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

"No, Kelly wouldn't be on $650k or $700k. I would swap him with Matto, the difference in player salaries between the two would be greater towards us. We would have the difference on our cap but the swap would be player for player, we keep our top 30…"

"That's also right. Why are we paying for a recruitment team that doesn't actually recruit? All they seem to be doing is re-signing players already at the club and promoting jnrs or others from within.
Save the $300k or $400k & fuck off MON and his…"

Replies

- - - - Perpetual Motion > Randy Handlinger December 7, 2025 at 1:08pm
        
        I see a Youtube doco begging to be made.
        
        Randy Handlinger > Perpetual Motion December 7, 2025 at 1:18pm
        
        LOL. Not a bad idea PM. If I do get to it i will let you know
        
        Perpetual Motion > Randy Handlinger December 7, 2025 at 2:39pm
        
        Its definitely of cultural significance. Maybe you could get a government grant.
Offside December 5, 2025 at 2:28pm

Kelly has a great record scoring against us he will add depth and competition for spots

Simmo has a patchy injury record. Samrani should be playing backrow exclusively for cup no more centre/wing as that's not his future
- 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.

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