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
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.
Experienced and physical and adds depth where there is none it's a plus signing fills needs big needs.
Back 5 is going to have to do it by committee replacing Lomax's yards game and in the air.
If Kelly can fix he's defence up, he will be a good signing. He's definitely got the attacking qualities, I think he will replace Russell at centre, Simonson has to be on the wing for the yardage carry's
I am getting strong Morgan Harper vibes with this signing.
I am not a massive Kelly fan, but he is better and more competent than Harper.
does it hurt ?
you serious
Should be a good signing. Look how much Jr has improved Russell in 12 months. Imagine if BK improves just as much over the next 12 months.
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