Eels eye Titans' Brian Kelly as Lomax replacement

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

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  • lol, MON aiming for the stars.  I'm sure the bookies have shut down the betting on the 2026 premiership until they know more about Brian's destination. 

    • So, it is MON and Ryles has nothing to do? 

      • To some yep. If we sign Koloamatangi it will be Ryles who did it.

      • What is your take on it Wild Eels.

        Do you think Ryles is identifying talented 1st choice targets in the first place.

        Who do you think is missing the "close the deal" aspect of recruitment. 

        I have to say that if the Eels as a club don't sign Ryles 1st choice or his second choice , 3rd and 4th etc at what point do we look at why and who is lacking in the negotiation process. Surely you can see there may be a problem in this area.

        'How do we do better and actually sign Ryles first choice talent picks.

      • 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 

  • 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. 

    • He will be a starter, his not moving states to play Reggie's or back up, fair dinkum 

  • Didn't we complain that we don't have any back ups? Now we are complaining that we aren't signing plays like Xavier Coats to play in cup when simmonson goes down. Some on here are very hard to understand.

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