Knights boss Phil Gardner admits the club are an "outside chance" of landing in-demand Parramatta star Dylan Brown, despite giving him "a lot of reasons" to move clubs.
The five-eighth has been linked with a move to Newcastle in recent weeks, with reports of a bumper 10-year deal on the table for the Kiwi star.
Brown has an option in his favour with the Eels for each season until 2031 and still has time up his sleeve to enact it for the 2026 season.
Speaking to media at a sponsorship announcement with McDonald Jones Homes on Tuesday, the club's chief executive opened up on their pursuit of Brown, conceding a long-term offer would be the only way to lure him to the Hunter.
"Well we have to compete with his contract with Parramatta," Gardner said.
"He's currently on a six-year contract. He's not going to come for less than that, that's for sure. My belief is that we're an outsider in this - the connection to Parramatta, they have treated him very well and his family association there.
"But we've certainly given him a lot of reasons to want to come to us and if he comes here, he gets to play with 'KP' [Kalyn Ponga], he gets to play with Fletcher Sharpe. He comes to an area where he hasn't got to be second-fiddle.
"Dylan, or someone like Dylan, is the missing piece for us .. you want those great players to come to the club, and we see Dylan Brown as a great player.
"That said, I still think we're an outside chance. We're not ruling it out ... at his age, certainly something beyond six years, is a realistic option.
"We're giving it our absolute best shot to get Dylan."
The 24-year-old has established himself as one of the game's elite halves since making his debut in blue and gold as a teenager.
Brown has gone on to play 123 games for the Eels, as well as a further eight appearances for New Zealand on the international stage.
His partnership with Mitchell Moses will hold the key for Parramatta's potential return to the finals this year under new head coach Jason Ryles.
*personally I like that even the Newcastle boss has come out publically and admitted how well we have treated Brown and his family over the years.
Replies
lol he gets to play with Ponga and a rookie Fletcher Sharpe who they are grooming to play 6. So what they are expecting Brown to play 7 lmao.
How about say he gets to play with Moses and Iongi at parra. A top tier halfback so Brown can play his natural 6 game which is when he is at his best. And a quick fullback that can ice off overlaps unlike broken down Gutho.
This is exactly it EA Parra is a better situation for DB career wise right now so when DBs agent puts it out there it's going to take 1.2 per season to move him and Newcastle and O'Sulilvan register interest as a player you have to listen you'd be mad not to.
Does DB like the challenge of running a team does he think that's what he needs to further his career I'm not sure but playing behind Moses can't be a bad thing either learning from the clear #2 half in the comp.
At some point soon DB has to end this drama and I still think Parra's the best spot for him.
It appears the knights are looking at Brown as their future 7, it would be a bad move by both parties if dylan was to take up the offer.
Is Gardner drunk? How many times do you need to see Brown play as the main playmaker to understand he's not a 7. He can't steer a side around the park.
It's Peter O'Sullivan pushing for Brown.
From O'Sullivan interview on DT.
Buzz: "How important is Dylan Brown to you?"
O’Sullivan: "If he’s serious about leaving we’d love to have him here and he’d change our footy team. If Dylan is here, we go from a top eight team to a genuine hope of winning a comp. That’s how highly I rate him. I’ve been trying to sign him since he was 17 when I worked for the Warriors. He’s a marvellous player and a marvellous kid. We’ll see what happens."
Don't disagree that DB is a natural 5/8, not a halfback, but, O'Sullivan is regarded as the best recruitment manager in the game & has built premiership rosters, him feeling they can turn DB into a halfback is interesting.
Hi Nos, Calling from Bali, only 8pm here or it would be past my bedtime..
Could not help smiling to myself when reading your post re O'Sullivan and Brown.
Crossing swords with Wiz today who is gunning for our R&R team (nothing wrong with that) but i pointed out, you can't punt them until you have someone better. The irony is that he said we missed the best recruitment manager in the game when we failed to get O'Sullivan. Given that we all know what he thinks of Brown and his character it really is interesting to see what O'Sullivan says about his ability and character......it will be interesting to see how Wiz twists this one to make his point. LOL
Great post by the way!
Hey Pops!
How is Bali? You staying out of the clubs you salty pirate?
I hope you & Karen are having a blast.
It sure is interesting Pops, the best in the business Pistol Pete O'Sullivan wants to offer Dylan Brown a 10 year contract.
Its also interesting that he's willing to spend a huge amount of cap space in the halves.
Like Bellamy, and Cleary.....It sure is interesting.
Whats funny is you can't seem to see what's unfolding rightt before your eyes . Only one bloke who has a long relationship with Orr seems to be driving Dylboobs price uo every contract when nobody else is intrested . Nothing formal seems to be offered ? Just media stories seemingly to save face for Brown .
if we remember back , Orr and Sully were close enough pals to get together for illegal discussions when Sully was at the Warriors . You've taken it hook line and sinker .
The skill sets there for DB to eventually become a 7 it just isn't there consistently at the moment.See the wording there O'Sullvan uses IF HE WANTS TO LEAVE it makes me think alot of what's being played out here is ducks and drakes no one but DB's inner circle really no what he's doing and the speculation runs rife off of it.
As mentioned though O'Sullivan is very astute when it comes to talent and is a well respected roster builder around the nrl.Parra right now can't afford to lose DB.I actually think it'll be catastrophic for us if he decides to leave.
Coryn I agree all the skills are there but you are either a player who wants to steer a team around the park or you aren't. I agree with the comparison in personality to Brett Kenny. Browns a bit laid back a bit laconic, not much of a talker. He likes to inject himself in games not constantly talk and organise. I personally think your 6 should be more of a Brown type personality. You can't have a 6 and 7 who both want to call the shots, it's been proven time and again that it doesn't work
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