Dolphins set their sights on Eels star
THE Dolphins have formally expressed interest in Dylan Brown in the strongest sign yet Wayne Bennett is targeting the Kiwi Test star to become his marquee signing.
Brown officially became a free agent on Tuesday and the Dolphins have wasted no time launching a poaching raid for the Eels pivot, who played a key role in Parramatta’s surge to this year’s NRL grand final.
Dolphins recruitment chiefs have contacted Brown’s management requesting a meeting with the classy fiveeighth when he returns from New Zealand’s World Cup campaign in the next fortnight.
Last month, News Corp revealed Brown and Eels halves partner Mitchell Moses were on the Dolphins’ hit list as Plan B options following Cameron Munster’s decision to stay loyal to the Storm.
Now the Dolphins have upped the ante, making formal moves to sign Brown as pressure builds on the new expansion team to finally land a bigname franchise player.
The Dolphins launch their historic pre-season on Monday and Bennett will go into the club’s debut 2023 season without a bona fide superstar in his 30-man roster.
Brown is available for the 2024 season and while five other clubs are chasing his signature, the Dolphins have the salary-cap funds to win a $1mplus bidding war.
Brown’s management confirmed the veteran of 82 NRL games is in hot demand following the best season of his career helping the Eels to their first grand final in 13 years.
“Once Dylan returns from his break we will certainly sit down and discuss his future,” said Chris Orr of PSM. “It would take a massive deal to pull him out of (Parramatta).”