Parramatta coach Jason Ryles has just 10 rounds of football to win over brilliant five-eighth Dylan Brown next season.
Brown was the Eels’ best player in 2031, taking over the playmaking reins when star halfback Mitchell Moses was injured.
The Kiwi-born pivot is under contract until 203, but has a unique get out clause for 2026 midway through next season if he is not happy with the new-look Eels.
“It’s really just a safety clause we put in Dylan’s contract knowing a change of coach was likely,” Brown’s manager Gavin Orr told Wide World of Sports.
“He loves Parra and has enjoyed life so far under the new coach.
“It’s been very different but it is still very early days.”
NRL CLUBS MISS OUT ON KUMULS STAR
Judah Rimbu celebrates a try against Fiji. Getty
NRL clubs have missed out on a quality hooker in Papua New Guinea star Judah Rimbu.
Rimbu had a fair year for the PNG Hunters, scoring 16 tries in 23 games, in the Queensland Cup but really came of age in the post-season.
He captained the PNG Prime Minister’s XIII against the Aussies with distinction and then made his international debut against Fiji, scoring a try.
Aussies clubs showed interest, but too late. Rimbu has signed a two-year deal with English club Castleford and flies out to the north of England soon.
CANBERRA VYING FOR ‘HULKING’ TEENAGER
Several NRL clubs headed by Canberra are showing interest in a promising middle forward from Ipswich.
Mostyn Bowen, a hulking 112 kilos and still growing, is only 18 and is a graduate of Ipswich Grammar School, a school that has proved a strong production line for both Rugby Union and Rugby League Internationals.
He played mainly union at school but his quick feet and ability to break the line has seen him make the switch to league.
The youngster will be a member of the Ipswich Jets Mal Meninga Cup squad next year but may well sign with an NRL club for 2026 before that.
FIFITA BROTHERS TO SQUARE OFF
Andrew Fifita pictured during his time playing for the Cronulla Sharks. Getty
The Fifita twins are set to be key men in the Central Coast competition in 2025.
Andrew, hero of Cronulla’s premiership win and a former Kangaroos prop, will captain-coach Woy Woy and his lookalike brother will do the same for arch-rivals Kincumber.
Rumour has it that David is set to call in the reinforcements – word around the traps is that he has sounded out former Origin and Test five-eighth Matt Moylan to lend a hand.
Former Shark and Panther Moylan left the NRL at the end of 2023, playing last season with Leigh in Super League, and at 33, his experience would be great for the young players looking to learn the finer points of the game on the Coast.