NRL 2025: Dylan Brown opens up on Parramatta Eels future, Clint Gutherson exit, return from injury
Parramatta star Dylan Brown has revealed how new coach Jason Ryles has transformed the club, opened up on his Eels future, and losing the heartbeat of the club, Clint Gutherson.
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Eels star Dylan Brown spent Monday mowing lawns and doing odd jobs around Parramatta Leagues Club. On Tuesday, he was in the factory at one of the club’s sponsors, learning how to put together an airconditioning compressor.
On Wednesday, he was back at the leagues club, searing steaks in the kitchen at one of the bistros. Each and every day, he has been up at 5am for a gym session and returned later in the day for a field session under new coach Jason Ryles.
“I was actually thinking about (this) yesterday – probably the biggest thing I’ve got out of this is not just working, but getting in our community and seeing faces of people that support us,” Brown said
“Everyone sort of idolises a lot of the boys. They love it so much. A lot of the stuff we are doing is about connection, whether that is with the community or the staff at the other end of the building.”
Ryles made culture one of his priorities when he arrived at Parramatta and this week has been about that as much as anything.
The entire squad – from the highest paid down to those on minimum age – have been in the community learning how the other half lives.
Brown has had a taste of it once before – he started an apprenticeship as a locksmith while playing under 20s. His life since has only been about rugby league.
“He’s just fresh eyes,” Brown said of Ryles.
“He’s very excited. It’s his first major role as a coach and he’s huge on connection. He’s shown that throughout everything we’ve done, whether it’s connecting with the staff whenever we eat, no phones, things like that.
“Doing this is probably the biggest example of that. Like I said, you can look at it as hard work for three days or you can look at it as a way to connect to the community.
RUNNING AGAIN
Brown finished last season having narrowly averted a crisis after suffering a knee injury in the “Spoon Bowl’ against the Wests Tigers.
There were initial fears he had ruptured the ACL in his knee but scans revealed it was a partial tear.
Brown avoided surgery but sat out the Pacific Championships to make sure he would be ready to go when Parramatta resumed training.
He started doing drills with his teammates again this week and expects to be back in full training closer to Christmas.
“I am running,” Brown said.
“Yesterday was my first day doing drills with the boys – passing and changing movement. Hopefully I’m back into full training before or just after Christmas.
“Everything is going good so far. When I first did it, I was distraught. Obviously a lot of the boys have done knees before.
“I’ve seen a lot of my friends do them and … … it’s such a massive hole in their career. So I got very nervous.
“Obviously, you can imagine me going to the scan. I don’t know what’s going to happen.”
CHANGE
The Eels have been in a state of flux over the off-season. Captain Clint Gutherson departed to join the Dragons and Josh Addo-Carr arrived after being sacked by the Bulldogs.
The club has also extended the contacts of hooker Brendan Hands and Sean Russell, announcing on Wednesday that they would stay until the end of 2026.
Gutherson was often described as the heart and soul of Parramatta and Brown conceded he left a huge hole.
“Gutho being our captain, it’s not just a hard person to fill, but obviously a hard role to fill as well,” Brown said.
“So there’s definitely players there that can do exactly that. But a lot of people have said we have lost the heartbeat of our club and he sort of was that.
“But I think in Guth’s own words, move or you rust.”
Brown insists they have the depth and talent to replace their departed skipper
“He’s obviously gone and I wish him all the best,” Brown said.
“Everyone loves him for the way he competes for the club and he is around the club. There’s so many other people that make Parramatta, Parramatta.”
THE FUTURE
Brown signed a long-term deal with Parramatta that runs until the end of 2031. The concern for the Eels is that his deal is littered with options, meaning he could leave the club as early as the end of next season.
Brown has until round 10 to exercise his option and Ryles has already spoken to his five-eighth about the future.
“Rylesy has obviously had that conversation with me because it’s obviously his role to keep me here as well,” Brown said.
“I’ve never really thought about it. My main priority is my knee at the moment. I didn’t even know the (clause) was round 10.
“I’ve seen a few things about it, but honestly I haven’t even given two thoughts about it. I love Parramatta. I love Parramatta.
“Whatever happens, happens.”
The challenge for Ryles is to keep Brown happy. Winning would help – the Eels are coming off a diabolical season that ended with them in the battle for the spoon.
“He’s told me that he knows how I play and my running game and all that, and he’s trying to unlock that for us as halves,” Brown said.
“He feels like we didn’t do that as much as we could have – Mitchy and me. Obviously we’ve got a new fullback as well.
“But a lot of speed this year and now I feel like that’s how we’re going to play. So it’s going to be a lot of fun.”
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Originally published as NRL 2025: Dylan Brown opens up on Parramatta Eels future, Clint Gutherson exit, return from injury
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