Another interesting read that will rear its head every year. As fans it gets very annoying when a top tier payed player gets an option each year whether to stay or go.
Surely this cant be good for Dylan either, having to address it every year. Hardly leaves the fans, the team and Dylan himself with any certainy moving forward. This will be a massive distraction that perhaps we shouldnt really have for player and fans.
Roosters are set for a ‘strange’ halves move. It could spark a play for $1m Eels star
The Roosters’ reported play for Cowboys half Chad Townsend has been labelled a “strange one” but may be a part of a greater plan to add a gun playmaker from the 2026 season.
Trent Robinson’s interest in Townsend caught many by surprise, considering the club has their halfback of the future in Sam Walker and a capable pivot of Sandon Smith waiting in the wings.
However, Luke Keary’s departure will leave a huge void in terms of experience and footy IQ, two traits that Townsend possesses.
NRL360 co-host and former Roosters five-eighth Braith Anasta wondered if the Roosters are trying to get their ducks in a row to position themselves to sign a star playmaker for 2026 and beyond.
They’re losing Luke Keary. Sam Walker is doing an amazing job, we know how he plays. He plays off the cuff and what he sees in front of him which makes he so special and why he’s playing so well.
“They do have a couple of young kids coming through, Sandon Smith of course is there as well, but they wanted a stop gap for one year.
“Whether they are just waiting for these young guns to blossom, or they have someone in mind for 2026 because they went for Shaun Johnson and he knocked them back.
“I feel like they must have someone in mind for 2026. I’m sure of it.
They would have someone in mind, they’d be searching for someone.”
Riccio then tossed up Eels star Dylan Brown as a potential option for 2026 and beyond.
Brown has one of the most unusual contracts in the NRL.
Spanning nine years, his current contract expires at the end of 2025, with player options each season until the end of 2031.
Considering the funk Parramatta find themselves in, could Brown look to head elsewhere? Technically, he’ll be able to negotiate with rival clubs from November 1.
“Dylan Brown has options galore in his contract, which is why this decision for Parramatta to appoint their head coach is never more important,” Riccio said.
“I don’t see him and Walker as a halves pairing. They’re absolute guns, but they are a similar style of player. Not saying it wouldn’t work but that’s interesting,” Anasta replied.
You never know with the Roosters, they will have their eye on someone.”
Brown is at the top of the list when it comes to playmakers that could come off contract at the end of 2025.
Replies
You never know, the Roosters could blah, blah, blah.
Baseless rumour mongering.
Exactly right, which we will be re-visting every year due to his options loaded contract. Cant believe the retention committee couldnt see this coming.
Brown, ."..top of list for playmakers..." Mr Nuttall is suitablly named.
Meh, always gonna be rumours and players moving around. If he leaves that just opens up 1 million for the club to use lol
He will do well at Sydney City, and it fits as he will be asked to play Five-Eighth. One thing i would be doing if he is to agree to decline his option and go to the Roosters, use it to our advantage to get a player in return.
This is the issue and will be the issue until 2028 when he gets to his final option where he can get out to go elsewhere with this deal. We cannot afford to lose him due to who will replace him. But this where we need to get on front foot to find that replacement whether it is a rookie or we manage to get a quality proven Five-Eighth. You could maybe even move Talagi into the 6 role and develop him and use Lomax at 1, not ideal but it is an option if he chooses to go.
Just makes the Sanders loss a bit more bitter.
Smith does not suite the roosters culture but Dylan does?
What's the go with zac lomax been hearing last night and today he's considering backing out of the deal due to the club taking to long to announce a head coach is this true or bullshit
He can't back out. He signed the contract and the club refused to put in the clause that BA had to be the coach.
Cheers these bloody journalists are hoping for this to happen
Yeah apparently it is if he had his time again he would stay at St. George Illawarra, but when asked if he can get out of it they said it is hard.
He cannot get out of the deal but at same time it could be thinking if him playing Centre might not be met and it could be. The new coach can talk to him and will talk to him.
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