Parramatta great Nathan Hindmarsh has expressed his belief that the club should consider allowing Dylan Brown to leave early, noting that such a move would be logical given the current circumstances. Brown, who has signed a lucrative 10-year contract with the Newcastle Knights worth $13 million, will continue to play for the Eels until the end of the season.
This year, the five-eighth has struggled to find his form, coinciding with Parramatta’s disappointing streak of three consecutive losses, especially in the absence of their key playmaker, Mitchell Moses. Following a recent loss to Canterbury, Hindmarsh raised questions about whether a shift in strategy is needed for the team.
Hindmarsh remarked, “Is it better to just move him on? I’m getting to that point now where it makes sense.” He highlighted Brown’s current struggles, saying, “He’s not offering much at the Eels, to be honest. We know the brilliance is there … I want to see more from him.” He acknowledged the immense pressure on Brown, not only because of his upcoming move but also due to the performance expectations that come with being a halfback.
Despite being involved in the play—recording two try assists and one dropout in the opening three rounds—Brown’s contributions have not translated into victories for Parramatta. Former NRL star James Graham expressed concern about Brown’s mindset, suggesting he appears to have “gone into his shell” since securing his high-profile deal.
Graham observed, “He just looks lost… scared to fail, scared to make a mistake.” He contrasted Brown’s hesitance with that of Nathan Cleary, lauding the latter’s confidence in embracing mistakes on the field.
As the Eels prepare for their upcoming match against the Manly Sea Eagles, the spotlight is firmly on Brown and his performance during this challenging period for both him and the club.