From The Stands has been a feature of The Cumberland Throw since 2018. That makes this year the eighth season of my column and my opinions.
In all of those years, I don’t think I’ve submitted a column like this one. Like always, it is from a personal perspective, but unlike any previous year, I write this because I feel let down by the club.
Let me explain why.
Last Sunday, Jason Ryles declared that his selection policy moving forward will be based on “the future is now”. It began unofficially with the suspension of Dylan Brown prior to the Dragons game, was put into effect with his move to hooker for the Panthers match, and is now entrenched given Brown’s selection on the reserve list for the clash with Canberra.
My family and I attended both of those two rounds against the Dragons and Panthers and watched as silly errors, ill-discipline and poor decision making cost any chance of victory. I fear we will witness more of the same with the stated selection philosophy.
I can genuinely see both sides of any debate around the “future is now”. The club is in a tough position with the roster continuing to be re-shaped and the weekly battle of unavailable players taking its toll.
Furthermore, I don’t intend my opinion to be interpreted as having a shot at the coach or the club. However, with those provisos declared I find myself strongly disagreeing with this current course of action.
Jason Ryles has a valid perspective in the need to keep an eye on next year. After all, Dylan Brown has made the decision to move on and we need to find a replacement. All of this is indisputable.
But Ryles also said from the outset that he wanted greater connection between the players and the community, especially the fans. For the most part he and the players have succeeded in this endeavour with the visible buy in of players, the open training sessions and the improved post match interactions.
All that said, I personally feel disrespected as a supporter and member by the “future is now” selection policy.
In my opinion Dylan Brown remains in the top 17 players in the club, and he is still the best five-eighth. That should make his selection each week a given, especially if the plan is (as it should be) to have the best possible opportunity to win games.
The veteran and the rookie – Junior and Joash
There is no criticism of Joash Papalii intended in my take. The rising star is a talent and based on the likely roster, should be the five-eighth of choice in 2026. A place should probably also be found for him somewhere in the top 17 right now.
However, Joash shouldn’t be judged, or be expected to be, a better player than Brown at this stage of his career. There will be some Brown haters disagreeing with my take, but it’s just common sense.
There is logic in a coaching perspective that is entirely based with a view to the future. Indeed, Ryles is being praised by commentators and journalists, but they aren’t Eels fans.
The point is, Parra fans watching every week, especially Members and season ticket holders, are paying for the “now”, not the future. If the best possible “now” team is not selected, is that a fair return for their coin, their support?
I’d say it isn’t, and I don’t like any messaging that would suggest that the “now” doesn’t matter compared to the future.
Every fan understands planning for the future. They also understand having realistic expectations when a club is rebuilding. But should they be expected to accept not fielding the best possible team?
If we include last Sunday, the “future is now” selection philosophy will impact five home games, or 45% of all home games that members pay in advance to attend. Parra has a huge paid membership base. I know families who spend over $3000 on family season tickets. They pay that money to be able to attend 11 home games.
Members signed up for this year knowing that it was probably going to be a rebuilding year. They expected to see new players emerging, and that has been exciting. But they did not sign up to pay big dollars to watch what can now be classified as five trial matches for next season.
Yes, trial matches.
After all, when you are openly not picking your best team because you are preparing for the following season, it might as well be called a trial match.
I don’t expect all members to agree with me, but I’m certain that I won’t be alone in my thinking.
My opinion is true for me as a supporter who holds family ticketed membership and as someone who makes a five hour round trip to watch every home game. There are many others who make long pilgrimages every week to cheer on their Eels.
Do we just forget the key component of our membership, the games themselves, but keep paying those monthly instalments? Or in my case, should I get in my car and be satisfied to drive the five hours to watch a team where I know, and indeed am told, that the best players available won’t necessarily be selected?
Dylan Brown no longer part of the 17!
This leads me to question my willingness to commit my family’s money to full season ticketed membership in 2026.
What happens next year if we find ourselves out of contention with a significant number of home games left- do we again turn them into trial matches?
As I stated, I understand the rationale behind the “longer game” philosophy. I also know through my professional experience that sometimes even the ‘right’ decision for one part of an organisation has negative consequences for other sections.
Speaking only for my family and myself I feel let down.
I feel that our loyalty and commitment is being taken for granted. For the first time in many years I question my willingness to sign up for membership in 2026.
We never sign up expecting premiership success, though there is always hope that it will happen one year. My family attended every home game in the wooden spoon season of 2018. The frequency of losses didn’t impact our support. But having home games treated as nothing more than trials will.
I hope any positive long term outcomes will outweigh the short term negatives, and therein lies the next concern. There are no guarantees about that. What should always be guaranteed is that the best possible 17 take their place for every first grade game where the jersey and the badge is worn.
Let me conclude by stating that I respect any opposing views on this, including the stance of the coaches. But at the same time I also expect that my opinion as a ticketed Member will be valued and respected by the club.
Shelley
This is a very interesting post for many reasons. I feel just as strongly about this but in the opposite direction. This is exactly what I was hoping for even before it happened last week. I would hate to get to round one next year and starting new with Joash at 5/8 and having to give him time to get used to it. Playing the final 8 games this year in first grade at 5/8 then into preseason training at 5/8 is the best possible option in my opinion. Dylan form isn’t standing out any way so there is not much up side in him playing out the rest of the year in first grade for Parra. I thought the club was stupid to continue to play Blaize last year when he signed elsewhere.
My family and I are also paying season ticket holders, so is the club disrespecting you while honouring my wishes ?? I certainly don’t think so. Over the years the club hasn’t always picked players who I who have chosen, does that mean they are disrespecting me? If BA took this approach he would have kept Cory Norman instead of releasing him and going with Dylan Brown, right ? Norman was certainly a better player than a rookie Dylan Brown. Was Gutho who was contracted for this year not a better player than a rookie Iongi?
I’m of the opinion the coach does whatever he thinks is best for the team and club regardless of the fans opinion because we all have different opinion on certain players.
I understand and certainly respect your opinion but I just have a different view.
Couldn’t agree with this more. Same with Ryles not playing the likes of Matterson and Cartwright at the start of the year in favour of guys like Tuivati and Kautoga. Rookies need reps, so while Brown is playing arguably his least effective football and Joash is looking like the future at 6, give him the reps now and take the risk while top 8 is unreachable. Means he can get experience and make mistakes now without much risk of longer term consequences next year. Also watching from the stands most weeks, Joash’s limited time at 6 has shown more danger in attack than Brown’s this year. Ryles has made a lot of big calls and risks and gotten almost all of them right so far, definitely think we as a fanbase need to be 100% in on his plans and back him.
Agreed with a lot of this however disagree with the Blaize comment. I can understand the club not burning bridges with him as he signed a shorter deal with the Panthers while we have Ryda signed up as well as the younger sister it’s good to have the option for him to come back.
With Dyl the Knights deal is so lucrative and long that he’s not coming back, unless the Knights are paying a good chunk of the bill. He seems to be quite fond of the club and don’t think he would hold grudges if he finishes the year in NSW cup.
I doubt very much Ryles is treating the rest of the season as trial games. Yes, Brown should be regarded as a top 17 player, but given multiple opportunities he just hasn’t delivered. Joash, his replacement, still has a lot to learn, but I feel he is playing more towards where Ryles wants our 5/8 to play, hence why he is getting the nod over Brown. The last thing we want is a scenario like many past Australian cricket teams and indeed many NSW Origin teams, where players are selected on past reputation. Ryles has made it very clear that every player needs to earn his spot each week.
For fans, this is an opportunity to see our team play more expansive football. The offloading we saw last weekend is evident of that, and obviously that will continue to develop. Unfortunately as a result of many past unresolved issues, this season was always going to be one of development. We are nowhere near the finished product, but let’s get behind our team and enjoy the development ride.
I totally agree here Longfin; Ryles said back in pre-season all spots are open or words to this effect.
Totally disagree re Brown. On paper yes, Brown is a top 17 player, even a top 3 player in our team but, games aren’t won on paper, ask Laurie Daley and the NSW squad. This year was a write off from the beginning, injuries, suspensions, it hasn’t ceased all season. The team keeps building up to something, even players start building up to something, Moretti, was starting to become a regular 1st grader, then bang, his out. Same with Penisini, Smith, Kelma, Tuivati, Simmonson and now Kautoga. These players were starting to hit their peak, then injuries and suspensions cruelled them. Just listening to the commentators last weekend, they said we have used 33 players already this year, plus 13 debutantes, unless you’ve played the game you don’t realise how much pressure that puts on the rest of the regular 1st graders, not to mention the replacements. JR should never be criticised for what he has and what he’s trying to achieve.
Yeah agreed on the injuries cruelling our season. As an example, Russell started the season as a back-up outside back, but has played just about every game. These injuries are something the club needs to investigate. Is there something about them that could potentially be avoided, or are we just having really rotten luck – for the past 4-5 years? That would make a really good thesis topic for a Physio student!
Shelley,
Your argument is clearly stated and rational. I disagree.
It’s obvious that we are not going to win this year’s comp,
attention turns to 2026. I sure the boys will be striving to win every game. Cards on the table, I’m not convinced that our winning chances are much harmed by Dylan’s absence. He is a very good defensive player but has never become the dominant half we thought we were developing. Every lesson Joash learns this year will give him a stronger start to 2026, and experience matters – just look at the amazing development of Gideon this year.
I’d like to see the experimentation go a bit further – a prolonged fun for Toni, a looks at Hawkins at 14 and 6
This is a fantastic article, well written and very passionate. Thank you. I enjoy reading all your posts. Your devotion to the Eels is respected and shared!
I will respectfully declare that I feel differently, however, re: this post.
Dylan Brown signed here long-long-term. He also declared that the money Newcastle offered was too substantial for him and his agent to ignore and they pulled the trigger on that horrible clause – a clause that proved that a long term contract was one that could be flushed down the drain, at the player’s favour not the club. The fans lived with that spectre in the background, and it sadly came to haunt us all.
The heart-break of Dylan Brown, an absolute GUN on his day, saying bye to the Eels earlier this year was a bit too much for me. I was shattered.
But what was even MORE heart-breaking was watching him play such uninspired footie, game after game, when our team demanded a GUN senior member of the spine lead by example. You know, a little bit of Gutherson style will-to-win and application on the field.
So, I welcome Joash to the hot seat this round. I will be screaming encouragement at him. As I did for Dylan previously.
I will scream my throat hoarse for every Eels player.
As long as we have 17 that really want to be there
I mean at some point you’re going to have to see what players you have to take over from Dylan. Do you do that now with the 8 out of reach or next year? If Ryles did it next year would he be using those games/the year as a trial game??
Plenty of first graders missed out on spots in the opening rounds. They were trial games??
Your idea about wanting to win games every week is 100% but I’m not sure wasting development to win two or three more games is the smart move. Finishing 13th or finishing last is still a failure. I’m also certain the club is still turning up to win games every week.
I’m a season ticket holder and live in the hunter valley often driving down for games. I’d love to see them win more games but I’m 33 and I’ve never seen them win a comp. If the coach thinks this is the right move to get us that comp then I’ll back him.
A couple more meaningless games aren’t going to make me feel better if I know we won with guys who aren’t going to be here next year anyway. I’ve seen too many years of it.
Thought provoking and reasoned piece Shelley, in the same realm as Higgs v Fearnley in the half time sheds after Gary Cook (who worked for our opponent’s major sponsor) allowed free rein to St George (Reddy and Stone in particular) in thuggery. Ignore or retaliate?
A thing that nags at me is what I saw in the first half on Sunday suggested that we could play at a winning level but the mental aspect was out of synch, we lacked strong leadership and Dylan Brown does not fix that. If Ryles is rolling the dice on change, the critical aspect he lacks is on field leadership, and the football gods have banished that to the sideline. Our mental application gradually morphed into physical decline right in front of our eyes, not at all helped by some glaring errors from the officials. Perhaps with Moses on the park the fans get a much better deal and I can’t help but think about what happened at the start of the year, fate decreed that the fans have not gotten full value all season and something had to be done.
Well thought out Shelley, and most fans see virtue on both sides of the argument. Buzz wrote a column talking about out pressure on coaches, and said will Ryles become a target for the sack, my question is why should that happen when the CEO and HOF have missed sign8ng opportunities across so many seasons in strengthening the roster.
Now we seemingly have cap room and places to fill, but as usual have been slow to get started and only signed players unhappy at their club, who ifany were the elite ones we targeted , chased and were successful in signing. The option debacle set the signings back as we waited for a decision on Dylbro, been a bit of a mess since the 7 left in GF year.
Underwhelming replacements and a weakening and expensive roster, with older players signed long term, a recipe for the issues we currently have. In all of this, seemingly the hierarchy at the club saw no criticism of the R&R team. Until they are successful and sign elite rather than other teams reserve grade players ,then it will be difficult to charge up the ladder. Brian Smith seems so long ago now.
I agree with Jason Ryles decision, for simple fact Brown decided to go to Newcastle, nothing against Dylan going to Newcastle but we’re not playing finals, you might as well prepare for next season now, give Joash a chance to develop early in his career, I also impress with Mathew Hunter who is playing well in Cup.
We have won 5 games with Brown in the halves and last year he helped us to the bottom 2, so a big yes from me to let him not play again this year and look to find our five eight options for next year.
On his current form he is not even close to us winning or losing games.
What benefit to the clubs future are we getting in continually running Dylan out for the rest of the year with really no chance of making the finals. Jason ryles is in no way treating these games as a trial. His giving his future 6 an opportunity to build some minutes in the position so he can go into next year hitting the ground running.
If Dylan was to play out the rest of the year and we win half our games it would sit us in around 12th but I honestly can’t sit here and say I could see that happening his currently 4 from 15. Him being in the team now is just a wasted oppurtunity to have a look at our future we need to look big picture.
I actually fear for how Dylan’s time at Newcastle goes for him it’s one of the most I irresponsible contracts ever awarded to a player in the history of the game. All I can say is goodluck
Shelley,
Well written and thought out position. Its stinks when your team isn’t playing to win now.
But lets face it, if Dylan Brown plays against Canberra, in Canberra on the weekend are the Eels winning? probably not.
I understand your beef, but I think it is targeted at the wrong person. You want your team to be trying to win in Rd 19 of a competition and we’re not. And it isn’t because of coaching selections or even player performance. Most are playing as well as they can, they are just not yet, or no longer, players of NRL standard.
Your beef, IMO, should be with MON and the CEO. They are the reasons we are watching the squad that we are watching. If over the last few years they had done their job, this weekends game might have mattered.
As a member I’m happy that Ryles has dropped Brown. He has been underperforming all year, the only metric Brown has been better than 2024 is tackle effectiveness. Dylan should have been dropped after round 2 when it was obvious he wasn’t going to perform this year but Ryles has given him 13 more games to turn his performances around and barring 1 game there is no way you could watch any of Dylan’s games and thought he was a reason why the Eels won.
Joash on the other hand has brought enthusiasm and for mine has backed it up on the field. In the 3 games Joash has played the full 80 or close enough we have won 2 of those. In one of the games we lost Joash came on as hooker for 15 minutes and for those 15 minutes we looked like we could come back against the dragons and win, once he was taken off our attack slowed down and we went on to lose that match.
Just as the previous coach was willing to bet on a young Dylan Brown in 2019 by punting one of two senior halves our current coach is taking a punt on young Joash Papalii by clearing out someone who signed elsewhere. We were not winning with Dylan in the team, so putting Joash in the team is as much about winning now as it is winning next year.
Some very good and valid points here Ham.
What I find damning is Brown has been in the side this year and last year when we hit trouble; he should be one of the best in our side each week, and he has not been. Consistency is lacking
Thought bubble .. “Dylan Brown has been stealing a living from the Eels for years”
Thank God I didn’t say that aloud….
What is it with 5/8 at the Eels ?
We have Dylan Brown in the NRL – immensely talented but so laid back that you would swear he’s sometimes grabbing a nap on the field and we have Toki Hiku in the NRLW who is the carbon copy of him!
It’s such a pivotal position we just can’t afford to have a catch and pass man (or woman) in that spot.
Sometimes you just want to shake both of them and see if they are awake !
I absolutely applaud everything Ryles and the team are doing at the Eels.
Joash needs repetition in the position and he isnt going to learn by not playing there.
As for Dylan Brown, are we really missing his catch and pass but don’t run routine ??
He will be right in his element at Newcastle especially when they install BA as coach there.
BA , his boys and Dylan – it’s quite a reunion.
Just need Shaun Lane there to round it out.
I feel exactly the same as you 1 thing I want avoid is the spoon so Dylan Brown would be in my 17 I feel for db with terrible criticism he cops from supporters.im guessing he won’t get a send off like Josh Reynolds got from the dogs when he signed with the tigers for more money .one of Dylan Browns best assets was he rarely missed a tackle n I hope I’m wrong but joash is nowhere near that level in defence
Thanks for the article, I am a regular reader, keep up the fine work.
I like to think that the players don’t run onto the field thinking “this is a great trial for 26!”
Hoping they put on the jersey and feel seventy seven years of history and the support of all of us. Which stays rock solid despite our differences.
I will probably drop dead will we win the comp again so JR maybe give me a year or two.
Will be smiling on the way out though!
There’s nothing miraculous about the concept articulated in this post. We were never going to achieve much in 2025 beyond a few messy wins.
We needed to focus on promoting inexperienced players more quickly than we have in my view, nevertheless it’s the right thing that’s taking place right now.
Let’s face it – Dylan Brown has shown absolutely no interest in rugby league this year except signing the biggest contract he could. He can’t even face the music and head to the knights early.
It’s a tragedy that MON continues to hold a job at our club in my view (just my opinion). How many years since a premiership?
Looking forward to watching the boys get some experience. Go parra.
Thanks Shelley, and you have outlined your view well as always.
D Brown has polarised many fans – one of my best mates loves him, whereas I have often wondered why he is labelled so highly?
I back Ryles all the way and actually I back the club, even if its not always right.
I felt our last coach gave too many players too many chances and did not promote our kids well; I now feel Nathan Brown and Ryles have at least made our junior reps competitive (most of them) and we have a Reggies team competing; putting pressure on the first team.
I think Brown is in our best 17, but he is not delivering imo and has basically never consistently delivered for our team – maybe some games in 22/23 but to me he’s been highly paid for too long. Nothing personal against him and good luck to him but I feel he’s made a bad mistake leaving for the Knights. But he is setting himself up very well andon the coast.
Ryles has the balls to make some calls and I applaud him; my beef is with the retention / recruitment as we need some key acquisitions to go with the youth.
I also add – Lane on leave; Matterson injured? Offa / RCG / Gutho / Sivo and Brown all gone; its all a culture shift, and good on the club. We are no worse off table wise than this time last year; and we have injuries and suspension.
Don’t start me on the terrible MRC and referees…..
The contrarian position is that Ryles does want to win games hence dropping a player who has shown little interest or form this year for one that while, quite raw, is showing enthusiasm and intent.
Shelley, obviously entitled to your opinion and your commitment to the club is impressive. But like many others I disagree, respectfully. Many of the reasons have been already articulated, but in summary:
1. Dylan is one of our best 17. But I think his impact has been marginal. There’s a chance between now and seasons end, his presence on the field could turn a game from an L to a W, but it’s much less likely than likely, based on form to date.
2. I don’t agree with the premise that winning every week is the most important thing we see. We need to see improvement and development. At this stage I’d take a competitive loss over an incompetent win.
3. Dropping Dylan is really not different in our context to releasing someone early from contract, be it during the off season or during the season. It may feel like it is, because of the flexibility in choice week in week out, but had we released him pre 30 June, I don’t think there’d be the same frustration.
4. Short term pain, long term gain (hopefully not too long term!)
5. Isn’t the casual watermark for being a “true” first grader 50 games (2 years). An arbitrary point, but anything we can do to accelerate this for Joash and others is welcome (within reason).
I’m not a Dylan hater. He’s a good player. I do think he’s been on slight overs at the Eels, but on balance I’d have wanted to keep him. That said, he cost us 3x 5/8s, and for a club that just doesn’t seem to get a lot of luck, that really hurt us after how much we’d stuck by him – through his development, offering a long term contract, his scandal and suspension, and all while being paid more than fairly. I think his form this year has reflected him knowing he’s shafted us. I don’t mean to imply he did it intentionally , but he could have turned the Knights down and backed himself at the Eels and didn’t. So perpetuating his selection is just incongruent with the clubs direction, and I’m not surprised we’ve moved on and on balance I think it makes sense.
I totally get your frustration and desire to win now Shelley – I too have regularly done long journeys home from games, and they are so so flat after poor losses.
Like many others though, I will respectfully disagree. Why? Because on Sunday afternoon, when a play didn’t come off, Joash was vocally telling his teammate what he’d wanted from them, and demanding better. With Mitch out, our team is clearly in need of an on-field leader. Joash was prepared to take on that role, despite being new to the team. That will to win and standard setting is what I want to see.
I get the argument that “Dyl is a laid back character” and unlikely to act in that way. But evidence suggests that it’s more than just perception that he’s not fully invested. When he is choosing poor options, performing poorly (eg failing to run from dummy half last week, when that is the strength of his game), and really hasn’t shown signs of development in the past few years (eg have you seen any improvement in his kicking game?), then it’s awfully hard to believe that he has the will to win of a champion player, or that passion that we as fans do.
Lack of success doesn’t seem to drive him to improve, he just brushes it off. And while that can be a strength within a game, it’s not across a season or a career. The best players are constantly seeking ways to gain any small edge, in their own game and for their team. That competitiveness was why we loved Gutho, even while we recognised that his failing body was restricting him. And sure, letting him go looked like a terrible decision early in the year. But Iongi was best on park last weekend, and has a much brighter future. We’re all now confident that decision was the right one.
So, give me the young (or not so young), desperately hungry players who don’t just want to win, but want to LEARN. Joash fits that bill. And if selecting him now means I do more miserable journeys home this year but a lot less next year, then I’m on board.
That old fashion straw poll points to the fact Dylan has let himself down, the club and the fans who really took a liking to him and cheered for him. Ryles should stick to his decision. Having said that I believe Dylan is a better player when Mitch is out there. This season and last year we never got to see much of Mitch. His absence has affected the whole team in terms of balance.
What concerns me is Dylan’s exodus to the Knights and how they treat him when he plays like he has been for the past 2 or 3 years will be horrific. To really think he is worth $13 mil someone has a giant ego and or some official had to be on something to offer that contract. And now there is talk Ponga wants out. Where does that leave Dylan – the chief playmaker. Well we know where that’s heading. As for Shelley and her comments – she is correct – we wants wins coming from the best 17. It is unfortunate but true Dylan has fallen short of the best 17 and should have been dropped two months ago. That then might have encouraged him to examine his pride and do something to restore it. $13 mil. What a joke. I think Joash is raw just like Ryley Smith but their effort and commitment is what makes them fan favorites. And that sums up Dylan – his commitment is missing and has been all season.
Thanks Shelley,
A thought provoking piece as always. Your pain and frustration comes through strongly. After reading comments earlier in the week I was expecting many to agree with you. It is interesting that the opposite has occurred.
Like others here I am comfortable with Dylan being relegated this week. The Eels are a professional team and the players are well paid professionals also. I don’t believe either consider this game or the rest of the year as trial games. There will be a strong will to win.
Dylan’s form has not been great this year and I agree with an earlier comment that having Moses out for much of the season has not helped.
So we have only won five games with Dylan. I understand Sixties comments from earlier in the week that there are a lot of others who have played for only five wins. When looking at this weekends team the difference is all these players are contracted for next year and beyond. Surely each player is wanting to show they are deserving of a first grade spot right now and next year. Given how we have played a change is not unexpected or unreasonable.
Your piece has generated some of the most thoughtful, reasoned responses of any article I’ve read on this site over the last couple of years. I have thoroughly it.
Thoroughly *enjoyed* it
Hear the sentiment Shelley. But I think another way to look at is this, you are paying money now for a smarter investment in the future. I’d rather see Papalii develop a little more this season before next year. Also let’s be honest Brown has been really down on form this year, he just isn’t offering us anything imo. It sucks to know this year is a complete write off but I can see things Ryles is doing that look a lot different to other forever rebuilding clubs. Thanks always for the great content and go Eels !
Hi Shelley, love your passion and I am not a Dyllan hater, many who have commented on here have short and selective memories.
I think what has happened to Dyllan is actually very sad (1.3m x 10 aside).
He was burnt out last season and ran his guts out for the team. He tore his ACL, again played with that overhanging him.
He has lost pace in the process of that injury.
He is not a shadow of the player he once was. Let’s you and I hope that the off season and a break has some restorative value for him.
Finally, what you have realised here is the subjectivity of opinions in terms of Dylan’s or anyone’s selection.I have no criticsm of the coach or his staff.
I do not believe he should have played after game 2 this year. Subsequently there was a period where there was a semblance of his old self, and he was able and justified to stay in the side.
Last week was though, the last straw, God knows he must have been mentally prepared for his new role because he had the head tape on and at least looked the part.
Not so, note the effort in passing from dummy half, he was frankly just not interested enough. He deserves not to be on the team this weekend. If that does not eventuate and through circumstances he gets a game, then his body language and attitude will tell the final story.
Sorry I can provide no support other than at his new club Shelley.
In terms of payment for contribution Dylan has been one of the luckiest footballers I have seen in more than up years of following the game. He has been paid on potential as we awaited a dominant half back, a superstar. What we got was not Brad Fittler or Wally Lewis; we got a brave kid who was a very good defender, never out of place in the NRL. His luck continues with his latest. contract. He is certainly replaceable.
Which all due respect Shelly first allow me to respond by saying BOLLOCKS
Dylbags has been missing(invisible) for 2 seasons now, there are games where he doesn’t take a run until the last 10 mins
His attitude on the field suck, we’ve all seen his casual nature to losing and this is the last thing we need when rebuilding
I don’t want him to play 6 again for the eels unless we need him due to injury, and while I’m at it another player I’m disappointed in is Moses’s we can’t build a team around him if he’s never there, I am at the point where I think releasing him is an option.
Regarding Moses, what we need in the short term is to retain Dean Hawkins so that when the most valuable player in the league is unavailable we have a replacement of NRL standard
I’m not interested in commenting on Hawkins other than to say he’s ok, so getting back to Moses
Our marquee player is never available for the club and when he is he’s usually not 100% (he should be goal kicking) and then hes off playing rep footy getting injured again
It’s a bad deal for the club and it disrupts the continuity of the spine
Like I said, I’m at the point where releasing him is an option.
Bob, people are happy to say ‘NRL is now a business…’ I reckon it’s caught in a half way house and that raises more questions than we have answers. If it’s a business, I’m sure Moses and his Manager were ultra business-like in negotiating and securing a top-tier contract. I don’t know if his contract governs any conditions for providing services to any party other than Parramatta, but Origin has twice now fed into his non-availability for long periods and I’m sure the Board of any business would be choking on the Tim Tams over this faltering return on investment. Next year we face the classic test … ‘Third time lucky’ or even ‘Three strikes and you’re out’ but it would be, at the same time, sad, deflating, annoying, contentious if he were to be injured again. Nothing personal here, I rate Moses very highly, his absences are impactful in many ways, that’s why the Club pays him accordingly. This could play out like Watmough but over 5 years instead of a few months. Painful.
The whole point of taking the broom to the place is to get rid of the deadwood and Ryles is doing a great job so far(although Carty should have stayed) so how is it our marquee signing gets to put his hand up for rep footy whilst he’s just coming right from missing the start of the club season and is still carrying a niggle in his calf? And then predictably obtains another injury whist away from the club doing non club footy things and is now out for at least half the season? I’m not copping the he can do what he wants crap sorry sixties, he done the same thing last season almost getting us the spoon.
Not a brown hater but I could not disagree more.
eally enjoyed reading your take Shelley, always good to have a appreciation for what others are thinking.
Like many others I’ll have to respectfully disagree. I haven’t been a fan of the club or rugby league for all that long. I’ve only followed the Eels since Magic Round last year.
Whilst I don’t have the history that a lot of fans of the club will have, I can absolutely see and get behind the vision that JR is trying to achieve. Seeing how much some of our younger players have improved this year based on their experience in the NRL, thinking Kitione, Rylie, Isiah, etc., just gets me so pumped for what the future may bring. I can see the improvement across our game as these younger players adapt to the NRL and welcome the opportunity for Joash to get some real reps under his belt and make his mark at the Eels.
Not to bash on Dylan, but as others have said, we have only won 5 games with him in the side this year (not that the results fall only on him) and I’m really excited to see what we can do with the fresh injection of Joash at 6 and hopefully the return of MM in Round 21.
Bring on the Eels V Broncos watch party at Parra Leagues!
Well said Shelley, I feel exactly the same way. Am disappointed that we are not watching Dylan play.
Dylan on form doesn’t warrant a walk up selection.
Our games are worse then a trial game for other teams we are as good as a bye.
A panthers fan said on Sunday I had to laugh ‘ no such thing as a easy game in rugby league unless you play the eels’ i don’t think hes completely wrong.
Im on with Ryles selecting Joash we are unlikely to recruit a big name 5/8 so joash gets 1st shot Volkman and Hunter will get a shot in preseason and wouldn’t rule out a Moses Hawkins pair up next year
We need to give Papalii time in the 6 position for his confidence and to give him experience in playing with the team. Its not the same giving him nsw cup.reps, he needs reps with the 1st grade team without a doubt.
What if we had kept Dylan at 6 for the remainder of the season, sure we may have some better results but that would mean the club would have to go with Papalii starting at 6 in Round 1 2026, without a game under his belt.
Let’s face it, the nrl is about the end of season finals and at the moment we’re 500/ 1 to make the 8 . This year is over.
Now, I also believe having a player in the sheds who players know won’t be around next year is detrimental to comradely. Look at Manly,. Since dce told everyone he was leaving Manly have been very poor in the majority of games.
The Naming of Papalii @ 6 will have benefits in team comradeship and give him reps into the top league. Also, Ryles wouldn’t have named him at six for the sake of it, . It seems Ryles has seen enough to know Papalii has definitely got what it takes
It’s only half time – but we look solid today this first half
Joash with a try assist and playing mostly solid in this first half
Our middles looked tidy middles with our middles and two hookers doing their jobs
We do not look like a worse team without Dylan brown in the team so far
Long way from a “win” yet …
But young Joash is doing his job so far – good on the young lad
De Silva and Ryley smith is also an awesome dummy half combo, amazing young dummy halves we’ve got 💙 💛
Lesson: Bet on your YOUTH
The raiders did it and and now are sitting on top of the table, the trend of the game is now favouring a roster with a lot of young fit players in your starting 17
We have a huge amount of growth potential in 3-5 of these young players we’ve got who will likely end up in origin or at least contention in the next 3-4 seasons