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Jason Ryles says he’ll support whatever decision Dylan Brown makes on his future, with the rookie Eels coach hopeful the superstar five-eighth makes a call “sooner rather than later” with Parramatta’s opening game of the season just a fortnight away.
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The contract circus is nothing new to the club and it’s something the first-year coach has had to navigate with Brown having until round 10 to activate a clause in his deal to remain in the blue and gold until 2031.
The unique deal signed back in 2022 now faces its biggest test, with a stack of other clubs interested in the New Zealand playmaker who is only 24 and coming into his prime.
Captain Mitch Moses spoke a few weeks ago about not putting any pressure on his halves partner, and it’s a sentiment shared by Ryles with speculation Brown wants to sort it out before the round one game against the Storm next month.
“Dylan is entitled to do whatever he likes in regards to the situation he is in,” Ryles said following his side’s trial loss to the Wests Tigers.
“What I need to do is provide the best environment for him to come to footy every day so he can be the best he can be.
“With me, he’s been outstanding. We’ll support Dylan 100 per cent, whichever direction he goes.
“Obviously sooner rather than later would be nice, but it’s important he gets this decision right because it’s a really important one for him.
“We’re pretty clear on our position. We’re really clear as a footy club. The club has showed a lot of faith in him offering him a nine-year deal. We’re in the midst of that at the moment. That’s where it all sits.”
Brown didn’t play on Friday night because he was at his brother’s wedding in New Zealand, while Moses also missed the 30-18 loss but is in no doubt for round one.
Dylan Brown and Mitchell Moses both missed Parramatta’s final trial game.Source: Supplied“Mitch had a bit of soreness with his foot around the screw,” Ryles said, referring to surgery Moses had last year on his fractured left foot.
“We’ve had every scan under the sun, and he had a really good running session today to build him back up for round one.
“Because of where we were in the pre-season, we didn’t want to push him through whatever he didn’t need to.
“But he’s all clear, he’s happy and he’s training – we expect him to play round one.
“This year he’s probably done the most training he’s done for a long time, and that probably caught up with him the past few weeks.
“If we’re playing NRL games, we’re playing him. It’s a matter of being smart about it while we can be smart about it.”
