‘I’m not going anywhere’: Eels star addresses contract speculation

Parramatta playmaker Dylan Brown has delivered the strongest statement yet about his career intentions as speculation swirls about his future, declaring: “I’m not going anywhere.”

Brown is contracted to the Eels for next season and also has an option in his favour, for 2023. Several clubs, including Canberra, have been hovering in the hope of prising Brown away from Parramatta as soon as next season should he become a free agent earlier than expected.

Brown is one of a dozen Eels either off contract or with a get-out options at the end of 2022 along with Clint Gutherson, Regan Campbell-Gillard, Reed Mahoney, Ryan Matterson, Isaiah Papali’i, Junior Paulo, Maika Sivo, Jake Arthur, Ray Stone, Tom Opacic and Oregon Kaufusi. Parramatta’s current campaign, which goes on the line in the elimination derby against Penrith, is perhaps the best chance to break a 35-year premiership drought before rivals begin circling the club’s marquee men.

Brown would have no shortage of suitors on the open market given the dearth of quality halves, but the 21-year-old has no intention of leaving.

“I’ve enjoyed my time at Parramatta, it’s home for me,” Brown told the Herald.

“I’m not going anywhere. I’m just focusing on this year and hopefully we can win the comp.

“To be honest, I’ve been very average this year.”

“I’m more someone who just likes to focus on the now, do my thing and what’s best for the team.

“Brad’s [coach Brad Arthur] obviously done a lot for my game, he helps me a lot. I’m pretty happy playing underneath him.”

By his own admission, Brown’s performances this season to date have been below par. He has scored four tries, but has set up just two, while his line-break tally is also only two.

“To be honest, I’ve been very average this year,” he said.

Dylan Brown has big plans for the future.Credit:Getty

“I feel like I’ve done a bit better towards the end of the year, but I was a bit in and out throughout the year, which I’m not that happy with.

“But we’ve got the opportunity to go the whole way in the finals and then those games don’t matter any more. It’s now that counts.”

Brown’s season has been an interrupted one. The former Australian Schoolboys star copped a three week suspension for a controversial challenge on Rooster Drew Hutchison, which has limited his playing time with halves partner Mitchell Moses.

“It comes down to confidence, I’ve always struggled with confidence,” he said.

Drew Hutchison in pain after the hit from Dylan Brown. Credit:Getty

“When the whole team is there and playing well, I know that they have trust in me to do what I do best.

“Mitch was out for a bit there, I’ve had different halves partners, and at the start of the year I was in and out of the team because of my suspension.

“It all adds up, but at the end of the day, it’s not really an excuse. It’s about me stepping up, so I’ve got to do that this week.”

Given Brown’s rapid rise – he made his NRL debut at 18 and is touted as a future Kiwis half – it comes as a surprise for him to concede he doubts himself at times.

Brown and halves partner Mitchell Moses have only had limited game time together in 2021.Credit:Getty

“It’s just me as a person,” he explained. “I’m quite chill, everyone knows I’m very chill and sometimes I’m too chill.

“Sometimes it’s not just confidence, it’s understanding the importance of a halfback’s role, staying in the game. I’m continuing to work on that.

“Hopefully, I can maintain that throughout the finals series.”

The Eels have attempted to shake things up in a bid to get Moses and Brown firing. They switched sides at the start of the year, hoping it will result in improvements offensively, defensively and with their respective kicking games. However, Brown is now back to his traditional role on the left where he hopes to make an impact in the play-offs.

“I understand the importance of being a halfback, having to be involved, especially when it comes to these finals games,” Brown said.

“For example, if you watch the Storm, if [Cameron] Munster and [Jahrome] Hughes both play well, they are going to do well. It can’t be just one or the other, it’s got to be both.

“That’s something I need to focus on this week, do what I can do to help the team. That will help us all out in the long run.

“Mitch has stepped up on the weekend [against Newcastle] and I need to be up there with him, along with the rest of the team.”

While he is yet to totally click in attack, it can’t be said that Brown shirks his workload in defence. The New Zealand product averages 28.5 tackles per game, at 96-per-cent tackle efficiency. Now the focus is to ignite his running game in the season-ending games.

“I feel that’s important now under the new rules and the game we play,” he said.

“It gets quite fast at times and it’s about taking those opportunities when they come or it could cost you a game.

“Running is a pretty massive thing. You look at Melbourne again, they are the best team in the comp and Munster and Jahrome run first. Good things happen from that.”

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