastle for negotiations with the Knights, amid speculation they are willing to offer him $6 million for the next five seasons.

Ryles seems relaxed about the situation.

“He’s the same as any other player,” Ryles said. “What he ends up doing is up to him. My job is to create an environment for him that he doesn’t want to leave, and then we’ll work it out from there.”

Asked if he was hopeful that Brown’s negotiations would soon be resolved, Ryles replied: “I’ve got no idea. I know that by round 10 he’s going to make his decision.”

Ryles admitted he suffered a few pre-match butterflies before jumping into the hot seat for his first ride on the NRL rollercoaster.

“Before I got to the ground, I was really nervous, like when I played,” he said. “But when I got here it was fine, absolutely fine.

“Once I got around the players, it was good. It was just all part of the experience.”

Parramatta’s Dylan Brown on the attack against Newcastle. Parramatta’s Dylan Brown on the attack against Newcastle.Credit: Getty Images

He described Parramatta’s performance as “a good confidence booster for the group”, but did not even keep track of the scoreline.

“My focus is on how we play, and how individuals handle the step up … it was all about how we did things today, not so much the result,” he said.

“The result is always good, because every time we put the badge on we want to win, but it was like winning was a byproduct today.”

In contrast to Ryles, Knights coach Adam O’Brien declined a request for a post-match interview. It is probably safe to assume he wasn’t happy with what he witnessed after his troops conceded eight tries, four in each half.

Both teams were well below full strength, with Mitchell Moses, Zac Lomax, Josh Addo-Carr, Kalyn Ponga and Bradman Best among the big-name absentees.

Parramatta’s young tyros certainly made the most of their opportunity. One of the highlights was the performance of playmaker Ronald Volkman, who returned to the NRL after injury and a much-publicised contractual impasse involving the Warriors and Dragons.

Volkman, who shapes as a handy back-up to Mitchell Moses and Brown, set up a first-half try for back-rower Kelma Tuilagi with a well-timed pass.

The Knights blooded former Super Rugby forward Tyrone Thompson, who is the identical twin brother of New Zealand Test prop Leo Thompson
 
Noitall said:
Eels coach Ryles relaxed about Dylan Brown’s contract situation

New Parramatta coach Jason Ryles says it is his job to create an environment that convinces five-eighth Dylan Brown to stay beyond the end of this season.

Ryles celebrated his first win since taking charge of the Eels when they outgunned the Knights 44-18 in Newcastle in their opening Pre-Season Challenge hit-out on Friday.

The star of the show was New Zealand Test playmaker Brown, who drew first blood with a dummy and a dart from a scrum win 10 metres out, and later threw the final pass for a try to Eels fullback Joash Papalii to cap an impressive first half.

Brown has a long-term contract with the Eels, but it includes a get-out clause that he can potentially activate by round 10, allowing him to join a rival club next season. He has reportedly visited Newcastle for negotiations with the Knights, amid speculation they are willing to offer him $6 million for the next five seasons.

Ryles seems relaxed about the situation.

“He’s the same as any other player,” Ryles said. “What he ends up doing is up to him. My job is to create an environment for him that he doesn’t want to leave, and then we’ll work it out from there.”

Asked if he was hopeful that Brown’s negotiations would soon be resolved, Ryles replied: “I’ve got no idea. I know that by round 10 he’s going to make his decision.”

Ryles admitted he suffered a few pre-match butterflies before jumping into the hot seat for his first ride on the NRL rollercoaster.

“Before I got to the ground, I was really nervous, like when I played,” he said. “But when I got here it was fine, absolutely fine.

“Once I got around the players, it was good. It was just all part of the experience.”

Parramatta’s Dylan Brown on the attack against Newcastle. Parramatta’s Dylan Brown on the attack against Newcastle.Credit: Getty Images

He described Parramatta’s performance as “a good confidence booster for the group”, but did not even keep track of the scoreline.

“My focus is on how we play, and how individuals handle the step up … it was all about how we did things today, not so much the result,” he said.

“The result is always good, because every time we put the badge on we want to win, but it was like winning was a byproduct today.”

In contrast to Ryles, Knights coach Adam O’Brien declined a request for a post-match interview. It is probably safe to assume he wasn’t happy with what he witnessed after his troops conceded eight tries, four in each half.

Both teams were well below full strength, with Mitchell Moses, Zac Lomax, Josh Addo-Carr, Kalyn Ponga and Bradman Best among the big-name absentees.

Parramatta’s young tyros certainly made the most of their opportunity. One of the highlights was the performance of playmaker Ronald Volkman, who returned to the NRL after injury and a much-publicised contractual impasse involving the Warriors and Dragons.

Volkman, who shapes as a handy back-up to Mitchell Moses and Brown, set up a first-half try for back-rower Kelma Tuilagi with a well-timed pass.

The Knights blooded former Super Rugby forward Tyrone Thompson, who is the identical twin brother of New Zealand Test prop Leo Thompson
Click to expand...
How did Tyrone go?
 
Noitall said:

Anyone have a daily telegram account?
Click to expand...
Parramatta are facing a monumental $11 million fight for Dylan Brown after it emerged as many as three clubs had discussed long-term deals with his management in a bid to prise him away from the Eels.

This masthead understands that Brown’s management have discussed offers of up to 10 years for the 24-year-old, who has an option in his contract with Parramatta that needs to be exercised by Round 10.

Brown signed a long-term extension with Parramatta that carried through until the end of 2031, albeit with a series of clauses that allow him to explore the market.

His management have been doing the rounds in recent weeks to gauge interest and sources close to Brown have indicated that a number of clubs have expressed an interest in the Eels playmaker, dangling a contract carrot that would make him one of the best paid players in the game.

Newcastle has been the most public, having spoken to Brown and his management as they look to find some star power in the halves and turn the club from top-eight hopefuls into premiership contenders.

The Knights started Fletcher Sharpe and Jack Cogger in the halves at the weekend while Jackson Hastings and Tyson Gamble also spent time together. However, Newcastle have made no secret of their desire to strengthen the position as they look to ease the pressure on fullback and captain Kalyn Ponga.

Hastings is off contract at the end of the season and has been told he is free to leave if he can find another club while the Dolphins were linked with Cogger, but opted not to pursue their interest in the playmaker.

Brown would be a huge coup for Knights recruitment boss Peter O’Sullivan and coach Adam O’Brien, albeit at a bumper price tag. The Knights seem happy to pay it, although it is understood they want an indication from Brown and his management that he is open to leaving.

There had been rumours that Brown’s management was looking for a deal worth up to $1.2 million a season to leave Parramatta, which would make him one of the highest paid players in the game.

It is the sort of pay packet that would put him in the same stratosphere as Penrith superstar Nathan Cleary, Parramatta teammate Mitchell Moses, Melbourne five-eighth Cameron Munster, Gold Coast skipper Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Wests Tigers playmaker Jarome Luai and Manly gun Tom Trbojevic.

Only Ponga leaves that group in the shade, yet he is off contract at the end of 2027. Signing Brown would no doubt help the Knights convince Ponga to extend his deal.

Parramatta have thus far refused to get in a bidding war for Brown, having made it clear they are not willing to alter his current offer. It means Brown may be forced to reject one of the most lucrative deals in rugby league history if he is to stay at Parramatta.

Brown’s management were the architects of mega-deals involving Daly Cherry-Evans and Jason Taumalolo. They also had a 10-year deal on the table for Payne Haas before he switched management companies.

The three clubs in discussions for a 10-year contract for Brown have requested their identities be kept secret due to the enormous value of the deal.

An $11m bid for Brown would represent the second biggest contract in NRL history. In 2023, Titans skipper Tino Fa’asuamaleaui signed a 10-year, $12 million deal to stay at the Gold Coast worth around $1.2m a season.

Newly-minted Eels skipper Mitchell Moses recently appealed for his halves partner to remain at Parramatta in a bid to break the club’s 39-year premiership drought.

“I hope he stays,” Moses said.

“I love him, I love him to death. I feel like I play my best footy with Dylan. He knows I love playing with him, and I think everyone else in the team loves playing with him, so he knows where we all stand.

“It’s up to him, you give him as much time as he wants.”

----

Best of luck to any club that wants to pay him 11m for 10 years lol
 
tajhay said:
Parramatta are facing a monumental $11 million fight for Dylan Brown after it emerged as many as three clubs had discussed long-term deals with his management in a bid to prise him away from the Eels.

This masthead understands that Brown’s management have discussed offers of up to 10 years for the 24-year-old, who has an option in his contract with Parramatta that needs to be exercised by Round 10.

Brown signed a long-term extension with Parramatta that carried through until the end of 2031, albeit with a series of clauses that allow him to explore the market.

His management have been doing the rounds in recent weeks to gauge interest and sources close to Brown have indicated that a number of clubs have expressed an interest in the Eels playmaker, dangling a contract carrot that would make him one of the best paid players in the game.

Newcastle has been the most public, having spoken to Brown and his management as they look to find some star power in the halves and turn the club from top-eight hopefuls into premiership contenders.

The Knights started Fletcher Sharpe and Jack Cogger in the halves at the weekend while Jackson Hastings and Tyson Gamble also spent time together. However, Newcastle have made no secret of their desire to strengthen the position as they look to ease the pressure on fullback and captain Kalyn Ponga.

Hastings is off contract at the end of the season and has been told he is free to leave if he can find another club while the Dolphins were linked with Cogger, but opted not to pursue their interest in the playmaker.

Brown would be a huge coup for Knights recruitment boss Peter O’Sullivan and coach Adam O’Brien, albeit at a bumper price tag. The Knights seem happy to pay it, although it is understood they want an indication from Brown and his management that he is open to leaving.

There had been rumours that Brown’s management was looking for a deal worth up to $1.2 million a season to leave Parramatta, which would make him one of the highest paid players in the game.

It is the sort of pay packet that would put him in the same stratosphere as Penrith superstar Nathan Cleary, Parramatta teammate Mitchell Moses, Melbourne five-eighth Cameron Munster, Gold Coast skipper Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Wests Tigers playmaker Jarome Luai and Manly gun Tom Trbojevic.

Only Ponga leaves that group in the shade, yet he is off contract at the end of 2027. Signing Brown would no doubt help the Knights convince Ponga to extend his deal.

Parramatta have thus far refused to get in a bidding war for Brown, having made it clear they are not willing to alter his current offer. It means Brown may be forced to reject one of the most lucrative deals in rugby league history if he is to stay at Parramatta.

Brown’s management were the architects of mega-deals involving Daly Cherry-Evans and Jason Taumalolo. They also had a 10-year deal on the table for Payne Haas before he switched management companies.

The three clubs in discussions for a 10-year contract for Brown have requested their identities be kept secret due to the enormous value of the deal.

An $11m bid for Brown would represent the second biggest contract in NRL history. In 2023, Titans skipper Tino Fa’asuamaleaui signed a 10-year, $12 million deal to stay at the Gold Coast worth around $1.2m a season.

Newly-minted Eels skipper Mitchell Moses recently appealed for his halves partner to remain at Parramatta in a bid to break the club’s 39-year premiership drought.

“I hope he stays,” Moses said.

“I love him, I love him to death. I feel like I play my best footy with Dylan. He knows I love playing with him, and I think everyone else in the team loves playing with him, so he knows where we all stand.

“It’s up to him, you give him as much time as he wants.”

----

Best of luck to any club that wants to pay him 11m for 10 years lol
Click to expand...
What 3 clubs could you see considering this deal?
 
tajhay said:
Parramatta are facing a monumental $11 million fight for Dylan Brown after it emerged as many as three clubs had discussed long-term deals with his management in a bid to prise him away from the Eels.

This masthead understands that Brown’s management have discussed offers of up to 10 years for the 24-year-old, who has an option in his contract with Parramatta that needs to be exercised by Round 10.

Brown signed a long-term extension with Parramatta that carried through until the end of 2031, albeit with a series of clauses that allow him to explore the market.

His management have been doing the rounds in recent weeks to gauge interest and sources close to Brown have indicated that a number of clubs have expressed an interest in the Eels playmaker, dangling a contract carrot that would make him one of the best paid players in the game.

Newcastle has been the most public, having spoken to Brown and his management as they look to find some star power in the halves and turn the club from top-eight hopefuls into premiership contenders.

The Knights started Fletcher Sharpe and Jack Cogger in the halves at the weekend while Jackson Hastings and Tyson Gamble also spent time together. However, Newcastle have made no secret of their desire to strengthen the position as they look to ease the pressure on fullback and captain Kalyn Ponga.

Hastings is off contract at the end of the season and has been told he is free to leave if he can find another club while the Dolphins were linked with Cogger, but opted not to pursue their interest in the playmaker.

Brown would be a huge coup for Knights recruitment boss Peter O’Sullivan and coach Adam O’Brien, albeit at a bumper price tag. The Knights seem happy to pay it, although it is understood they want an indication from Brown and his management that he is open to leaving.

There had been rumours that Brown’s management was looking for a deal worth up to $1.2 million a season to leave Parramatta, which would make him one of the highest paid players in the game.

It is the sort of pay packet that would put him in the same stratosphere as Penrith superstar Nathan Cleary, Parramatta teammate Mitchell Moses, Melbourne five-eighth Cameron Munster, Gold Coast skipper Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Wests Tigers playmaker Jarome Luai and Manly gun Tom Trbojevic.

Only Ponga leaves that group in the shade, yet he is off contract at the end of 2027. Signing Brown would no doubt help the Knights convince Ponga to extend his deal.

Parramatta have thus far refused to get in a bidding war for Brown, having made it clear they are not willing to alter his current offer. It means Brown may be forced to reject one of the most lucrative deals in rugby league history if he is to stay at Parramatta.

Brown’s management were the architects of mega-deals involving Daly Cherry-Evans and Jason Taumalolo. They also had a 10-year deal on the table for Payne Haas before he switched management companies.

The three clubs in discussions for a 10-year contract for Brown have requested their identities be kept secret due to the enormous value of the deal.

An $11m bid for Brown would represent the second biggest contract in NRL history. In 2023, Titans skipper Tino Fa’asuamaleaui signed a 10-year, $12 million deal to stay at the Gold Coast worth around $1.2m a season.

Newly-minted Eels skipper Mitchell Moses recently appealed for his halves partner to remain at Parramatta in a bid to break the club’s 39-year premiership drought.

“I hope he stays,” Moses said.

“I love him, I love him to death. I feel like I play my best footy with Dylan. He knows I love playing with him, and I think everyone else in the team loves playing with him, so he knows where we all stand.

“It’s up to him, you give him as much time as he wants.”

----

Best of luck to any club that wants to pay him 11m for 10 years lol
Click to expand...
There is no way the warriors are that stupid to table a 10 year deal. I think those deals should be banned from the nrl. It's not in the best interest of a player or club in my opinion.
 
CWC said:
Is he marrying Tom Hazelton by any chance? Pride month too
Click to expand...

Don't tell Brian Tamaki
BangBro's (still banging) said:
There is no way the warriors are that stupid to table a 10 year deal. I think those deals should be banned from the nrl. It's not in the best interest of a player or club in my opinion.
Click to expand...

Yeah didn't the NBA bring in a 5 year max or something to protect teams from their own idiocy?

10 year terms in a contact sport are insane.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

3rdstriker
NRL Nrl Allstars 2025
4 5 6
Replies
104
Views
3K
WA Warrior
Boston Boy
  • Locked
NRL NRL 2024 General Recruitment Thread
51 52 53
Replies
1K
Views
92K
Noitall
mt.wellington
  • Sticky
NRL 2025 NRL Preseason Challenge
4 5 6
Replies
117
Views
4K
Noitall
RiceOwl
  • Sticky
NRL NRL 2025 Draw
4 5 6
Replies
113
Views
9K
Canonball
Canonball
Inruin
NRL NRL All Stars 2025
2 3
Replies
43
Views
2K
Boats n Hoes
Boats n Hoes
Back
Top Bottom