Parramatta Eels club boss’ vow to fans amid Dylan Brown, Mitchell Moses contract saga
Parramatta Eels powerbrokers have declared they’ll no longer allow for player options to be inserted in contracts as they sweat over the futures of Dylan Brown and Mitchell Moses.
Brown has until round 10 to decide whether he wants to go elsewhere or stay at the Eels until the end of 2031, all because of a player option in his contract. He has a similar option in two years.
Moses also has a player option for 2027, with his contract lasting until the end of 2028. The halfback has until October 31 to decide if he’ll stay on past 2026.
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Parramatta officials have come under fire as a result of the contract ordeals but in an Eels members forum a pledge was made.
Chief executive officer, Jim Sarantinos, explained via The Sydney Morning Herald, his club are “working through with their managers” with the hope of having them “resolved as quickly as possible”.
New chairman Matthew Beach, who replaced Sean McElduff, described it as “a really important topic”.
“There are three additional points I’d like to make more broadly in relation to player options,” he said.
“The first point is we haven’t entered into a player contract that has an option for about two years; May 2023 was the last time we entered into a contract with a player option.
“Point two, since that time we’ve signed or retained 22 to 24 players since [then] without issuing player options.
“Thirdly, we will not be issuing player options going forward.”
‘Never again’: Eels vow to end contract clauses that could cost them Brown, Moses
Parramatta have vowed the player options that could result in star halves Dylan Brown and Mitchell Moses walking out on the club early will never again be allowed in future contracts.
The Eels are sweating on a decision on Brown, who under the terms of his contract has until round 10 to sign with a rival from next year, despite having a deal with the blue and golds until 2031. Even if he decides not to exercise it, Brown has another get-out option he could trigger in two years’ time.
It means that even if the Kiwi international recommits now, the circus currently surrounding his next career move could repeat itself just as new cashed-up franchises enter the competition.
Halves partner Moses also has an option in his favour that could result in him being on the move before his contract expires. So too Will Penisini, whose future beyond this year remains uncertain.
Brown is on a deal worth $975,000 for this year, rising to $1.1 million a season thereafter should he remain an Eel. The Knights are considering whether to table an offer that would blow Parramatta out of the water amid suggestions it could take as much as $13 million over 10 years to lure him away from the Eels.
It’s a huge sum for a player who didn’t even make this masthead’s list of the top 50 players in the game.
The issue of player options was raised at a Parramatta member forum, fronted by new coach Jason Ryles, new chairman Matthew Beach, chief executive Jim Sarantinos and head of football Mark O’Neill.
“This is obviously a topic that’s had a lot of coverage,” Sarantinos told the gathering of 250 Eels members.
“We have three players on our list at the moment with player options. You have Dylan and Will Penisini with player options for 2026 and that option needs to be exercised by round 10. The third player is Mitchell Moses, his option is in relation to 2027, so Mitch is tied up for ’25-26 with us. His option is to be exercised by the 31st of October, so that’s at the end of this season.
