The manager of Eels five-eighth Dylan Brown has taken aim at clubs after a leaked email revealed his plans to shop the superstar around.
Gavin Orr sent an email to 16 NRL clubs asking for expressions of interest in Brown despite him being contracted to Parramatta until the end of 2031.
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Brown's management company emailed prospective clubs seeking expressions of interest for the 2026 season.
After the news leaked, Orr sent another email – which has again been leaked – spraying clubs.
"I am disappointed that my actual email to CEO's/head of football/ NRL coaches/recruitment managers has been leaked within minutes to the media," Orr wrote.
Dylan Brown of the Eels. Getty
The 24-year-old Brown has to take up a contract option before round 10 of the upcoming season to guarantee his place at Parramatta.
However, even then, this will not completely confirm his stay at Parramatta until 2031 with the last six years of the deal including further options.
His contract is reportedly worth close to $1 million a season.
Because of the 'walk away' clause, the Eels have reportedly been speaking with Brown's manager Chris Orr for several months in an attempt to remove the options.
"It's really just a safety clause we put in Dylan's contract knowing a change of coach was likely," Orr told Wide World of Sports last October.
However, as the two parties have been unable to come to a resolution, Orr has begun seeking expressions of interest from other NRL clubs as well as rugby union clubs.
"Please revert back to Gavin and I on email to register your club's interest in securing the services of Dylan Brown for season 2026 and beyond," the email sent by Orr and obtained by the Herald read.
"Once we finalise the level of interest, we will work with you to set up an appropriate time to catch up with Dylan.
"These type of 'franchise players' don't come on the market very often."
The club's general manager Mark O'Neill has since responded to the reports and hopes to see Brown remain in blue and gold long-term.
Dylan Brown of the Eels. Getty
"It's well publicised that Dylan has an option in his contract that expires in round 10," he told the Herald.
"We wanted to be proactive and get a resolution earlier and preferably before the season begins. Dylan is happy at the club, he has been here since he was 16 and we have put a lot of time into Dylan during his career.
"We are confident he is going to stay and have a great season."
Brown was a standout for the Eels in 2024, taking over the playmaking reins when halfback Mitchell Moses was sidelined with injury.
Moses also has player options in his contract for 2027 and 2028.
