https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sp...g/news-story/d148a2e31c92011cb6dcb1fe5f40b67e
Eels rookie Dylan Brown out to beat curse of Peter Sterling
Dylan Brown caught the eye of Daniel Anderson with his athleticism and desire. He won over Scott Jones with a text message.
“He went (back to New Zealand) for Christmas and sent me a really lovely text to say thanks for everything, thanks for your time,” Jones said.
“That was when he was 15 turning 16. That’s when you know you are onto something special — when a kid takes the time to send you a message when he flies out to New Zealand to say thanks for everything you have done.
“His maturity really shines through in the way he plays as well. He is a beautiful, kind-natured kid. I have never heard him say a bad word about anyone.
“He always has a smile on his face. That’s the way he gets around training.
“He was a real asset to have through school. We loved having him. Luckily I get to see him every day at Parra and have that relationship with him.”
Brown is 18 and yet to make his first-grade debut with Parramatta. That may be about to change. Brown will play in the Eels’ pre-season trial against Canberra tonight at St Mary’s, and a solid performance likely to go some way towards securing him a place in the first-grade side for their round one game against Penrith.
He will take the field shadowed by big expectations of the kind that have weighed down a succession of Parramatta halves in the 26 years since Peter Sterling sauntered into retirement.
Playmakers have come and gone. Brown may be here to stay, according to those who know him best. He turned up at Parramatta three years ago after being spotted by the Eels’ former head of football Anderson at a carnival in New Zealand. Anderson was wowed by Brown’s involvement. He chased breaks. He took on the line. He showed no fear.
He did the same when given the opportunity to join the Eels. Only 15, he left behind his family to chase a career in the NRL.
A star at high school and in the juniors, he maintained the rage last year as he stepped up to the NSW Cup — one rival club rated him the best halfback in the competition.
The Eels did their best to keep him under wraps but they were fighting a losing battle once
The Australian revealed earlier this year that the New Zealand Warriors wanted him to replace Shaun Johnson and were willing to give him a multimillion-dollar contract.
Brown has another year on his deal with the Eels and they are keen to ward off rivals by extending his existing contract. Jones, his coach at high school and in the Eels’ junior representative program, is confident Brown will remain loyal.
He is equally confident Parramatta have a star on their hands.
“The only thing that worries me is the expectation,” Jones said.
“ If there is one thing that I can compliment Dylan on it is his maturity. It doesn’t go to his head — Dylan genuinely … is grounded and level-headed.
“I was playing at Parra when Tim Smith came though and everyone said he was going to be the answer.
“Timmy is a great mate of mine but we saw how that turned out. I hope there is not that much expectation on him.
“As much as it worries me he is only an 18-year-old kid and that may weigh on his shoulders.
“But if anyone can handle it, it is Dylan Brown.’’
