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Why Brown is excited by Knights opportunity
Nicholas Quinlan • October 31st, 2025 12:03 pm
While Dylan Brown may be embarking on a new journey that won’t involve the Parramatta Eels, the five-eighth has shared how incredibly grateful he is to the club for his time with them.
The Kiwi international, who has spent all of his seven seasons in the NRL with the blue and gold, will be departing the side for the Newcastle Knights for 2026 to help bolster the side’s spine.
And while he is excited by the new opportunity in front of him with the Knights, he admits that it was a tough decision.
“It was obviously a decision I made throughout the year, so it gave me time to really appreciate the club and what they have done for me,” Brown explained on SEN 1170’s The Run Home.
“It was always going to be hard. I was sort of riding the waves of emotion throughout the year, and it was sad knowing that I was leaving the club.
“But there’s exciting things to come, and I let Parra know that it was something I had to do for my family, and they were awesome to me throughout the year.
“It’s gone now, but I loved my time there and I thank them for everything they have done for me.”
When Brown signed with the Knights for a monster 10-year deal, which will see him paid in the vicinity of $14 million back in March, the club was in a different position.
At that stage, Newcastle under coach Adam O’Brien had started the season by winning their first two games, with Kalyn Ponga looking at his imperious best.
But after struggling in attack throughout the whole season, which saw them rank dead last for points scored, the Knights would end up finishing as the wooden spooners, with O’Brien losing his job.
This now sees Justin Holbrook get a second chance as an NRL coach following his stint with the Gold Coast Titans.
And after chatting with the 49-year-old, Brown is looking forward to playing anywhere in the side, whilst also relishing the chance to play with new signing Sandon Smith.
“I met up with him the other week,” he said.
“We didn’t talk too much about footy, but I told him I was open to play anywhere he needs me to.
“There’s a lot of new signings, obviously Sandon Smith just signed too, that’s awesome to see another half up there.
“He’s a big-time player. I’ve seen a lot of him this year, and he showed how good he is.
“Yeah, I can’t wait to play with him.”
Brown has been named once again as the starting five-eighth for the Kiwis ahead of their Pacific Championship clash against Tonga on Sunday.
Following the conclusion of the championship, with New Zealand likely to feature in the Pacific Cup final, he will then get ready for his first pre-season with the Knights.
