The Official Club Announcement
The Parramatta Eels are pleased to announce the signing of experienced NRL outside back Brian Kelly on a two-year deal, securing his services until the end of the 2027 NRL season.
Kelly brings a wealth of experience to Parramatta, having played 190 NRL games across his career. A talented ball-runner, the versatile back adds valuable depth and strike to the Eels’ backline.
Parramatta Eels General Manager of Football Mark O’Neill welcomed Kelly to the club.
“We had an opportunity to strengthen our outside backs which was a positional area of need, and Brian certainly fits that need very well for us.
Jason and the coaching staff are looking forward to working with Brian who adds a greater attacking dimension to our game.
With nearly 200 NRL games to his name, Brian’s experience will be an added benefit the broader squad,” added O’Neill.
Kelly has proudly worn the jerseys of Country NSW, the Prime Minister’s XIII, and the Indigenous All Stars. A proud Aboriginal Bundjalung man, Kelly has also made a meaningful impact beyond football. He has been actively involved in programs that support and mentor Indigenous youth, helping to foster personal growth, cultural pride, and community empowerment.
Replies
I think he will be alright come cheap. Might improve if his outside the Fox. Good temporary signing till the other Penensi is ready his been injured lots Richard
Fk both penisinis off the last of the BA Staines on the club , Richard won't see first grade at Parra nor talataina nor Papal'ii
Few on here were talking these players up? What's happened?
Think people have caught onto the TCT curse 😂😂😂.
Any player they rate, we need to release.
Frank next you will say Matt Arthur is not the best talent the club has produced in the last few decades like TCT said.
PS, i kid as i actually do not mind TCT podcast and reports.
Papali'i has already. Though get that feeling on Richie. His chance was 2024. Had he not torn his ACL, Barrett would have given him a debut over the likes of Tago and Mulitalo. I feel Ryles doesn't rate him. I know it is not a great indicator but not once was Richie named in the 22 for NRL. Loizou even got a look in.
I hope he comes through, but Samrani looks to be the main replacement before Kelly signed, as he was training on the Wing, i would even say Nanva has jumped Richie.
Alfred, the other Penisini has proven nothing as yet (other than being injury prone). Kelly has played nearly 200 NRL games, how many do you think young Penisini will get to play. I am all for optimism but you say it like a "Fait Accomplai" are you really thinking about this because you do not know whether Kelly will play the same side as JAC....how many centres do you expect JAC to cover for?
Final point, he has signed for 2 years, how do you classify this as a temporay signing?
good solid player, don't mind this will be good for us and fits our style of play
Well done. We needed talented, NRL-ready outside backs to fit Ryles’ profile, and he was likely at the top of the available market in a tricky landscape.
He's not Lomax. Who has Lomax’s rare bullish strength, tank-like yardage carries, or the occasional big whack (which I loved and all are prefect for wrestling and maybe cricket's big bash)? But he brings evasiveness and at least as much experience and footy nous, if not more.
As much as I love Lomax, he was quite often caught in no-man’s-land defensively, so I’m not convinced we’re losing as much in that area as some suggest. Time will tell.
Importantly, he seems focused on the Eels and happy here. Hopefully, he stays healthy and turns out to be another astute signing like most in the Ryles era to date.
I've always liked Kelly as an attacking player even when he was at manly, hopefully his defence won't offset that too much.
-
3
-
4
-
5
-
6
-
7
of 7 Next