NRL newcomers the Dolphins are growing increasingly confident in their chase for star Parramatta five-eighth Dylan Brown, potentially giving Wayne Bennett the dream halves partnership of the future.
The talk is the Dolphins will go in excess of $1-million-a-season to tempt the Kiwi star away from Parramatta, which is way more than the Eels are prepared to pay to keep Brown.
The other concern for the Eels is that potentially losing Mitchell Moses would also make it more temping for Brown to leave, especially on the back of the recent exit of gun dummy half Reed Mahoney to the Bulldogs.
And the growing fear is it could ultimately end up costing the 2022 NRL grand finalists it’s two biggest stars.
But for Bennett it could end up the key signing the Dolphins have been sweating on all year after copping it for all the players they have missed out on.
Bennett is not only a massive fan of the star Kiwi five-eighth, but he already has gun teenager Isaiya Katoa locked away as the Dolphins’ long-term No.7.
Katoa is widely considered the most dominant young playmaker emerging in the game, with the Penrith junior recently playing for Tonga at the World Cup.
Given Brown is still only 22, it would give the NRL’s newest franchise a massive foundation for years to come.
Meanwhile, Moses stands to pocket as much as $1.4 million-a-season to sign with Wests Tigers, which would make him the highest paid player in the game.
And while the Bulldogs won’t go that big, they are said to be willing to go to well over the reported $1m-a-season the Eels are currently prepared to pay to keep their star halfback.
The other potential factor in all this is that the Dogs are also closing in on signing Penrith centre Stephen Crichton to play fullback.
Securing Moses would complete a star-studded spine when you throw in Mahoney at hooker and Matt Burton at five-eighth.
But where that would potentially leave Parramatta is in a world of hurt.
It is understood Moses’ camp has told the Tigers and Dogs he will let them know his answer one way or another by Christmas.
And while Brown is not expected to make his final decision until closer to the start of the new season in March, the longer it drags out the more it puts Parramatta in an unenviable position
Replies
Yes that's exactly what he is saying
You think BA gives a shit about winning a comp?
He showed his hand last year by continually picking his son over much better options.
Maybe that's really the reason why we are in the position and there's a conga line out of Parra HQ.
Well then if he doesn't give fark he's gone in 24 only 2 seasons to go take breath if it goes tits up you get what to you want
Wait for the next guy and rinse wash repeat the same shite.
If some pays Moses 1.4 m good luck to them
Like I've said before , you'd have to be a real dumbcunt to choose playing your son for a season and losing your credibility as a coach forever over keeping your best players and having a career for the next 10-20 years.
Financially it's suicide. Even if BA was all about milking our club for money like what's been claimed on here , surely staying in the top 4 and getting further multi million dollar contracts is more beneficial to both him and Jake , rather than getting Jake a 50 or 100k upgrade and neither be seen again once their current agreements expire. Makes no sense.
Logic says financially Brad wants to stay winning.
You could argue BA wants to keep both Moses/DB while helping his son realise a dream but unfortunately that juggling act doesn't look likely
He wants both. He wants his son to have the NRL career he was too slow to have. Unfortunately his son is too slow as well which isn't surprising. Genetics are a pretty sure indication of potential
Wiz you are ignoring the fact a lot of parents are totally blind when it comes to their kids, JA has some ability but to BA it is probably magnified beyond reality. If JA really is a future first grade halfback why hasn't one other club tried to make a play for him?.
Thank you Wiz. BA is a dumb**** then.
I rest my case!
bingo!
Orrrr maybe he is a dumbkunt.