Parramatta playmaker Dylan Brown has been identified as one of Melbourne’s five-eighth options should Cameron Munster decide to quit the Victorian club at the end of 2023.
Brown has the chance to keep himself at the front of the NRL shop window in the semi-final clash against Canberra on Friday night after producing what he rated a “four out of 10” against Penrith.
He will go head to head with Canberra playmaker Jack Wighton, who coach Ricky Stuart rated in even better form than in his irresistible 2019 season, when he made his Origin debut and won the Clive Churchill Medal.
The 22-year-old Brown is contracted to the Eels for next year, but free to negotiate with rivals from November 1. He told the Herald earlier this year he would hold off making any call about his future until after the World Cup in the hope a starring role for New Zealand would only enhance his value.
Sources with knowledge of the Munster situation told the Herald the Storm expected a decision on his future for 2024 in the next fortnight.
The club need to start making contingency plans should Munster not accept their revised $1m-a-year offer, which is still around $300,000 short of what he could earn at NRL start-up franchise the Dolphins.
Man in demand: Parramatta’s Dylan BrownCredit:Getty
Brown is young and athletic and would be an ideal fit at Melbourne alongside fellow Kiwi and halfback Jahrome Hughes.
Even if Munster decides to leave, the Storm would not necessarily use the money to pursue another No. 6, and could opt to develop young gun Jonah Pezet while targeting some experienced forwards.
Parramatta have the money to retain Brown and halfback Mitchell Moses, who has an option in his favour for 2024 and will definitely play against Canberra at CommBank Stadium after overcoming a concussion picked up against Penrith.
When the Herald asked Brown this week about the Storm link, he quipped: “Melbourne? There are no beaches there, mate.
Eels five-eighth Dylan Brown was disappointed with his performance last Friday against Penrith.Credit:Getty
“I have no clue what I want to do, to be honest. I don’t think about my contract until I’m asked. We’ll see.”
Brown was also linked to the Raiders around this time last year, but again smiled and said: “I’ll have to message Ricky and ask him. It’s a bit cold down there.”
Brown was outstanding in the Eels’ win over Canberra midway through the season, but bitterly disappointed with what he produced against the premiers last Friday, when the responsibility of guiding the side fell squarely on his shoulders after Moses’ exit.
The Eels are desperate to keep their title hopes alive and avoid dropping an eighth NRL final from their past ten September cameos.
“I played last week and did absolutely nothing,” Brown said. “Our spine weren’t heavily involved against Penrith and theirs was. We shied away from the game. I didn’t take my opportunities when I could.
Canberra celebrate their shock week-one finals win at AAMI Park.Credit:Graham Denholm/Getty Images
“I was below average. And if five is average, I was a four. It wasn’t that I did anything wrong, I just didn’t do enough. And as a five-eighth in a finals series, you need to create for your team. I’m lucky we get another chance.”
The return of Moses is huge boost for the Eels who are looking to avoid another week-two exit. He followed the concussion protocols and completed Wednesday night’s captain’s run.
Brown said the Eels tried to play “too pretty” against the Raiders when they last met in the nation’s capital, and they needed to be more disciplined if they wanted to advance to next Friday’s preliminary final in Townsville.
The Green Machine have cranked into top gear and won eight of their last nine games, including the qualification-final boilover against the Storm. They play a no-nonsense and physical brand of football that will rile up the 30,000-strong sea of blue and gold ready to jeer them in Sydney’s western suburbs.
It is no fluke Canberra have performed well since new halfback Jamal Fogarty returned from a knee injury, which had more importantly allowed Wighton to re-discover his best.
The Titans have struggled since Fogarty was cut loose at the end of last season.
“Jamal has a wonderful kicking game, he’s a high-percentage goal-kicker, and he’s taken a lot of pressure off Jack,” Stuart told the Herald on Thursday.
“He’s helped Jack’s game immensely. I actually believe Jack is in better form than he was in 2019 when he won all the awards.
“Jack and Jamal’s off-field relationship has also helped their on-field football. Their families have become close, their kids are similar ages, and it’s only helped the club.
“What has also helped us is having our players who touch the ball the most play some consistent football together.”
Stream the NRL Premiership 2022 live and free on 9Now.
