{"id":819498,"date":"2026-07-23T21:41:13","date_gmt":"2026-07-23T21:41:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/819498\/"},"modified":"2026-07-23T21:41:13","modified_gmt":"2026-07-23T21:41:13","slug":"nrl-2026-dylan-brown-interview-after-13-million-move-from-parramatta-eels-to-newcastle-knights-finals-chances-latest-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/819498\/","title":{"rendered":"NRL 2026: Dylan Brown interview after $13 million move from Parramatta Eels to Newcastle Knights, finals chances, latest news"},"content":{"rendered":"

He was cheekily nicknamed \u2018moneybags\u2019 by former teammates<\/a>, but Dylan Brown may well be anointed Newcastle\u2019s Nostradamus as he leads the Knights through a premiership tilt that few saw coming.<\/p>\n

Watch every game of every round of the Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/p>\n

Nine months into a Knights contract he was told he\u2019d be \u2018silly\u2019 to sign<\/a>, the 26-year-old is flourishing at Newcastle both on and off the field, helping convert them from idle cellar-dwellers to genuine premiership contenders. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The seventh-placed Novocastrians embark on one of their toughest assignments this season when they face the third-placed Sydney Roosters on Friday night.<\/p>\n

In his first sit-down interview since joining Newcastle on a lucrative $13 million deal, Brown discusses his role at halfback, why he has embraced additional responsibility both on and off the field, and the positive impact Jarome Luai will have at his former club in 2027.<\/p>\n

THE REAL REASON BEHIND A MOVE TO THE HUNTER<\/p>\n

The rugby league world was quick to underline the change of money in Brown\u2019s record-breaking $13 million, 10-year signing with Newcastle in March last year. <\/p>\n

But the reasoning behind Brown\u2019s decision to move away from his home for the previous seven years, the Parramatta Eels, was far more considered.<\/p>\n

Despite some doubt from observers, Brown said he could see the potential at Newcastle.<\/p>\n

\u201cI came to this team with no doubt of where we could reach in terms of potential,\u201d Brown told foxsports.com.au. \u201cI found it quite strange that everyone thought it was a silly signing: a lot of people I spoke to said, \u2018It\u2019s going to be silly going up there, it\u2019s going to be a hard job\u2019. But I just knew with the players there, it would only take a couple of wins.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust like any team, you can have the best team in the world but if you\u2019re not winning your confidence is going to drop. We just needed a few wins at the start of the year and it\u2019s definitely helped.\u201d<\/p>\n

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – JULY 12: Dylan Brown of the Knights passes the ball to a team mate during the round 19 NRL match between South Sydney Rabbitohs and Newcastle Knights at Accor Stadium, on July 12, 2026, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n

From his first meetings with Newcastle\u2019s top brass \u2013 both at the club\u2019s training facilities and later for lunch at The Beach Hotel in Merewether \u2013 the region immediately imparted parallels with Brown\u2019s own upbringing in New Zealand while offering a blank canvas to grow his young family.<\/p>\n

All of this was central to his decision.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are heaps of similarities between Whangerei (in New Zealand) and Newcastle. It has a homely feel and there\u2019s not too much hustle and bustle, the community is big and it\u2019s very familiar. I feel like that\u2019s why I enjoy it so much,\u201d Brown told foxsports.com.au.<\/p>\n

\u201cA lot happened in probably two years when I was down in Sydney and I met my partner. She had a daughter already so I started playing a stepfather role and then we had plans for another one.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve now had a baby up here and we\u2019ve got a little family and enjoying our time here.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll sorts of things added up and it felt right to start somewhere fresh and move two hours\u2019 up the road. I never look back.\u201d<\/p>\n

There are no guarantees in the NRL, and Brown\u2019s journey to Australia \u2013 leaving his native New Zealand as a 15-year-old to sign with Parramatta \u2013 is one of the league\u2019s true feel-good stories.<\/p>\n

Originally from a rugby union background, Brown and his family moved to Australia to embark on the NRL dream. His debut in 2019 was labelled \u2018class\u2019 by the likes of Brad Fittler and Andrew Johns, the latter an attacking coach at the Eels at the time.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe is quick with the feet and slow with the hands\u2026that is the sign of a ball player,\u201d said Johns.<\/p>\n

Brown will be 35 when his contract is due to run out at the Knights. While the length of the deal wasn\u2019t initially his aspiration \u2013 \u201coriginally it was my manager\u2019s antics,\u201d he laughs \u2013 the new digs have led to a completely new dynamic around his Newcastle teammates. And a happy one at that.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think we\u2019re pretty lucky that it\u2019s a small town and a lot of us live quite close. It\u2019s just easier for everyone to be around, for people to come to training earlier or even after, there\u2019s never a rush to get out of there,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn Sydney, it might have been a bit different. People live an hour away from training and it\u2019s stressful when you\u2019ve got families and stuff. It\u2019s a small town and we enjoy each other\u2019s company and I think it\u2019s massive.\u201d<\/p>\n

NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA – JULY 05: Fletcher Hunt of the Knights celerates with Dylan Brown of the Knights after Browns field goal during the round 18 NRL match between Newcastle Knights and Dolphins at McDonald Jones Stadium, on July 05, 2026, in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Scott Gardiner\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n

ADJUSTMENTS AND EMBRACING THE ROLE OF HALFBACK<\/p>\n

Off-field changes aren\u2019t the only wholesale adjustments that Brown has had to make since joining Newcastle.<\/p>\n

In the wake of last season\u2019s wooden spoon, Justin Holbrook took over as coach for the next three seasons, and quickly challenged Brown by moving him from his accustomed five-eighth role to halfback.<\/p>\n

In a side already boasting Kalyn Ponga, Sandon Smith and Fletcher Sharpe as its kingpins, there were initially concerns that Brown\u2019s addition had created an embarrassment of riches for Newcastle\u2019s attack. <\/p>\n

In reality, it has transformed them from the worst attacking team in the NRL to one of the best.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt the start of the year it was almost like an issue. It was a strange thing that we had to get around, having Sandon, myself and Sharpey all there as options in the spine,\u201d said Brown.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel like we\u2019ve done a pretty good job. With Kalyn out it\u2019s sort of disrupted the spine a bit for the Origin period but every team has to go through that. Now he\u2019s back with us we\u2019re going to get the combinations working again and the reps in.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been fun but just having that depth is definitely a good issue to have.\u201d<\/p>\n

TALKING PTS: Tigers\u2019 \u2018huge price\u2019 in Luai call; why Broncos have to \u2018get out\u2019 of Walsh\u2019s way<\/a><\/p>\n

Brown nails field goal to seal win! | 00:31<\/p>\n

Experts agree that Brown probably hasn\u2019t reached top gear for Newcastle in the same way he did at Parramatta \u2013 but then, he is playing a completely different role where kicking is largely his responsibility, as is getting to the head of Knights\u2019 attacking shapes. <\/p>\n

Brown\u2019s kicking metres have tripled from any other year in the NRL \u2013 averaging 317 metres per game \u2013 while his touches in game have increased to 58, while average run metres have held steady at 127 metres.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve seen him play better,\u201d was dual premiership winner Luke Keary\u2019s assessment. \u201cHe\u2019s obviously playing a different role there. I thought he\u2019s adapted really well playing in that seven role because he\u2019s not a natural halfback. <\/p>\n

\u201cI just feel like they\u2019re playing a style which is suiting him and Kalyn and Fletcher. They don\u2019t have a fully dominant seven, although Dylan does a lot of it. They\u2019re kind of sharing the load of it, which I think\u2019s great for them. It\u2019s perfect for those three players.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to Michael Ennis, Brown remains the best defensive half in the competition, while the freedom afforded to him by Holbrook is suiting the faster, more agile style of play in 2026.<\/p>\n

Best of all, Brown\u2019s ability to offer \u2018first-class support play\u2019 means the fluid attacking structure just works.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey seem to have this real flexibility,\u201d Ennis said. \u201cIt\u2019s allowed Dylan to not feel lumped with pressure and expectation, it has just allowed him to play with that beautiful freedom that he plays with.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel confident that Newcastle can really push Penrith for this title \u2013 as much as it has seemed like a one-horse race this season.\u201d<\/p>\n

A \u2018high-risk\u2019 playing style has galvanised Brown, who in recent weeks has slotted a field goal to get Newcastle over the line against the Dolphins, and made a try-saving tackle to keep the Knights in the fight against the Sharks.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m definitely learning,\u201d he said. \u201cObviously I\u2019m not a natural seven and I\u2019ve come up here and even though Justin didn\u2019t put the pressure on me to become an out-and-out seven altogether, he\u2019s got the seven on my back.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m kicking a lot more, and knowing when to play the ball and give it to who you need to, as well as choosing when to run and when not to run. I\u2019m enjoying the extra responsibility.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a different way that we play. We play some pretty high risk footy, which Justin has obviously done with other teams and it hasn\u2019t worked. It has put the blame on him but I feel like our team suits the way he\u2019s brought in this attack flow.\u201d<\/p>\n

HOLBROOK FUN FACTOR AND THE EELS PROSPECTS<\/p>\n

Newcastle might occasionally shirk convention around attacking structures, but there\u2019s one thing that\u2019s certain around their roster this year: they\u2019re having fun.<\/p>\n

While he treads the line carefully, Brown said that Holbrook has created an environment that is light yet focused. The environment has been key to a host of young forwards \u2013 most notably Lachlan Crouch and Cody Hopwood \u2013 making an immediate effect in the NRL.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know too many coaches but Justin\u2019s fun factor is high. Obviously he\u2019s got a cap on that but he definitely makes work enjoyable,\u201d Brown said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you\u2019ve got the players we do it\u2019s sort of the smartest way to do things. We don\u2019t have the biggest forward pack but they\u2019ve got big engines and our outside backs are great runners of the ball so it suits the team well and Justin has done a great job at merging the two.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brown still looks back fondly on his time at Parramatta, and still has close relationships with players and staff at the club he spent seven years at.<\/p>\n

When it was announced this month that Jarome Luai would take on Brown\u2019s old No. 6 jersey at the Eels<\/a>, he looked at the announcement favourably and wanted the best outcomes for both parties.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m looking at my own situation but I mean you can\u2019t not see what\u2019s been going on, it seems to be everywhere,\u201d he said of Luai\u2019s signing news.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel a little bit sorry for Luai in terms of what\u2019s been dealt to him. He\u2019s handled it very well and him going to Parramatta is awesome, not only for him but for the club as well. He\u2019s a great player and for Parra to get him for a year, it\u2019s awesome news for himself and for that club.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just wish both all the best.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"He was cheekily nicknamed \u2018moneybags\u2019 by former teammates, but Dylan Brown may well be anointed Newcastle\u2019s Nostradamus as…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":819499,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[568],"tags":[64,63,761,762,158,85],"class_list":["post-819498","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nrl","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-national-rugby-league","tag-nationalrugbyleague","tag-nrl","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/819498","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=819498"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/819498\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/819499"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=819498"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=819498"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=819498"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}