Poppas Corner; Remember Dyllan Brown, he used to play for us

Watching last night, I don't believe Dyllan is anywhere the level he was attaining.

Whether it is the ACL tear (definitely lost pace) but his body language showed to me in pre and post game interviews he doesn't want to go anywhere. I think he sees Parra is home and whilst no one can complain for him taking the 13m, I wonder if he will ever be happy in the Knights wilderness.

I have always been a DB fan, but I also think we burn't him out in the last 2 seasons and confused his role in the process.

I now see DB as a 600pa player and if he maintained his original potential say 800k. i.e my implication is he has lost 25% as a player.

WE have most probably won the jackpot as I think we have seen the best of him whereas I question his future now. I would be surprised if he retains his NZ Test status when you look at the Warriors and their young half.

Watching his current game he is missing tackles, whereas previously he hardly missed a thing. He has also lost confidence in the line, doesn't know or understand his role by the rules that made him recognised in the first place.

We are very luckty and whilst it has been said repeatedly, I cannot believe how dumb the Knights are as he will never be the play maker they have signed for, O'Sullivan has a lot to answer for!

Good read, Pops.

Agree that DB doesn't look overly settled in his decision.

Also agree 100% with you that he is not, and likely wont be, a halfback. He is laid back, off the cuff, and that is fine, if you have Moses there to execute the game plan? We are seeing with Jahrome Luai in 2025 why genuine 5/8ths aren't automatic halfbacks.

DB as a player for us? 6 weeks ago, I would've agreed, but not so much in the past month, where I feel he's been one of our best with Mitch Moses back.

That has to be a massive concern for Newcastle, right? He relies heavily on his halfback, like Munster, like Luai, like Cody Walker.

Against the Fins, DB was literally involved in every attacking play - every line break, try etc. The way he created space by attacking the line & used his outside men, plus his support play was excellent, and that the player I am concerned we lose?

But no player is bigger than the club, and with the Eels defence improving & less reliance on our one cover defender of the past, im less worried defensively.

1.3m is crazy, we all agree on that, and next year he wont be able to just 'walk to the beat of his own drum', that coin brings expectation & pressure most players don't have to deal with?

Even us DB fans stood by the club in standing firm on the offer, and that hasn't changed, but who replaes him is still vital to becoming a contender again, or middle of the road, just opinion though.

Good stuff, Pops. Another good edition & merely mentioning DB on this site should increase the hits by 1million percent.

"I'm with you LB, beggars can't be choosy, he could be very handy in the right circumstances.
I don't hold petty grudges. He would start as a reserve for Reserve Grade and then we see where he fits to suit our needs. There is a few things he coud…"

"Don't know what that means?
PS I think we can do better than Galvin if we have to pay 1m. Happty to see him become a million dollar player, but he is no further advanced than some ofhis peers at 3/4 the price."

Replies

Nightmare Off-Season May 17, 2025 at 1:07pm

Good read, Pops.

Agree that DB doesn't look overly settled in his decision.

Also agree 100% with you that he is not, and likely wont be, a halfback. He is laid back, off the cuff, and that is fine, if you have Moses there to execute the game plan? We are seeing with Jahrome Luai in 2025 why genuine 5/8ths aren't automatic halfbacks.

DB as a player for us? 6 weeks ago, I would've agreed, but not so much in the past month, where I feel he's been one of our best with Mitch Moses back.

That has to be a massive concern for Newcastle, right? He relies heavily on his halfback, like Munster, like Luai, like Cody Walker.

Against the Fins, DB was literally involved in every attacking play - every line break, try etc. The way he created space by attacking the line & used his outside men, plus his support play was excellent, and that the player I am concerned we lose?

But no player is bigger than the club, and with the Eels defence improving & less reliance on our one cover defender of the past, im less worried defensively.

1.3m is crazy, we all agree on that, and next year he wont be able to just 'walk to the beat of his own drum', that coin brings expectation & pressure most players don't have to deal with?

Even us DB fans stood by the club in standing firm on the offer, and that hasn't changed, but who replaes him is still vital to becoming a contender again, or middle of the road, just opinion though.

Good stuff, Pops. Another good edition & merely mentioning DB on this site should increase the hits by 1million percent.
- Poppa > Nightmare Off-Season May 17, 2025 at 5:47pm
  
  Thanks NOS, your comments are always valuable.
Yehez May 17, 2025 at 4:34pm

He doesn't want to leave, the money was just too much.

I agree that he has lost some pace and just overall he seems to have lost some of his "X-factor". He has been burned out and been playing on a messy left edge where he's been putting out fires all over and having to lead the attack with Moses mostly injured.

It was a stupid deal by the Knights on a player they do need really.

We will move on.
CP May 17, 2025 at 4:41pm

If we get Glavin thats the final jackpot.

You see Moses on 100% footy with his sly smile when asked about him.
- Poppa > CP May 17, 2025 at 5:48pm
  
  Don't know what that means?
  
  PS I think we can do better than Galvin if we have to pay 1m. Happty to see him become a million dollar player, but he is no further advanced than some ofhis peers at 3/4 the price.

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