Dylan Brown ACL injury update: Partial tear leaves door open for 2025

Parramatta star Dylan Brown just wants a holiday, but instead of a trip to Bali he’s looking at a trip to rehab - it’s not all doom and gloom though with scans indicating Brown might be ready for round one of 2025.

Parramatta Eels five-eighth Dylan Brown is injured against the Wests Tigers. Picture NRL Images

Dylan Brown will avoid surgery which would have sidelined him for 12 months with scans clearing the Eels half of a serious knee injury.

It was feared that Brown had ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament which would have meant he missed a large chunk of next season.

However, scans on Saturday revealed his knee was not as badly damaged as first thought. It is understood he has a partial tear of the ACL which means he will avoid surgery as the Eels will work on a rehabilitation plan for their half.

Dylan Brown chats to fans after the Wests Tigers game. Picture: Supplied

Roosters’ halfback Sam Walker suffered a partial tear of the ACL last year before fully rupturing his knee last weekend.

Provided there are no further setbacks, Brown will be right to start next season which is a massive sigh of relief for incoming coach Jason Ryles.

If Brown had been ruled out for an extended period it would have potentially meant a shift to the halves for Eels skipper Clint Gutherson alongside Mitch Moses.

Brown said after Parramatta’s 60-26 win against the Tigers on Friday night that he was hopeful it wasn’t a serious injury.

Dylan Brown will go for scans on what the Eels think could be an ACL injury.

Best case hope more PCL/meniscus with flexed knee into ground + rotation rather than non-contact last step. But hands on tests from medical staff very accurate in these cases. Fingers crossed for him. pic.twitter.com/GcEEQZRZOB

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) September 6, 2024

“It doesn’t feel that bad,” Brown said. “My knee just went numb. I didn’t feel a pop. I started asking questions. I asked ‘Bula’ [Maika Sivo], ‘did yours pop?’, and he said, ‘no’. And he did his.

“I’ve never done anything to my knee before. I have no idea what it means. But it’s a sh-t way to finish. This sucks.

“I might have to stick around and do rehab. I’m not sure. I would love a holiday.

“It’s been a long year. I’m sick of the attention to be honest. Friday night was a good finish to a poor year, but the negative spotlight … we’ve been in games, we’ve come close to beating some of the best, but we didn’t.”

Dylan Brown hobbles from the ground after injuring his knee. Picture: Supplied

Brown said he was excited for Ryles’ impending arrival.

“He’s a fresh face, and that’s what we need at the moment,” Brown said. “It’s sad to see the coaches going. (Assistant coach) Steve Murphy has been there since day dot with me. To see him go sucks. He’s one of the most positive people I’ve ever met. For him to go is sad.

“And what Baz did for us, they made a tough year a fun year. It was always positive, and never, ‘how do we get up this week?’. We knew we were going to win Friday. It was up to us to bring the right attitude.”

Will Pensini and Daejarn Asi – who also failed to finished the game - were cleared of serious injuries.

RCG STILL UNSURE OF FUTURE

While a serious knee injury may force Ryles to start next season without Brown, prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard could also be on the move after conceding he wasn’t sure where his future lay.

Campbell-Gillard led Parramatta onto Campbelltown Stadium on Friday night. He took the final shot at goal as the Eels thrashed the Wests Tigers to avoid the wooden spoon.

He played his guts out and every action suggested he was a man making his final appearance for the Eels. Campbell-Gillard insisted afterwards that no decision had been made – he has another 12 months remaining on his contract – but he has been linked with a move elsewhere – St George Illawarra look the most likely destination.

Reagan Campbell-Gillard takes the final shot at goal for the match.

“I am still contracted for next year,” Campbell-Gillard said.

“If it is my last game then I have enjoyed my time, I have loved every minute of it and I wouldn’t change it for the world.

“True fans, true passionate fans. I really got my football back on track and I only have to thank Brad (Arthur) especially and the whole playing group.

“If it is my last game and last season here then I am very thankful … for the opportunity to come to a great club.

“But still contracted. We’ll have to see how it pans out in the next few weeks.”

RCG kicked a conversion in what might be his final game with Parramatta and the fans LOVED IT! 😍

📺 Watch #NRLTigersEels on ch.502 or stream on Kayo: https://t.co/yjGvj798o5
✍️ BLOG https://t.co/rFaLZV8Scl
🔢 MATCH CENTREhttps://t.co/Y2glrKd0kFpic.twitter.com/0oq7JLRmy4

— Fox League (@FOXNRL) September 6, 2024

Campbell-Gillard arrived at Parramatta as a State of Origin and Test player and he will depart as a 31-year-old warhorse, albeit having proven through a difficult season that he is still capable of mixing it with the best.

“Change is always good,” Campbell-Gillard said.

“I got out of the comfort zone of Penrith, I was a junior there and came through the whole system there. You have a change and it was good under some tough guidance from Brad and a tough playing group.

“I wouldn’t change it for the world. I came to the club with no kids and if I am leaving the club, I have a family now. It’s a little bit emotional.

“I hope it’s not (my last game). We will see what happens in the next couple of weeks.”

The doubt over his future explains why Campbell-Gillard was so desperate to win on Friday night. The last thing he wanted to do was end his time at Parramatta with the wooden spoon. Thankfully the Eels got the job done and Campbell-Gillard led the way, helping himself to a try in the process.