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
I think you'll find that most of our supporters are happy to keep Dylan Brown at Parramatta. And most would acknowledge that he is an outstanding player who is yet to fully reach his potential. What they object to (and rightly so) is the regretable way in which his Manager has gone about his contract negotiations. If he chooses to go elsewhere for rediculous money, then that's his choice. There's not a lot the club can do about that and yes, life would most certainly go on.
I would be devastated if we lost Brown, his best years are still ahead of him
Correct Anguillidae , correct. Old mate Ploppas trying to dramatise it all . You summed it up perfectly. It's all about the attitude and the price. Of course the flop can fill the position well, but at what cost.
You don't appear to have commented about O'Sullivan's very high opinion of him as a player and a young man?
Like I forecast you would twist it to suit your agenda, but generally a substandard effort Wiz.
Are you really giving credit to Brown as a young man ? That'll do me . Sully has runs on the board , but he's also demonstrated he's willing to use dirty tactics . Sully has an eye for young talent , but fuck me Brown a fine young man 😂😂😂😂😂😂
O'Sullivan's tits are hairy and shit, so when they met Dylboob DID NOT grope him, not even once......not even once!
I find that hard to believe, Dylan doesn't have a type , a boob is a boob.
Fair, but he also likes em reluctant. Sullivan was keen for it
Gardners always drunk
he's a leagues club baron not a footy club brain
he acts like he knows all but everyone up here knows he speaks out his arse
Browns not leaving ffs
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