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.
7Lachlan Lam (Leigh Leopards)
Moving away from the NRL in 2021 to play overseas under his father, Adrian Lam, Lachlan has found career-best form for the Leigh Leopards and is in the prime of his career at the moment which saw him lead PNG to win the Pacific Bowl against Cook Islands and Fiji.
Contracted for less than 12 months with the Leopards, Lam has been constantly linked with a move back to the NRL in the past and was even linked with a potential move to the Canberra Raiders in 2023 before they signed Kaeo Weekes and Ethan Sanders.
Without a club at the moment for next year, Lam is the ideal replacement for Dylan Brown and has showcased that he can excel at the highest levels if given the opportunity.
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“I'm at a time in my career and an age where you need to look after yourself," Lam told Love Rugby League.
“I think it's (the NRL) always on my radar. I'm not desperate to go back. I love being here and my partner loves being here. If the right teams and deal comes up, it would make us think about it for sure.
“It's a good position for us to be in, I guess. It's on my terms. We're a free agent now effectively and whatever comes forward, we'll look at it and do what's best for us at the end of the day.”
