The Knights went all out to secure Dylan Brown’s signature.
Newcastle’s star fullback, Kalyn Ponga, is believed to have played a key role in persuading Brown to leave the Eels and join the Knights, with several family connections also emerging as factors in his decision. Brown shocked the NRL world on Monday when he informed his Parramatta teammates that he would be departing to sign with Newcastle in 2026.
The playmaker has inked the richest contract in NRL history—a staggering 10-year, $13 million deal. While the signing has sparked debate, with some questioning whether Brown is worth the investment, others see it as a major coup for the Knights, who have secured a top-tier playmaker for the long term.
More details have now surfaced about how Newcastle convinced Brown to make the switch. According to Code Sports, head coach Adam O’Brien reportedly showcased footage of the Knights’ training sessions at their state-of-the-art centre of excellence. He also presented a vision of how Brown would fit into the squad, highlighting his potential partnership with Ponga and young five-eighth Fletcher Sharpe. Despite having played just one game in the No. 6 jersey, Sharpe has already demonstrated his talent.
Brown was told he would operate on both sides of the field in a slightly altered halfback role, working closely with Ponga. He later joined O’Brien and several senior club officials for lunch in Newcastle. A month later, the Knights formally tabled the lucrative $13 million offer that ultimately sealed the deal. While Brown did not disclose specifics, he confirmed the meeting with O’Brien and expressed admiration for the Knights’ spine.
“It was just a private conversation. He liked my game and wanted me to push my limits—and he wanted me to do it at Newcastle,” Brown said.
“The team was a big factor. You look at their squad, and they’ve got quality players. Their style is quite similar to ours—they’re competitors. With Kalyn Ponga at the back and Fletcher Sharpe in the mix, they have a lot of potential.”
It turns out Brown has deeper ties to Newcastle than initially thought. O’Brien is a close friend of Brown’s former coach, Brad Arthur, having worked together in Melbourne, where they formed a strong bond—so much so that O’Brien is the godfather of Arthur’s daughter. Brown shared a close relationship with Arthur, and Parramatta’s decision to part ways with the coach last year was a setback for the young playmaker.
Adding to the intrigue, Newcastle recently signed Arthur’s son, Matt Arthur, a promising dummy-half who came through the Eels’ junior system. He is expected to play a significant role for the Knights in the future.
Brown Dismisses Money as Primary Motivation
The timing of Brown’s decision has sparked discussion, especially with the Eels having just suffered a season-opening loss to the Melbourne Storm. Facing the media at training on Wednesday, Brown rejected claims that money was the main driver behind his move.
“Everyone has their own opinion. I just play my best, and the offers come in—I’d be silly not to consider them,” he said. “Money has never really been a priority for me; it’s the security of a 10-year deal. My previous contract with Parramatta was also 10 years, purely for long-term stability. This decision was about my family and my future in the game.”
However, he acknowledged that the financial aspect couldn’t be ignored. “It’s a lot of money, no doubt about it. But as I said, it wasn’t the money pulling me away—it was the security,” Brown added when pressed by reporters.
“I was already on a solid deal at Parramatta, and leaving was never my initial plan. We had discussions, and they put forward their best offer. But ultimately, what Newcastle offered was too good to refuse—it’s a life-changing amount of money, and it sets my family up for the future.”
