It’s personal, like everything’: Brown’s deal option the next signing battle for Eels
Parramatta lost the battle for Reed Mahoney and Isaiah Papali’i late last year, and the fight for Dylan Brown’s signature may be decided within months.
Eels fans are desperate for some good news on the signings front after Mahoney and Papali’i confirmed they would take their talents elsewhere in 2023. Brown taking up his player option for next year would be just the thing.
It’s a decision the star playmaker will make only after first considering the effect on his family, who he will seek advice from soon.
“It’s personal, like everything,” Brown said. “You can’t rely on the team to make you feel whether you want to stay or not. If I’m contributing, they’re going to want me to stay
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“When it gets to the time, I’ll sit down with my family and my manager and make the right decision. I’m a very independent person, I like to do things on my own accord. But, at the same time, I do like to look at other people’s opinions.
“Whether we like it or not, we all like other people’s opinions, especially my manager. He’s done a lot for me, and same with my family. My family is from New Zealand, and they moved for me. But, for example, if I said let’s go to Japan, they’ll come to Japan.”
Opinions were flying thick and fast after Mahoney (Bulldogs) and Papali’i (Tigers) announced they were heading elsewhere, and Brown concedes this is the final chance the Eels have to make the most of a talented group before reshaping their squad next season.
“It’s always in the back of your mind,” he said. “Ice [Papali’i] is new to the team [he made his club debut in round one last season], but he’s already shown what he can do already. He’s a big asset to the team. Reed’s been here for a few more years, but he’s definitely another massive asset.
“But it’s not just for them. Like you said, it’s been a few years now where we’ve been in the second game of the finals, and then we get knocked out.
“Whether or not the boys are leaving, we’re here to play for them, but also for ourselves. As a collective, it’s been frustrating, the last couple of years. It’s about time we go that extra step.”
Brown put on 2kg during the summer and is tipping the scales at 90kg, a significant change to the 83kg teenager who made his first grade debut in 2019.
Combine the extra weight with a few less off-field worries, and the star playmaker is primed to help lead his side beyond the second week of September.
“I’m not going to get into specifics, but there were off-field things,” he said. “If you’re not happy off the field, you’re not happy on the field.
After the controversial losses of Reed Mahoney and Isaiah Papali’i, Dylan Brown taking his option for the 2023 season would be just the boost Eels fans need.
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