Dylan Brown, the star five-eighth for the Eels, is facing a potential suspension following an incident involving match referee Gerard Sutton during the team’s recent defeat to Canterbury. The collision occurred in the 26th minute as Brown was pursuing a kick, and although it went mostly unnoticed at the time and did not result in a penalty, he has since been charged with grade two contrary conduct.
Should Brown plead guilty early, he will face a one-match suspension, whereas opting to contest the charge could see him sidelined for two weeks if unsuccessful. This incident adds to the challenges for coach Jason Ryles, whose squad is currently struggling in the bottom four of the NRL ladder at the season’s midway point.
With Brown set to miss an upcoming match, Ryles may consider the promising young talent Joash Papal’i as a replacement, positioning him as a potential long-term solution for the club’s No. 6 jersey.
In the match itself, the Eels were tied 12-12 in challenging weather conditions at Accor Stadium, but the Bulldogs surged ahead in the second half, with Lachlan Galvin sealing the victory with a final try. Parramatta will enjoy a bye next week before returning to action against the Titans in Round 16.