Eels coach Jason Ryles has explained the decision to play Dylan Brown at hooker and lock for just 40 minutes of the Eels’ 32-10 loss to the Panthers.
Brown was moved to hooker to start the game with Joash Papalii at five-eighth and he came off after half an hour so new recruit Tallyn Da Silva could play dummyhalf and did not return until the last six minutes of the game.
“It’s just our future’s now, so we want to get on with it,” Ryles said.
“And I had a really good conversation with Dylan and he was all on board for it and he’s been really receptive of it and obviously the way he played sort of reflected that too and then Joash had an opportunity at No.6.”
Ryles explained that Brown is on board with the decision to give other players a chance in the final third of the season, given he will move to the Knights in 2026.
“He’s been really good right from when he made his decision to move on,” Ryles said.
“He’s been really receptive of anything that we’ve put to him and he’s a really good person and he’s a really selfless person for our footy club, so whilst he’s still here he’s happy to do whatever is best for the team so it’s just a good reflection of his character.”
Ryles later also explained the decision to take Dylan off and switch him to lock in the second half.
“No, there was no planning around how to get him back on,” Ryles said.
“But we wanted to get Tallyn on at around the time that we did get him on and then I basically Dylan’s really clear with where he stands with it.
“It was when he comes back on, it could be there or it could be No.13 and then we’ll just keep working on where we get him on and when we get him on. It will just be dependent on how the game pans out.”
However, Ryles wouldn’t commit to the same plan for Brown next week with Ryley Smith due back.
“Ryley’s back next week so come in on Tuesday or Wednesday and we’ll sit down and put the names up and see what it looks like and obviously consult with Mitch and Junior and our leadership group and see what it looks like, the best balance but we’ll just do our best to get our best players on the field all at once,” Ryles said.
Ryles revealed Papalii will get first shot at the No.6 jersey for the rest of the season and potentially in 2026.
“Well, he’ll get the first opportunity and then we’ll just see what it looks like going forward,” Ryles said.
“He’s going to take a little bit of time to find his way.
“I think he’s five or six games in, so we’ll just let him keep working on his game and let that keep evolving.
“And then obviously our spine was young tonight for periods there, but that’s where we’re going with the club.
“We’ve decided to take that approach and I’m really comfortable with it and I just need to get him on the field as often as possible for as long as I can and just get their lessons while they’re developing.”
