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

"100 percent mate i still don't understand why he was allowed back in. Made out he wasn't aware lol but hes a liar. He will destroy the saints with his favourtism with his son."

Replies

- - Randy Handlinger > GM December 6, 2025 at 1:25pm
    
    Remember when TDS had to be a starter or he wouldn't have come?...good times
    - Wizardssleeves official receipts > Randy Handlinger December 7, 2025 at 2:09pm
      
      Oh yeah , and if you listen to some , we paid next to nothing for him ....... hilarious.
      - Randy Handlinger > Wizardssleeves official receipts December 7, 2025 at 2:22pm
        
        He just loves the blue'n'gold, nothing to see here
Gucci December 5, 2025 at 1:02pm

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.
- LB > Gucci December 5, 2025 at 1:21pm
  
  I am not sure he is signed to be a back-up though?
  - Gucci > LB December 5, 2025 at 2:42pm
    
    He wont be in the starting 17. I wouldnt be surprised if this is a swap with Matto as he was heading there before preseason started and there was a falling out. I can see the swap and we pay the extra for 2026. We get another back, and still keep top 30 spots open.
    - LB > Gucci December 5, 2025 at 2:44pm
      
      Yeah swap with Matto is my thought. I reckon there is a chance he would be 17.
    - The Badger > Gucci December 7, 2025 at 2:34pm
      
      Swap? Surely we are not paying Kelly $650K plus.
      
      Or are you saying swap and have even more cap space to use up somehow?
      - Gucci > The Badger December 7, 2025 at 4:55pm
        
        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 spots open.
Alfred December 5, 2025 at 1:20pm

Might get him cheap and good to experiment who suits Ryles playing style