Parramatta have launched discussions with the Gold Coast to sign strike centre Brian Kelly for the 2026 season.
In the wake of star winger Zac Lomax’s sudden exit from the NRL club’s roster after just 12-months at the club, the Eels are aiming to restock their stretched backline and it’s Kelly who has emerged as a genuine target.
The Eels, Titans and Kelly’s management are in the process of thrashing out the financial aspect of any potential release of the 29-year-old, who is contracted in 2026 to the Gold Coast.
Kelly and his management have been informed by the Titans that the Indigenous All Stars representative won’t be re-signed beyond 2026, prompting serious thought to prolonging his career for 2026 and 2027 at the Eels.
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/eels-in-talks-with-gold-coast-titans-over-zac-lomax-replacement/news-story/2abfa2e37971b2db2b9db8d58b3e47b7?using_ew=false&using_ew_noesi=false&fbclid=IwY2xjawOfF7VleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFKc3RUTUFPeEpEZUxjN1A5c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHgPwojjIGnzFPQQ99dpzxbCykc8wzAGNZxn2mAH5aVZ2m68OCVWrn02zTSDX_aem_dfGMxwaigU4dJ8dLNjWkAg
Replies
If I'm honest I've almost given up on the club landing the elite talent mentioned especially your Tino Keon types.
Sugar coat the Galvin and Bennett chases all you like that's a telling sign when a club the size of Parra can't attract that 1st tierd guys like this available.Sure we took a swing and came up short but for me there warning signs.
In saying this I can get onboard with a Kelly type I think we are that desperate for outside back talent and experience defending on the edge anything looks better than what we are doing now.I almost find this as funny actually as I've mentioned this about 3 years ago targeting GC as they were deep depth wise in back 5 talent.Maybe now Kelly is older on the outer they'll happily release him now.Kelly's no star more so a journeyman looking for an opportunity but I think he's about what we are capable of landing and is a good fit.
Me I've said this for many a year get out of Sydney and start looking further afield.There's a shitload of talent coming through first 15 rugby in NZ and if Im struggling to recruit and with expansion upon us that's where Im targeting going all in and just continue to get the 2nd and 3rd tierd guys potentially available to us.
This rebuild is going to be a slow burn we really need to be winning in every area off the park that's even more key and like upgrading talent on the field if anyone off the field with premiership building experience we should be looking to upgrade there too.IMO recruitment is all encompassing we are looking for best in class across the board.
Coryn your sediments are fair and right. There is something missing leading us to get top talent. We get to last hurdle and fall, to consistently now. We do alright to get into last part but cannot get it done. Is it Ryles? MON? Sarantinos? Beach? The club feel itself? All of the above?
At what point were the club actually after Tino, Luke Garner or Frizell? That was just media click bait.
I'd suggest we'll never know either way it's not as though our front office have learnt from the Bennett chase.For me that was an absolute shit show of an exercise.Media are no better than fan forums outside of having these contacts it's speculative at best and we all have our moments buying into it some more than others.
First choice is easy BE your looking for a alpha to lead your pack and out of those names it's Tino A Keon B.
What I suspect and I'm hoping for is Tuivaiti and Moretti make big strides and we don't need to make such a move.Then we can supplement with guys like Jnr JDB types.It's a more efficient spend of cap and gives us an opportunity to really have a go at whatever opportunity presents itself.
Regardless whoever we recruit must have urgent athleticism.
Umm I've always said it's primarily the recruiting teams job , even when Arthur had the reigns. Yeah you have the examples where coach will pursue players , but ultimately the coach advises , maybe through existing relationships or in our case the coach losing confidence in the recruitment team , but the coach will advise the position , style and attribute of a player needed and the recruitment teams job is to find someone they think fits the bill with the money they wish to ( or in our case seemingly afford to ) chase .
otherwise why have a recruiting team ? Seems odd to have a mechanic and the driver builds the engine ....
He's no star signing but I would still choose Kelly over Russell and Simonsson
To be fair Kelly is decent and you won't be breaking the bank, well you hope not. But I see where you are coming from.
Let's be honest, we are buckleys chance of snaring a star at the moment, we are going to have to build to that.
Not a bad back up.
I don't think he would be a backup. He is a good attacking centre that can create space for players around him, he has good footwork and speed.
He is not a marquee signing but a very handy player.
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