Eels Playmaker Under Fire After Rocky Start to the Season
Since signing a massive 10-year contract with the Newcastle Knights, Dylan Brown has struggled to make an impact, leaving Parramatta Eels fans frustrated as the team endures a disappointing 0-3 start to the season.
Without the leadership of Mitchell Moses, Brown has found it difficult to justify his staggering $13 million deal, leading to calls from supporters and former players—including Eels legend Nathan Hindmarsh—for head coach Jason Ryles to consider dropping him from the lineup.
However, premiership-winning half and NRL analyst Matty Johns has proposed a different solution for the under-fire playmaker. Speaking on Matty and Cronk, Johns suggested that shifting Brown into the No. 13 jersey could help him rediscover his form.
A Tactical Switch to Relieve Pressure?
“If I were Jason Ryles, I’d be thinking about moving him to lock, just to reset his game,” Johns explained.
“Right now, all the expectation and pressure of playing in the halves seems to be weighing him down. If he plays at 13, it allows him to just go out there and run the football, rather than overthink things.”
Johns acknowledged that signing such a lucrative contract naturally comes with added pressure, but he believes simplifying Brown’s role is key to helping him regain confidence.
“My advice to Dylan is simple: just play your natural game. Get back to being a runner rather than trying to be something you’re not.”
He also emphasized that Brown should focus on what works for him rather than trying to meet external expectations.
“Don’t start playing the kind of football you think Newcastle will need from you in a year’s time. Just focus on what you do best. The Knights signed Dylan Brown, so play like Dylan Brown. Next year, the team can adjust to whatever role they need you to fill.”
Cooper Cronk Backs the Call for Simplicity
Co-host Cooper Cronk echoed Johns’ thoughts, stating that simplifying Brown’s game is the best approach for the Eels right now.
“He needs to be playing his best football. The team is under huge pressure, and if they can get him firing, it could make all the difference.”
Will Jason Ryles Make the Switch?
Whether Ryles will consider a positional change remains uncertain, especially given the club’s lack of depth in the halves. With Mitchell Moses sidelined, the Eels would need to rely on Dean Hawkins and Ronald Volkman to steer the team, which could present its own challenges.
While a move to lock might relieve some of the burden on Brown, it could also create additional struggles for the team’s inexperienced playmakers as they attempt to find their rhythm at the top level.
For now, all eyes will be on Ryles and how he chooses to manage his struggling star as the Eels look to get their season back on track.
