Phil Gould suggests that Dylan Brown, the highly sought-after star, is likely to join the Newcastle Knights next season. However, he also cautions that the reported $13 million offer over ten years poses a significant risk for the club. At 24 years old, Brown has been contemplating his future with Parramatta and must decide on his player option by round 10.
During the off-season, Brown’s agent reached out to all NRL clubs, resulting in Newcastle emerging as a top contender for his signature. The Knights reportedly proposed a lucrative deal worth $1.3 million per season, potentially placing Brown among the highest earners in the sport. Gould believes that Brown should seize the opportunity without hesitation, stating, “If he doesn’t sign that deal, either Dylan or those around him need to be locked up.” He emphasised that with such an offer on the table, there should be no second thoughts.
Brown’s emergence in the NRL began as a teenager, and he has since played 124 first-grade games as well as eight times for New Zealand. The recent contract extension for his halves partner, Mitchell Moses, indicates to Gould that the Eels may be preparing for Brown’s exit instead. “They can’t lose both, so they have gone out and got Mitchell Moses done straight away, so it seems like they are resigned to the fact that Dylan’s going to go,” he remarked.
Should Brown sign with Newcastle, pairing him with Kalyn Ponga could create one of the most formidable attacking combinations in the NRL. However, this duo would command a substantial portion of the Knights’ salary cap. “If all the reports of what Kalyn Ponga is on at the Knights and you add this on top, they would be spending around $3 million on just two players,” Gould noted. This would represent 25% of the team’s salary cap, reflecting the hefty gamble involved.
As Brown prepares to play in Parramatta’s season opener against the Storm, he will do so without Moses, who is recovering from a foot injury. Brown’s decision looms large as it could have major implications for both his career and the future structure of the Knights.