Teenage star Brown earns promotion to Eels' top squad
Adrian ProszenkoFebruary 19, 2019 — 5.44pm
Parramatta have upgraded Dylan Brown to their top squad in a further show of faith in his ability to become the club’s long-term playmaker.
The new contract is viewed as first step in ensuring Brown remains with the blue and golds beyond his current deal and comes as the NRL ramps up its probe into allegations the
Warriors contravened anti-tampering rules with a record $3 million deal for the teenage rookie.
Eels coach Brad Arthur has earmarked Brown as his five-eighth for the upcoming season, giving him the chance to make his NRL debut alongside halves partner Mitchell Moses. However, the 18-year-old was only on a development contract worth about $60,000 per annum for the 2019-20 seasons, meaning he wouldn’t have been eligible to start the year in first grade.
In demand: Parramatta playmaker Dylan Brown.CREDIT:NRL PHOTOS
Parramatta officials were keen to promote him into the top 30 and the parties have just agreed to terms on a contract upgrade. The move means the Auckland product is now free to make his NRL debut against Penrith at Panthers Stadium for the season opener.
The Eels are also keen to extend Brown’s tenure, although the NRL’s investigation into the Warriors poaching raid has stalled that process. In an indication of how highly he is regarded, the Warriors earmarked the 18-year-old as the man to replace Kiwis halfback Shaun Johnson, tabling the richest contract ever offered to a player yet to feature in a single first-grade game.
However, the contract offer - presented on Warriors letterhead and bearing the name of recruitment manager Peter O’Sullivan on the bottom - is now under scrutiny. Under the NRL's anti-tampering rules, clubs can only begin talks with players from other teams on November 1 the year before their contract expires. The Warriors claim they didn’t know Brown was contracted until 2020, an oversight that was brought to their attention after the event.
The Eels are furious about the big-money play, setting the scene for a spiteful encounter when the teams meet in round 19. The offer also points to his worth on the open market, although Parramatta will have until November 1 to strike a deal before rivals can legally pounce.
Brown showed poise beyond his years with a composed performance in last Friday’s trial against Canberra, combining well with Moses during their hour on the field.
Meanwhile, the latest attempt to bring constitutional reform to Parramatta has failed at a general meeting called by a section of the membership on Monday night.
Parramatta Leagues Club members converged on the Novotel at Parramatta for the annual general meeting, which was followed by a separate meeting to vote on a proposed motion.
There was a push to scrap the nominations committee tasked with appointing the first board, in an attempt to fastrack the right of members to again appoint directors. Eels administrator Max Donnelly cautioned that, even if the motion gained the 75 per cent of votes required, it would likely not be adopted by ILGA.
Long-serving former Eels CEO Denis Fitzgerald spoke against the motion, which had majority support but didn’t ultimately have the required numbers.
Of the 259 members who voted, 157 (60.6 per cent) voted in favour. However, the matter is likely to again go back to the members in an amended form in a bid to push through the reforms.
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