‘Crazy’: Parramatta Eels coach Jason Ryles torn to shreds for bizarre Dylan Brown move

Eels coach Jason Ryles has been slammed by Parramatta fans for a head scratching decision about their $13m star on Sunday,

Eels coach Jason Ryles has come under fire for a bizarre decision to pick star playmaker Dylan Brown at hooker for Sunday afternoon’s clash against the Panthers.

Despite being named in the No. 6 jersey and expected to play as usual at five-eighth, the Parramatta coach pulled a late change, moving Brown to hooker to start the game – a position he has never played.

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The Eels are without regular starting No. 9 Ryley Smith who is suspended, but oddly decided to send his logical replacement Joey Lussick – who was named at hooker – to reserve grade.

And if that wasn’t strange enough, new recruit Tallyn Da Silva – who is expected to share the hooking duties with Smith moving forward – was selected on the bench.

Jason Ryles peculiarly picked Dylan Brown at hooker on Sunday. Image: Getty and Kayo

Brown is widely regarded as one of the best halves in the game, which is why earlier this year signed a record $13m 10-year deal to join the Knights from 2026.

And given the fact that the Eels are currently without Mitch Moses, who is sidelined with injury, fans couldn’t understand Ryles’ decision to move their best half available to hooker and play rookie fullback Joash Papalii at five-eighth.

“Absolutely crazy from Ryles, I do not get it at all,” one fan wrote on X in response to the news that Brown was being deployed at hooker.

“Ryles has completely lost the plot,” a second added.

“Yeah that makes a lot of sense … not. Ryles has done a lot right but this is madness,” a third added.

In the end, Brown played the initial 20 minutes before being taken off.

Commentators and fans then were waiting for him to come back on, most likely in the halves with the game on the line but instead Ryles sat on his hands.

Dylan Brown’s Paramatta career appears likely to come to a premature end. Picture: Tim Hunter.

It was a move that Andrew Voss couldn’t wrap his head around.

“If that’s his future he may as well go to Newcastle now as there’s no role to play here at Parramatta,” Voss said.

“That can’t be it (all he is playing). I don’t get it.

“...He may as well have the real estate guide out because there’s nothing doing here.”

In the end with the game gone and Paramatta down by 16 points with five minutes to go, Brown was brought back on.

“That is amazing, Dylan Brown with six to go and 16 down, this beggars belief,” Voss said.

“Dylan Brown’s days at Parramatta may as well be over now. His days are done.”

But this time it wasn’t at hooker, or at five eighth but lock.

Figure that one out.

Originally published as ‘Crazy’: Parramatta Eels coach Jason Ryles torn to shreds for bizarre Dylan Brown move