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

"I don't mind this. Our outside back depth is paper thin. We need outside backs with nrl experience. Kelly has some skill. I'm sure Ryles can get the best out of him. We're not signing stars, we're signing players like Kelly, Walker, Jack Williams…"

"He's usually right center, no? So he'll compete with Will P and Simonsson for the right edge of the backs. He's a good backup. I think he played wing before too.
If he's signing to play left center then he can hack it there well enough and Russell…"

Replies

- LB > Offside December 5, 2025 at 2:53pm
  
  If it is depth, it is a great signing. If he starts on the Wing ok let's see how it goes.
  - Offside > LB December 5, 2025 at 5:59pm
    
    Won't be on the wing
    
    Will provide depth competition
    
    If Simmons goes down (likely) you have Rusty to cover wing Jelly in to centre we've had worse.
    
    Hes no tom opiac but he will do
    - LB > Offside December 5, 2025 at 7:22pm
      
      So you'd break up JAC and Russell to just move him to the Wing? It might happen but doubt since how well it worked.
Tin Tim December 5, 2025 at 2:42pm

Ryles has young players in mind, he not going to sign players that will block juniors coming through. All the babies are learning, soon to be knocking on 1st grade door.
- LB > Tin Tim December 5, 2025 at 2:53pm
  
  Not many in the backs at the moment.
- Blue Eel > Tin Tim December 5, 2025 at 2:54pm
  
  Love the optimism. Took the Panthers 10 years to cultivate their Babies to the juggernaut they have become. Not sure we can do that in 12 months.
  
  Gus started in 2011, fixing their pathways and Juniors.
GM December 5, 2025 at 3:34pm

Would be a good signing, definitely not coming as a depth option
rex macmundi December 5, 2025 at 3:41pm

It's a yay from me
Eli Stephens December 5, 2025 at 4:46pm

I've watched a few titans games, he can be suspicious defensively but is great with the ball in hand. Fast and strong centre. Good pickup
BEM December 5, 2025 at 5:16pm

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

of 6

This reply was deleted.

Eels Blogs