Dylan Brown update: Parramatta Eels name five-eighth to play despite sexual touching charges
The ball is in the NRL’s court after Parramatta named five-eighth Dylan Brown for Monday’s game against Canterbury.
NRL
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Parramatta five-eighth Dylan Brown has been named in the Eels team for Monday‘s King’s birthday clash with Canterbury but his ability to play against the Bulldogs will still hinge on the club getting the green light from the NRL.
Brown is facing five charges of sexual touching after an incident at a pub in Sydney‘s eastern suburbs at the weekend and it is understood the NRL will formalise their stance on his immediate playing future on Wednesday, when he is due to appear in court.
“The NRL has given permission for Dylan Brown to be named in the team while they consider whether he is subject to the no fault stand down policy,” the Eels said in a statement.
“We are continuing to work with the NRL integrity unit and NSW Police.”
Under the game‘s no-fault stand-down policy, Brown is not automatically stood down because his offences don’t carry a ban of 11 years or more.
However, NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo has the ability to use his discretionary powers to stand down Brown and it is understood he is likely to make a call on Wednesday.
The Eels have named Daejarn Asi on an extended bench and he could come into the top 17 should Brown he stood down. Alternatively, there has been talk that Clint Gutherson could move to the halves to partner Mitchell Moses, with coach Brad Arthur reshuffling his backline to accomodate Brown’s absence.
Regardless of who replaces takes Brown’s place if he is stood down, they will struggle to match his output this season. Brown has been a star for the Eels, producing arguably the best form of his young career.
The Eels have been strengthened by the return of prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard, who gets the chance to push his State of Origin claims as he makes his comeback from injury.
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