Parramatta tell ex-State of Origin forward Nathan Brown he’s free to leave

The Parramatta Eels have told one of its stars who just over 18 months ago played State of Origin that he can go and find another club.

Nathan Brown is now on the outer at Parramatta. Picture. Phil Hillyard

Parramatta Eels forward Nathan Brown has been given permission to go and find another club after he was reportedly dropped for the side’s clash against the Sydney Roosters.

Brown was named on the bench for the clash but the Sydney Morning Herald reported Brown would be dropped from the bench and told he wasn’t part of the side’s future plan.

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Although Brown is contracted until the end of the 2023, his management reached out to test the waters for a possible extension but was told he could look for a new club.

The Eels would reportedly be willing to grant an early release if he was able to land a new deal.

It’s a rapid fall from grace for Brown, who played two State of Origin matches for NSW in the season-ending 2020 series.

But Brown’s form has suffered in 2022 and he has started off the bench in the past three games as the Eels have tried Origin debutant Ryan Matterson and reigning second rower of the year Isaiah Papali’I in the lock position.

Brown reportedly wants to stay but is free to go. Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Eels coach Brad Arthur confirmed that Brown was free to find a new club.

“It’s a simple one; Nathan’s management has asked,” Arthur said.

“He’s on contract until the end of 2023, and we have quite a few players in that situation where they’re all looking out for what comes after. We have to remember it is a sport, but it is a business. Everyone has their own priorities they need to look after.

“He’s just reached out to find out if there’s anything moving forward. With our cap situation and the players we’ve got and the spend, there’s nothing past 2023 in our plans. It’s his right to ask to look around. There’s no ‘he wants to go’ or ‘we’re pushing him out’. He’s just trying to secure his future past 2023. It is what it is.”

It continues the forward exodus from the Eels with Reed Mahoney, Marata Niukore, Oregon Kaufusi and Papali’i set to leave the club.

The Wests Tigers have reportedly been approached to pick up Brown’s services but the club is not yet in the position to sign new players as it looks for a new coach following Michael Maguire’s departure from the club.

However, the Eels have reportedly picked up young Kiwi forward Jirah Momoisea from Newcastle and Penrith’s J’maine Hopgood.