Dylan Brown is overrated

[Noise]

Leo Thompson gone next year, they moved on one of the Saifiti brothers this year
I think a few off contract for 2026 as well

Brailey also gone next year.

 

[HarVeeGee]

Hastings & Brailey together were being paid about $1.4 million so that’s Dylan Brown + a minimum wage player right there.

D Saf moved on & Leo is leaving.

Kai Pearce-Paul, Will Pryce, Adam Elliott & Jack Hetherington all still off contract.

Dylan Lucas, Phoenix Crossland & Fletcher Sharpe have been given long term extensions with upgrades.

Other signings have been young prospects or pathways players moving into top 30, who are probably all on minimum wage or not a huge amount more.

There is honestly still a decent amount of space left over I reckon until they decide whether to retain a couple more guys or sign someone.

You’d imagine a cap squeeze is coming in a few years with Brown & KP on so much money, that’s true, but in the next 3-4 years there likely isn’t a single other player making $800K or over, and the players on those deals in the 5-700K range like Bradman, J Saf, Lucas etc don’t come off contract for a few years (or will retire in the cases of Gagai and Frizell). This is why they felt comfortable really going for it to get Brown.

 

[the phantom menace]

But now the Knights are stuck with him for 10 years... and Dylan ain't no Cameron Munster or (insert other talented halves that might deserve >$1mil here), that's for sure.

 

[JokerEel]

Remember when the Knights signed Pearce

 

[TheParraboy]

But now the Knights are stuck with him for 10 years... and Dylan ain't no Cameron Munster or (insert other talented halves that might deserve >$1mil here), that's for sure.

We just need to cross our arms and legs and a daily prayer to jesus for 10 years, that they don't win a premiership

 

[HarVeeGee]

But now the Knights are stuck with him for 10 years... and Dylan ain't no Cameron Munster or (insert other talented halves that might deserve >$1mil here), that's for sure.

Yeah, look, I doubt they woke up one day and thought “let’s give a somewhat inconsistent five-eighth a contract people would think twice about offering to Nathan Cleary”.

In the context of how dire the halves situation has been at Newcastle for years now though, I understand why they did it. If not Dylan the club is staring down the barrel of Cogger/Gamble failing to nail down the jersey, signing someone like Sexton or Fogarty (who I don’t think move the needle that much personally), or waiting a whole extra year in the hopes Galvin/Hughes are still available and winning one of those bidding wars.

Kalyn Ponga is a rare talent, entire clubs have gone their whole history without having a star or his calibre, and you can’t keep wasting his prime years like the Knights have been. They HAD to do something. And unfortunately, you can’t just go down to Halfbacks R Us and pick the one you want off a shelf. You can only sign who’s available.

It’s obviously an overpay, but I think he’s a very good player who still has untapped potential. I think Dylan’s style of play & running threat are going to open up so much more space for Kalyn, and also Dylan’s own attacking threat will be enhanced by the attention Kalyn draws. Whether the team will have what it takes to go all the way, well, who knows. But I think they’ll play some great footy together.

 

[the phantom menace]

I hope Dylan plays some good footy, he's always had the potential if not the consistency.

However I still feel Brown and Ponga will need someone else decent that can lead/feed them into the spaces where they their attacking play and potential combo can be effective. A decent half or dummy half, not just a Joe Average bargain basement remainder of the spine.

Maybe the Matt Arthur to Newcastle in 2026 rumours will prove true? With his Dad on standby as next coach once O'Brien's contract runs it's course (or otherwise)...

 

[Pazza]

Yeah, look, I doubt they woke up one day and thought “let’s give a somewhat inconsistent five-eighth a contract people would think twice about offering to Nathan Cleary”.

In the context of how dire the halves situation has been at Newcastle for years now though, I understand why they did it. If not Dylan the club is staring down the barrel of Cogger/Gamble failing to nail down the jersey, signing someone like Sexton or Fogarty (who I don’t think move the needle that much personally), or waiting a whole extra year in the hopes Galvin/Hughes are still available and winning one of those bidding wars.

Kalyn Ponga is a rare talent, entire clubs have gone their whole history without having a star or his calibre, and you can’t keep wasting his prime years like the Knights have been. They HAD to do something. And unfortunately, you can’t just go down to Halfbacks R Us and pick the one you want off a shelf. You can only sign who’s available.

It’s obviously an overpay, but I think he’s a very good player who still has untapped potential. I think Dylan’s style of play & running threat are going to open up so much more space for Kalyn, and also Dylan’s own attacking threat will be enhanced by the attention Kalyn draws. Whether the team will have what it takes to go all the way, well, who knows. But I think they’ll play some great footy together.

Should have offered dyl some player options

Could have kept that price down

Amatuers

 

[hineyrulz]

Should have offered dyl some player options

Could have kept that price down

Amatuers

It's what the smart clubs do mate. With 3 or 4 PO's they might of got him for under a Million???

 

[Pazza]

It's what the smart clubs do mate. With 3 or 4 PO's they might of got him for under a Million???

Easy.....

They got not idea, look at what the ponessi of the west has built in his time here...

Envy of the league

 

[Noise]

I hope Dylan plays some good footy, he's always had the potential if not the consistency.

However I still feel Brown and Ponga will need someone else decent that can lead/feed them into the spaces where they their attacking play and potential combo can be effective. A decent half or dummy half, not just a Joe Average bargain basement remainder of the spine.

Maybe the Matt Arthur to Newcastle in 2026 rumours will prove true? With his Dad on standby as next coach once O'Brien's contract runs it's course (or otherwise)...

Matt Arthur is already at Newcastle. Do you mean Jake? It would be good to get the band back together up there.

 

[Twizzle]

 

[TheParraboy]

Maybe the Matt Arthur to Newcastle in 2026 rumours will prove true? With his Dad on standby as next coach once O'Brien's contract runs it's course (or otherwise)...

Brad Arthur’s son, Matt Arthur, set for move on a three-year deal – Total Rugby League

www.totalrl.com

Matthew Arthur

The NRL profile of Matthew Arthur including career statistics, season stats, games, tries, goals, tackles and fantasy scores.

www.newcastleknights.com.au

 

[TheParraboy]

Matt Arthur is already at Newcastle. Do you mean Jake? It would be good to get the band back together up there.

Jakob to become an elite hooker ?

 

[Noise]

Jakob to become an elite hooker ?

He’s Robson mk2

 

[the phantom menace]

Matt Arthur is already at Newcastle. Do you mean Jake? It would be good to get the band back together up there.

Ah yes, I meant Jake - the halfback spawn.

Brad Arthur’s son, Matt Arthur, set for move on a three-year deal – Total Rugby League

www.totalrl.com

Matthew Arthur

The NRL profile of Matthew Arthur including career statistics, season stats, games, tries, goals, tackles and fantasy scores.

www.newcastleknights.com.au

Cool, family reunion time!

 

[Joshuatheeel]

Drown definitely tried today, he made tackles and took runs!

But I think most agree, the quality was not great compared to his contract.

He really should have been different between a loss / win today or close to it.

I reckon he is "mentally spent", exhausted by his decision where he really didn't think he was going to leave. His performances reflect it.

I think he just needs a rest, I would be giving him 2 weeks off, away from
all footy, to freshen up. I don't say this in a bad way, we all struggle mentally at times.

I reckon he would come back a different player!

 

[Timana]

Drown definitely tried today, he made tackles and took runs!

But I think most agree, the quality was not great compared to his contract.

He really should have been different between a loss / win today or close to it.

I reckon he is "mentally spent", exhausted by his decision where he really didn't think he was going to leave. His performances reflect it.

I think he just needs a rest, I would be giving him 2 weeks off, away from
all footy, to freshen up. I don't say this in a bad way, we all struggle mentally at times.

I reckon he would come back a different player!

I only remember 1 run. But i agree. When moses is back, give him a holiday though i did think he defended really well. Maybe put him in centre forcing him to run.

 

[WaznTheGreat]

Has this dude ever won a game without Moses bruh

 

[the phantom menace]

Drown definitely tried today, he made tackles and took runs!

But I think most agree, the quality was not great compared to his contract.

He really should have been different between a loss / win today or close to it.

I reckon he is "mentally spent", exhausted by his decision where he really didn't think he was going to leave. His performances reflect it.

I think he just needs a rest, I would be giving him 2 weeks off, away from
all footy, to freshen up. I don't say this in a bad way, we all struggle mentally at times.

I reckon he would come back a different player!

Yep two weeks away, only if we had someone who can come into that #6 role.

And when Brown returns, he comes back through Cup to show he can put a $990K stamp on a game - or he plays as a fullback or a ball playing #13 with Hopgood as a straight bash and barge prop (since Hoppy's ball skills from his Penrith days seem to have disappeared).