Will Dylan Brown hand his next team - the Knights - the wooden spoon?

1 week ago 4

He has signed the richest contract in rugby league history, ostensibly on the basis that he can help transform Newcastle into premiership contenders.

But before Dylan Brown clocks on for his first lucrative shift with the Knights, he has one last job at Parramatta, and it could leave his future employers in a world of pain.

In a remarkable irony, Brown has been recalled for his 142nd - and last - appearance for the Eels, which happens to be Sunday’s final-round clash with Newcastle at CommBank Stadium.

From a Parramatta perspective, there is little riding on the outcome other than the chance to send Brown out on a winning note, end coach Jason Ryles’ rookie season with a third successive victory, and climb from 12th to 11th on the ladder, leapfrogging Wests Tigers.

But for the Knights, there is plenty at stake.

After slumping to eight consecutive defeats, Newcastle are second last on the competition ladder, two points ahead of Gold Coast. But the Titans have the superior for-and-against points record, -207 compared to -244, which gives them hope that they can stage a last-round escape.

Parramatta’s Dylan Brown on the attack against Newcastle in the trials.

If the Titans - in Des Hasler’s last game as head coach - can beat Wests Tigers at Cbus Super Stadium on Saturday, they will climb above Newcastle, courtesy of their points differential.

The Knights - in Adam O’Brien’s last game as head coach - would then need to beat the Eels on Sunday to avoid finishing last.

It’s a prospect that O’Brien has been loath to contemplate.

“I don’t want to even think about it to tell you the truth,” he said after last week’s 40-16 loss to Cronulla.

Dane Gagai delivers a don’t argue against the Titans.

In contrast, the subject has been weighing heavily on the mind of acting Newcastle skipper Dane Gagai, who was at the Knights from 2015-17, when they spent three successive seasons in the cellar.

According to Champion Data statistics, Gagai is in danger of joining an unwanted club that currently contains only one member. A former teammate of his, journeyman front-rower Jack Stockwell, is in a league of his own after featuring in four wooden spoon teams in the NRL era - three at Newcastle and one with Gold Coast.

“I’ve been through three wooden spoons, and obviously we’re not sitting in a good spot now … it’s up to us to make sure we go back and do what we need to do so we can put in a performance next week to finish the season off strong,” Gagai said.

While Gagai and Brown will be teammates next season, on Sunday, they will be on a collision course.

Kiwi international Brown has been reinstated at five-eighth for one final fling alongside long-time halves partner Mitchell Moses, having been used at hooker, centre, and as Parramatta’s 18th man in recent weeks.

Brown has already featured in two wins against Newcastle this year - 44-18 in the pre-season and 28-6 in round 11 - scoring tries in both games.

A repeat performance on Sunday would allow him to farewell Parramatta with his head held high. It’s unlikely it would be so well received in his future hometown.

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