I’d pay him $1.2 million’: Legend backs Knights’ Dylan Brown chase amid contract standoff

Fox League expert Greg Alexander has backed Newcastle’s pursuit of Kiwi Test five-eighth Dylan Brown, saying the Knights should be prepared to pay $1.2 million per season to land the marquee pivot.

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Premiership-winning halfback Alexander, one of the most respected voices in rugby league, also rated the scenario as shattering for new Eels coach Jason Ryles on the eve of the start of the 2025 season.

Off the back of Fox Sports Australia revealing the Knights were planning to table Brown a $6 million-plus, six-year deal to quit the Eels from the end of this season, Alexander rated Brown as worth the asking price his agents are talking.

Fox Sports Australia has learned Brown’s contract for 2025 is worth around the $750,000 mark, with the Eels refusing his agent’s request to bump up the deal in order to remove the round 10 get out clause.

From 2026 onwards Brown’s deal skyrockets to more than $1 million per season until the end of 2031.

The Knights have crunched the numbers and are prepared to table Brown a monster deal worth more than $6 million plus in total – but only in the Eels five-eighth is serious about leaving Parramatta.

It’s shattering for the Eels on the eve of the season for Jason Ryles to be in a battle now to retain someone that you would definitely want to retain,” Alexander said.

I read yesterday where Parramatta are not willing to up his money to remove that clause.

“I can see the situation that they’re in. They don’t want to be bending over and they want to show strength.

But it might cost them Dylan Brown too. So it’s a difficult situation for the Eels.

Then again they allowed the clauses to be put in in the first place.”

Fox Sports Australia has learned Brown’s contract for 2025 is worth around the $750,000 mark, with the Eels refusing his agent’s request to bump up the deal in order to remove the round 10 get out clause.

From 2026 onwards Brown’s deal skyrockets to more than $1 million per season until the end of 2031.

The Knights have crunched the numbers and are prepared to table Brown a monster deal worth more than $6 million plus in total – but only in the Eels five-eighth is serious about leaving Parramatta.

“It’s shattering for the Eels on the eve of the season for Jason Ryles to be in a battle now to retain someone that you would definitely want to retain,” Alexander said.

“I read yesterday where Parramatta are not willing to up his money to remove that clause.

“I can see the situation that they’re in. They don’t want to be bending over and they want to show strength.

“But it might cost them Dylan Brown too. So it’s a difficult situation for the Eels.

Then again they allowed the clauses to be put in in the first place.”