Dylan Brown and Isaiah Iongi impress as Eels down Knights 44-18 in NRL trial

The Jason Ryles’ era at Parramatta has started off in fine fashion, with a host of young stars impressing as they cruised past the Knights. One player stood out to nail down a round one spot.

Jason Ryles has gotten his coaching caper off to a strong start, with Dylan Brown and Isaiah Iongi impressing in a 44-18 pre-season trial rout of Newcastle.

Some questioned the wisdom of Ryles’ controversial decision to let go of former captain Clint Gutherson, but on the early evidence, the future looks bright with Iongi in the No.1.

Picking his moments nicely, the young fullback inserted himself when needed, helping Paramatta jump out to a big lead before romping him as both sides cleared their benches.

Former Canterbury fullback Joash Papalii also impressed when he replaced Iongi early, while winger Arthur Miller-Stephen finished with two tries.

Isaiah Iongi impressed in his first game for Parramatta. Picture: NRL Imagery

Brown also shrugged off the speculation around his long-term future at the club, playing fast and direct in what is a good sign of things to come for the Eels five-eighth.

Fletcher Sharpe looked dangerous as a ball running five-eighth, playing the first 30-minutes in the position and constantly testing the Eels’ defence.

For teammate and veteran half Jackson Hastings, it’s not good signs for his future at the club, with coach Adam O’Brien seemingly set on his newest combination.

One man who O’Brien won’t be leaving out of selection is Greg Marzhew, who looks fit and in strong form ahead of the season.

COMBINATIONS

Without dominant half Mitchell Moses, the combination of Brown and Ronald Volkman stood out as if they were ready to partner in round one.

The pair straightened the Eels attack all night, caused major headaches for the Knights defence.

When the Eels were able to compete, their ability to move the ball to any point of the field allowed Brown and Volkman to bring their outside men into the game.

Dylan Brown. Picture: NRL Imagery

RECRUIT WATCH

Volkman, Papalii and Jordan Samrani were all let go by their former clubs for one reason or another, but they looked like outright first graders on Friday night.

The trio, picked up reasonably late into the off-season, showed glimpses of x-factor and toughness, giving Ryles plenty of food for thought ahead of their next trial.

Volkman’s showing came after a torrid year dealing with a shoulder injury that ended in a controversial departure from St George Illawarra.

Iongi produced a perfectly timed outside ball for a try early in the first half, before Papalii matched the effort with a try of his own early in his stint.

Apart from scoring a great try, set up by Papalii, Samrani’s sound defensive work fixes a major issues which the Eels carried all throughout the 2024 season.

ROOKIE WATCH

Ryley Smith needs to be the Eels starting hooker come round one.

He may be young and not played a minute of NRL, but Smith looks the best to fill the giant hole Reed Mahoney left after the 2022 grand final.

The former Australian schoolboy representative in both league and cricket had an unmatchable energy in defence, and every pass from the ruck hit the mark right.

HOT TAKE

Friday night’s trial proved at his best Brown deserves a contract of $1.2 million, but his consistency separates him from the price tag he desires.

Brown started the game on fire, taking the entire Newcastle side on and providing some of the game’s best highlights.

But as the game went on, he fell away from the things which made his start so explosive.

If Brown really wants to solidify himself as one of the highest paid players in the game, consistency is key.

FINAL SAY

Both the Eels and the Knights showed promising signs, and the ability to score a lot of points. However Parramatta will be pleased with the early form of Brown and Iongi, as well as a depth that wasn’t as strong in previous years.

Knights coach Adam O’Brien will be unhappy with his team’s defence, but would want to see more from his experiment with Sharpe and Jack Cogger in the halves.

Originally published as Dylan Brown and Isaiah Iongi impress as Eels down Knights 44-18 in NRL trial