Source :- THE AGE NEWS
“Consistently inconsistent” was Dylan Brown’s self-aware description of his performances for Parramatta almost a year ago.
The “type of ‘franchise player’ [that doesn’t] come on the market very often”, was the line his management sent to 16 rival NRL clubs on Wednesday, seeking expressions of interest in the Eels star for 2026.
The two don’t marry. Not when Brown’s 2024 form fluctuated once more after that particular self-assessment. But with the market calling and clubs willing to pay for potential, will it matter?
The form of a ‘franchise’ man?
Parramatta have long seen Brown as an “Eel for life”.
Hence, what could still be the longest deal in club history – drafted on a whiteboard by his managers Chris and Gavin Orr one week late in 2022, and agreed to by Parramatta the next.
Dylan Brown: Is he a truly elite playmaker yet?Credit: Getty Images
In all, Brown’s complex contract could earn him as much as $7 million if he sees it through to 2031, but contains the player options that have made him a free agent now and potentially in 2028.
A salary of more than $900,000 puts Brown into the elite category of NRL five-eighths. His raw playing numbers stack up well enough alongside Queensland Origin stars Cameron Munster and Tom Dearden, and NSW No.6 Jarome Luai.
During the past 18 months though, Brown’s ability to influence a contest has not matched the above trio, or Canterbury’s Matt Burton.
Brown’s strength is his running game, but like most of his Parramatta teammates, his form has dipped since the 2022 grand final.
The Kiwi international is now breaking the line half as often as that stellar season in 2022, though it must be said his start to 2023 made him one of the most dangerous ball runners in the NRL.
A seven-game suspension for groping a woman at a pub in Sydney’s east then stalled his and Parramatta’s seasons.
Then 2024 played out just as frustratingly when injury and Origin limited halves partner Mitchell Moses to just eight games.
Almost every club except Penrith (with Luai growing another leg in Cleary’s absence) would struggle without a marquee half, and Brown’s battle for consistency continued when he took the No.7 jersey and then switched back to five-eighth as a losing run resulted in Brad Arthur’s exit as coach.
Brown has always been a pivot and left the bulk of the game management to Moses. He struggled to change that view in his halfback’s absence, albeit behind a misfiring forward pack.
Supply, demand and the state of the market
The upside for Brown, and why his management is openly testing the waters, is his undoubted talent and what could yet prove a sound play-making bedrock.
Rarely does a 24-year-old playmaker come along with 123 NRL games under his belt, as well as grand final and Test experience.
The email from Brown’s management to rival clubs was always going to become public and may well hasten bids that were already going to come.
Dylan Brown has played eight Tests for New Zealand.Credit: Getty Images
Parramatta want the matter sorted out before Jason Ryles’ first season begins. It is also in Brown’s interest to explore rival options while there’s still spare cash in 2026 salary caps.
Even pushing through the $1 million mark per season, Brown is an attractive option for clubs with genuine halves in short supply.
The Warriors have an estimated extra $500,000 from Tohu Harris’ injury-enforced retirement, which follows on from Shaun Johnson’s farewell last year.
“Franchise player” is perhaps most apt across the ditch, given Brown is one of the most recognisable Kiwis in the game.
Shaun Johnson’s retirement has left several halves vying to replace him at the Warriors.Credit: Getty Images
The Warriors pursued Brown – who moved to Australia as part of the Eels system aged 16, with a $3 million offer in his first NRL season that prompted an NRL investigation – and have denied regular rumours of chasing him since.
Along with the Dolphins, where Isaiya Katoa is viewed as the long-term No.7, they have the cap space and scrum base uncertainty to go after Brown.
Newcastle have halves coming out their ears in Jackson Hastings, Tyson Gamble, Jack Cogger, Phoenix Crossland and Will Pryce, but Brown is in another class.
The Knights have been adjusting an off-kilter salary cap by moving on Jacob Saifiti and allowing Jayden Brailey and Jack Hetherington to test the market. Now that Leo Thompson has knocked back a lucrative $3.3 million extension offer and will become a Bulldog in 2026, a marquee recruit is in their realm once more.
The Roosters, as always with the biggest fish, are being regarded warily by the rest of the NRL. A slew of senior departures have left plenty of cap space free, with Luke Keary’s exit leaving Sandon Smith and Chad Townsend as first-choice halves while Sam Walker is out injured.
Then of course, there’s Parramatta.
In lieu of ratchet clauses, Brown’s contract allows for renegotiation each time his player option is up for the taking, including taking the 2028 player option out. Which is why they still hold high hopes for their franchise man.
