‘I WAS A BIT ALL OVER THE PLACE’
After a so-so 2021, Dylan Brown is backing himself to bounce back and electrify the Eels this year,
writes Michael Carayannis
SOME of the game’s biggest names have declared the Eels’ premiership drought will end this year but, much depends on the improvement of Dylan Brown.
The five-eighth described his last season as “very average”.
Off the field, the Parramatta five-eighth was distracted and he used the pre-season to work out why he struggled to focus on his football.
It is easy to forget as Brown heads into his fourth season he is still just 21. He has been a cornerstone of the Eels’ squad in recent years as they enter their 36th season chasing that elusive title.
“I was a bit all over the place,” Brown said. “Everyone knows I was disappointed in my season.
“A few personal things that I didn’t stay on top of, it ended up showing on the field. Having a few goals in place that keep you away from other distractions, that will help me a bit.
“I feel switched on. I felt like I’ve trained well. If you’re happy off the field, you’re happy on it.
“I have some goals on the field which include owning my role a bit more. I’ve said the same thing for the last few years but now it’s about putting it into action. I have to be more confident.
“I was a bit unsettled. I was all over the place. There were little things that were happening – there was nothing crazy, nothing at the end of the world.”
Brown took up a lucrative option – worth about $800,000 – to stay on at the Eels for at least until the end of 2023.
This year looms as a defining one, though, as he pushes for a long-term deal at the club.
His halves partner Mitchell Words for kick off goes in through in and hin hereeee hin hereeee Words for kick off goes in through in an through in and hin hereeee Words for kick off goes kick off goes in through in a Moses said their combination had improved heading into Parramatta’s round 1 clash against the Gold Coast Titans.
Only Manly’s halves pairing of Daly Cherry-Evans and Kieran Foran (193 games) have played more together at the scrumbase than Brown and Moses in the current NRL ranks.
Brown and Moses have played 48 times alongside each other ahead of premiership pairs Jahrome Hughes/Cameron Munster (45 matches) and Jarome Luai/Nathan Cleary (42 games).
“I feel like our connection is a lot better,” Moses said.
“This pre-season he has been unbelievable how fit he has come back. He is a lot more mature and has a lot more games under his belt now.
“You’re going to have those years – I have been there myself.
“He is a pretty relaxed kid. I don’t think it really affects him, that stuff.”
BETTER BY HALF
Most matches played alongside each other in the halves
● Daly Cherry-Evans/ Kieran Foran: 193 matches at Manly.
● Mitchell Moses/Dylan Brown: 48 matches at Parramatta.
● Jahrome Hughes/ Cameron Munster: 45 matches at Melbourne.
● Jarome Luai/Nathan Cleary: 42 matches at Penrith (pictured).
Rest of the NRL expected to field new-look firstchoice combinations. — with Jen Dawson and 3 others.
Replies
Hopefully the Dylan we saw last week is the one that shows up every week this year.
Beyond me how brown is on 800k but they can't offer reed 650. Gonna haunt us for very long time
Not if Brown becomes the superstar many believe he is.
We've paid massive overs to retain Dylan, which hurts our squad already. We can't afford to have guys on that kind of money when they're not at the top of their game.
He's a very expensive investment. All we can do is hope that he comes through and develops into the player we've paid him to be. if he can even marginally improve his attack this year we're a real threat to win the comp. That would be a sucessful investment.
The investment in his defence wins a lot of games for me ,he can't be a world beater in defence and attack at the same time ,go Dylan.
If Dylan doesn't live up to his price tag attack-wise, Acme will be 100% on the money.
"he can't be a world beater in defence and attack at the same time". Why not?
You're right Colin. I gotta remind myself to be patient with DB. Don't get me wrong, I'm a big fan of his and would hate to see him playing for anyone else. Very happy he's an Eel.
My biggest concern is that he will go elsewhere when he does hit his peak, which very well could be around the time of his next contract renewal. If we've paid top dollar to develop him, do we need to keep him long-term in order to get value for money?
800k, ya winning games with your ability. Dylan Browns along way off that.
Time to step up Dylan, and we heard the same speech last year.
How's it going to hurt us for a very long time when it ends next year?
Don't bring logic to a stupid fight, mate.
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