The loss of star playmaker Dylan Brown has left a huge hole for the Parramatta Eels to fill. I will be breaking down the players that the Eels might want to target for 2026 and beyond.
Lachlan Galvin – The 19-year-old was given his opportunity in Round 1 last year, his first year after high school, where he led Westfield Sports to the National Schoolboys Championship. He was truly impressive in his first season in the NRL. He is off contract come November 1, and his manager has informed the Wests Tigers that they will be testing the open market. Having been a Parramatta Eels junior, it makes perfect sense for them to try and attract him back to the club he supported as a youngster. They will not be the only club chasing his signature, however. He has a very bright future ahead, and clubs are always in the market for halves. Being so young and talented, he will likely receive significant contract offers from various teams.
Will Pryce – A name that may not be mentioned often, Will Pryce is off contract at the end of the season and has barely been given a chance at the Knights. He is a highly touted English player with bags of talent, and he could fit in seamlessly next to Mitch Moses in the halves. Possessing a good running game and flair in attack, his current deficiency is his defense, which he would need to work on to be able to play in the NRL week in and week out.
Jack Cole – Having come through the ranks as a Penrith junior, Cole appeared to be potentially behind Blaize Talagi after Talagi arrived from the Eels this offseason. However, surgery to Talagi hampered his preseason and allowed Cole the opportunity to step up and make that spot his own, which he has done to start the year. If he eventually loses the 6 jersey to Talagi, it would not surprise me if he considers looking elsewhere, considering Talagi is signed long-term.
Tyran Wishart – A player whom Jason Ryles knows personally after his stint at the Melbourne Storm, the Storm will look to do everything they can to keep him at the club, as he is one of the game’s best utilities. But all Wishart needs is an opportunity with a starting role somewhere, and he could shine. He seems to be a total professional on and off the field, and Ryles may look to a player like Wishart to bring a winning culture (STORM) to Parramatta.
Jonah Pezet – Another Melbourne player here, but like Wishart, Ryles knows him and his ability. Pezet currently has a clause in his contract that allows him to opt out, depending on Jahrome Hughes’ contract situation at the club.
Just a final side note on this whole situation that the Eels have found themselves in: This is yet another case of poor management in terms of recruitment and retention. Player options have really hurt this club and its opportunity to have any form of immediate plan or future.
The club did not try to keep Sanders, as he was given an opportunity to sign with the Raiders. Then, Blaize Talagi decided to opt out of his player option for the 2025 season and sign with the Penrith Panthers. Both of these players likely did not see a future at the club in the halves, in their preferred positions, due to the age of Brown and Moses. This really goes to show how badly the club has been run, not being able to foresee the consequences of the contract situations they had.
You also cannot begrudge Dylan Brown for taking up this deal—simply a deal too good to turn down. This is solely on the Parramatta board for not realizing the danger they were putting the club in with this decision.
