Eels Blogs

Firstly, I am aware of another Blog on this site to "f###" Dylan off. In essence, I don't disagree. However, I just think there could be others way to go about it that could benefit us more.

However, we don't have to give him to Newcastle for the remainder of the season. For one, it would close to half his value this year if we did right now. Second, is it realistic to expect a decent swap that might benefit us long-term? Are there any other alternatives?

I have always supported Brown but in my mind the main criticism was about his attack and obviously the half (7) has a lot to with that coupled with the team performance.

In the past, he always more than made up for it in defence and effort . Aknowledged by even his biggest critics - he is an exceptional defensive player.

However, that high effort on effort play and defence is no longer there at the same level, and the fact that we have no attack from him either then the whole argument for his place in the team is negated.  He cannot hold his place in the side based on effort and form. He needs to be dropped at the very least.

Dylan Brown has been dissappointing when the Eels have needed him to step up (Getty)

Foxlab reveals Dylan Brown had 6 runs for 32m, 47 kick metres (to Hawkins 655m and Lussick's 86m), 17 tackles (Hawkins made 20 tackles) that came with a couple of missed tackles.

Dylan struggles to hold onto Preston (Getty Images)

Previously, I have suggested that he is burnt out - mentally.

This may seem rediculous for a soon to be 25 year old in a few months, but I have watched him and he appears to be a very jaded player. Whether he was ever going to be back where we know he can be, who knows. It would make me very nervous if I were a Newcastle supporter.

On what we have seen, I see no reason why Joash Papalii cannot play 5/8, despite his size. His energy alone, not to mention his natural attacking ability strengthens our situation, not  weakens.

We are the worst attacking team in the competition to date (scoring 32 points at an average of 10.7 points a game). We lack attacking spark, despite the best efforts of the likes of Lomax or Iongi.  Joash's defence maybe not be comparable to Dylan's but at the moment it could be on par or even better with higher levels of energy. The attitude and enthusiasm factors alone - are some reasons.

We have seen precedents where he can play for another club for the rest of the year and then resume next year with his contract at Newcastle. The club that takes him would just pay him for his residual contract (means we get something back) with us and hopefully as part of that deal we maybe able to get a swap we can use and a mutual option for that player to stay if it worked out.

People on here know better than I do, who such a switch would maybe work with, but it doesn't have to be a young player it can be someone in a Twilight stage  i.e. we got Beau Scott because he had a kid in Westmead Hospital when he was at a retirement stage...... 

The challenge to readers of this and I am thinking of the LB's and EA's who seem to know the ins and outs of every club is to come up for such an idea.

The club on the other side of the transaction i.e. getting Dylan would be taking a punt that Dylan's current form. Perhaps, he is unhappy at Parra, despite saying he never thought he'd leave and wanted to stay? If Newcastle gave us a Frizzel as a Twilight player, it would be a nice swap or the other young forwards, assuming they are better than what we have? Maybe a young winger or boom youngster frightened by Dylan coming and taking his potential.

They would want something based on there own needs for using him proactively and in turn have maybe a surplus in a another position. Recent precedent was Junior ? who played 8 games or so for Penrith when they needed injury cover. 

Perhaps, the Roosters do with a Dylan Brown for the rest of the year only and give us player we can use in turn?

This blog is just to start the ball rolling - in a brainstorming exercise.