Eels consider adding conditions to Brown’s ban
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Parramatta will consider adding further conditions to Dylan Brown’s NRL-imposed suspension for sexual touching without consent before he returns to the Eels line-up.
Brown, 22, was issued a further four-game ban and $40,000 fine (half of which is suspended) by the NRL on Monday, having already missed three games while observing the game’s no-fault stand-down policy as his case was heard.
The Eels have until the end of the week to respond to Brown’s breach notice, but are expected to accept the punishment and add more club-based conditions in the coming days.
Brown pleaded guilty to two charges of sexual touching without consent following an incident at The Golden Sheaf Hotel in Double Bay in late May. He was sentenced to an 18-month Community Correction Order after police withdrew three other charges.
It emerged in court last week Brown had consumed up to 20 alcoholic drinks.
Club sources, speaking on the condition of anonymity given the breach notice response is yet to be submitted, said Brown’s approach to alcohol will be a key focus of discussions with the young playmaker.
Parramatta star Dylan Brown leaving the Downing Centre last month.Credit: Nick Moir
An outright alcohol ban is unlikely to be proposed, rather a focus on education and training programs beyond those already imposed by the NRL.
An apology written by Brown to the victim was read out during his court case. It was followed by a statement from the Eels half in which he said he “takes full responsibility for my actions”.
Senior figures at Parramatta view the offences as a serious wake-up call for Brown. Any further potential indiscretions would put his multimillion-dollar Eels deal under scrutiny.
The club is mindful that Brown’s offence occurred while he was intoxicated and is at odds with his character when it comes to fans and charity work.
Brown also apologised to his Parramatta teammates and was especially popular with fans who attended training on Tuesday as part of an Eels members’ day, giving his boots to a family that had travelled from Newcastle for the meet-and-greet.
“The NRL’s come out with a punishment and obviously Dyl will take whatever the NRL give him,” teammate and friend Will Penisini said.
“It’s obviously disappointing not having him and he knows he let the team down. He’s apologised to us and he’s now put his head down and is working on himself every day.”
The Eels will be without Brown, Mitchell Moses, captain Clint Gutherson and Reagan Campbell-Gillard and start as outsiders against the Warriors on Saturday.
Back-rower Ryan Matterson shifts to the halves alongside Daejarn Asi, with Sean Russell replacing Gutherson at the back and dumped NSW prop Junior Paulo returning up front.
Elsewhere, the Roosters will look to bring Sam Walker (knee) and Brandon Smith (thumb) back from injury via NSW Cup while their NRL teammates have the bye. Dragons fullback Tyrell Sloan is out of Friday’s clash with the Raiders due to a calf strain and is replaced by Paul Turner.
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