After seven seasons at the Parramatta Eels, New Zealand international Dylan Brown's time at the club will come to a close at the end of the season as he will join the Newcastle Knights.
His departure means that the Eels will need to prepare for life without him and will produce a new halves combination next season and beyond as they aim to reach the NRL Grand Final for the first time since 2022.
Zero Tackle takes a look at ten realistic options that Jason Ryles and the Eels could choose to replace the New Zealand international playmaker and could pair up with NSW Blues and Australian Kangaroos halfback Mitchell Moses.
All the players on the list are either without a contract for next season, will hit the open market on November 1, have been linked with the club or rival teams, have an 'NRL clause' in their contract, or are currently playing at the Eels.
The options include five rival NRL players, three Super League playmakers who have taken their game to new heights after moving overseas following stints in the NRL competition and two individuals currently involved in the Parramatta Eels system.
2Te Hurinui Twidle (Parramatta Eels)
If the Eels do not look to the open market to find a replacement, Te Hurinui Twidle is another player they could promote from within the club and join Mitchell Moses in the halves.
After the club lost Blaize Talagi and Ethan Sanders at the end of last season, Twidle is seen as the best up-and-coming five-eighth in Parramatta's system and is destined for a bright future in first-grade.
Able to play at fullback or in the halves - just like Blaize Talagi - he was recruited from New Zealand and helped lead the side to the SG Ball Cup title in 2023 before spending last year plying his trade in the Jersey Flegg Cup.
Training with the club in the pre-season, the Eels have shown in the past that they are not shy to grant opportunities to the younger players coming through the system and Twidle is one of those.
Zero Tackle understands that he currently has a club option in his contract for next season which will see him elevated to a development deal but the club may decide to re-negotiate and grant him a spot in their Top 30 roster.
