Dylan Brown
{{Short description|New Zealand international rugby league footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox rugby league biography
|name = Dylan Brown
|fullname =
|image = Dylan Brown Kiwis.jpg
|image_size =
|position = {{rlp|FE|HB}}
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|2000|06|21|df=y}}
|birth_place = Auckland, New Zealand
|height = {{convert|183|cm|ftin|abbr=on}}
|weight = {{convert|85|kg|stlb|abbr=on}}
|club1 = Parramatta Eels
|year1start = 2019
|year1end = 25
|appearances1 = 137
|tries1 = 36
|goals1 = 0
|fieldgoals1 = 0
|points1 = 144
|appearances2 = 0
|tries2 = 0
|goals2 = 0
|fieldgoals2 = 0
|points2 = 0
|teamA = New Zealand
|yearAstart = 2022
|yearAend = 23
|appearancesA = 8
|triesA = 2
|goalsA = 2
|fieldgoalsA = 0
|pointsA = 12
|new = yes
|source = [http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/dylan-brown/summary.html Rugby League Project]
|updated = 9 June 2025
}}
Dylan Brown (born 21 June 2000) is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer who plays as a {{rlp|fe}} for the Parramatta Eels in the National Rugby League and New Zealand at international level.
Background
Brown was born in Auckland and grew up in Whangarei, New Zealand and is of Samoan{{Cite web |date=2020-10-08|title=Parramatta Eels star Dylan Brown eyes off AllBlacks switch |url= https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/eels-star-eyes-code-switch-to-fulfil-all-blacks-dream-20201007-p562yx.html |access-date=2024-11-04 |language=en-NZ}} and Niuean heritage.
He played his junior rugby league for the Hikurangi Stags.
Aged 15, Brown moved to Sydney, Australia to pursue an NRL career with the Parramatta Eels. He attended and graduated from The Hills Sports High School.{{Cite web |date=2022-07-24 |title=Dylan Brown - New Zealand Rugby League |url=https://nzrl.co.nz/players/dylan-brown/ |access-date=2023-06-04 |language=en-NZ}}
Early career
Brown played for Parramatta's Harold Matthews Cup and S.G ball squad. In 2017 he led the S.G. Ball Squad to the grand final where they were victorious 30–22 over the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks.
Later on in the year he went on to debut for the Eels in the under 20s Holden cup team in the middle of the 2017 season, at the age of 17. In 2017, Brown led the Holden Cup squad to the NYC Grand Final, losing to the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles.
Brown was then selected in the Australian Schoolboys later in the year at five-eighth, but withdrew from injury.{{Cite web|url=https://www.parraeels.com.au/news/2017/07/17/young-eels-named-in-australian-schoolboys-side/|title = Young Eels named in Australian Schoolboys side|date = 17 July 2017}}
Playing career
=2018=
{{Unreferencedsect|date=June 2025}}
In 2018, Brown started the year with a Jersey Flegg Cup and training on and off with first grade.
Towards the end of the year he debuted for the Wentworthville Magpies in the NSW Cup, playing five games.
This led him to being promoted to Parramatta's first grade squad for the 2019 NRL season, re-signing with the club until the end of the 2020 NRL season.
=2019=
In February, the New Zealand Warriors reportedly offered Brown a six-year contract worth $3 million, however Brown turned down the offer to stay with Parramatta.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/rugby-league/news/nrl-2019-new-zealand-warriors-parramatta-eels-dylan-brown-contract/1032e3v1qwebu1h1s1vu68btkg/|title=Warriors table $3 million contract to poach Parramatta prodigy Dylan Brown, reports|website=www.sportingnews.com|date=17 February 2019 }}
On 17 March 2019 Brown made his NRL debut in round 1 against the Penrith Panthers in a 20–12 win.{{cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/03/12/round-1-nrl-team-lists/ |title=Round 1 NRL team lists|publisher=NRL.com|date=12 March 2019}}
On 24 March 2019 Brown scored his first NRL try in round 2 against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in a 36–16 win.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/draw/nrl-premiership/2019/round-2/bulldogs-v-eels/|title=Bulldogs v Eels - Round 2, 2019 - Match Centre|website=National Rugby League|language=en|access-date=2019-04-27}}
On 2 April 2019, Brown was ruled out indefinitely after sustaining bone bruising on his back. It was reported that Brown had been suffering with the injury for an extended period and would sit out opposed training sessions to protect himself in order to play in matches.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/league/news/nrl-news-parramatta-eels-dylan-brown-back-injury-jaeman-salmon/nv6nd2i4sivi1r91rbtpt4j2c/|title=Parramatta rookie Dylan Brown out indefinitely with back injury|website=www.sportingnews.com|date=2 April 2019 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/teams/eels/eels-teen-star-dylan-brown-has-been-struck-by-an-unusual-injury-often-found-in-fast-bowlers/news-story/d481ef9e39ef9570d60a4a5aab089343/|title=Eels teen star Dylan Brown has been struck by an unusual injury often found in fast bowlers|website=www.foxsports.com.au|date=2 April 2019}}
In Round 15 against Canberra Raiders, Brown made his long-awaited return from injury as Parramatta came from 16-0 down to win 22–16 at TIO Stadium in Darwin.{{cite web|url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6247865/wighton-puts-hand-up-as-eels-slip-past-crap-canberra/|title=Parramatta Eels slip through Canberra Raiders' grasp|website=Canberra Times|date=29 June 2019}}
At the end of the 2019 regular season, Parramatta finished fifth on the table and qualified for the finals. In the elimination final against Brisbane, Brown scored two tries as Parramatta won the match 58–0 at the new Western Sydney Stadium. The victory was the biggest finals win in history, eclipsing Newtown's 55–7 win over St George in 1944. The match was also Parramatta's biggest win over Brisbane and, at the time, Brisbane's worst ever loss since entering the competition in 1988.{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-09-15/eels-make-history-with-58-point-finals-flogging-of-broncos/11505120/|title=Parramatta Eels eliminate Brisbane Broncos from the NRL Finals with a thumping 58-0 win|website=ABC|date=15 September 2019}}
On 3 December 2019, Brown signed a three-year extension, until 2023, with Parramatta worth $2 million.{{cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/12/03/dylan-brown-agrees-to-new-deal-with-eels/|title=Dylan Brown agrees to new $2m Eels extension|website=NRL|date=3 December 2019}}
=2020=
In round 16 of the 2020 NRL season, Brown was taken from the field with an ankle injury during Parramatta's 38–0 loss to South Sydney Rabbitohs. It was later revealed that Brown would require surgery on his ankle and would be ruled out indefinitely.{{cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/08/27/latrell-mitchell-exits-eels-contest-with-hamstring-injury/|title=Ruptured hamstring rules Mitchell out for rest of season|website=www.nrl.com|date=28 August 2020}}
=2021=
In round 9 of the 2021 NRL season, Brown was placed on report after diving over the top of Sydney Roosters player Drew Hutchison as he was in the act of scoring a try. Hutchison was rushed to hospital during the game with suspected broken ribs and a punctured lung. Brown was later suspended for three weeks over the incident.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/teams/eels/nrl-news-dylan-brown-suspension-eels-vs-roosters-drew-hutchison-injury-video-knees/news-story/57aaea6911715be20c597fa41e1b24c3/|title=Eels stuck in COVID bubble drama as awkward Magic Round problem comes to light|website=www.foxsports.com.au|date=9 May 2021}}
Brown made a total of 21 appearances and scored four tries in Parramatta's 2021 NRL season including the club's two finals matches against Newcastle and Penrith.{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-12/nrl-parramatta-eels-defeat-newcastle-knights/100436668/|title=Parramatta Eels defeat Newcastle Knights 28-20 in NRL elimination final|newspaper=ABC News|date=12 September 2021 }}{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-21/penrith-panthers-nrl-breach-notice-trainer-semi-final-parramatta/100479588/|title=Penrith Panthers handed NRL breach notice, fined $25,000 after incident in Parramatta semi-final|newspaper=ABC News|date=21 September 2021 }}
=2022=
In round 12 of the 2022 NRL season, Brown scored two tries including the winner in a 28-20 victory over Canberra.{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-05-29/nrl-live-bulldogs-dragons-raiders-eels-score-updates/101107860/|title=Parramatta Eels edge Canberra Raiders 28-20, Dragons beat Bulldogs 34-24|newspaper=ABC News|date=29 May 2022 }}
He made his international debut for New Zealand against Tonga in June.[https://www.therhinos.co.uk/2022/10/04/ones-to-watch-new-zealand-2/ ONES TO WATCH: NEW ZEALAND]
In round 23, Brown scored two tries for Parramatta in a 42-6 victory over arch-rivals Canterbury.{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-08-20/nrl-round-23-one-sided-games-roosters-sharks-eels/101352520/|title=Roosters, Eels and Sharks add pre-finals drubbings to one-sided round of NRL|newspaper=ABC News|date=20 August 2022 }}
Brown played every game for Parramatta throughout 2022 including the clubs 2022 NRL Grand Final loss to Penrith.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2022/oct/02/nrl-grand-final-2022-live-penrith-panthers-vs-parramatta-eels-scores-winners-win-team-news-lists-kickoff-start-time-game-score-updates-teams|title=NRL Grand Final as it happened|website=www.theguardian.com}}
In October Brown was named in the New Zealand squad for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.[https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/rugby-league-world-cup-2021-squad-lists/ Full list of every squad at the Rugby League World Cup 2021]
On 19 December, Brown re-signed with Parramatta until the end of 2025, with options to extend until 2031.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/rugby-league/news/dylan-brown-locks-long-term-future-parramatta-eels-extension/l628l3ky6azabocrljjkmfap/|title=Dylan Brown locks in long-term future with Parramatta Eels extension|website=www.sportingnews.com|date=18 December 2022 }}
=2023=
After serving a seven-match suspension which was handed to Brown by the NRL in relation to his sexual touching case, Brown was named to make his return in Parramatta's round 23 match against St. George Illawarra.{{cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2023/08/01/nrl-team-lists-round-23/|title=NRL Team Lists Round 23|website=www.nrl.com|date=August 2023 }}
Brown played a total of 17 matches for Parramatta in the 2023 NRL season as the club finished 10th on the table.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/rugby-league/news/nrl-2023-parramatta-eels-season-review/87bc005ef8afccb71c8cd224#:~:text=Following%20a%201%2D4%20start,to%20the%20Eels'%20poor%20season./|title=NRL 2023: Parramatta Eels season review|website=www.sportingnews.com|date=7 September 2023 }}
=2024=
In round 1 of the 2024 NRL season, Brown played his 100th first grade game in Parramatta's 26-8 victory over arch-rivals Canterbury.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2024-parramatta-eels-vs-canterbury-bulldogs-scores-updates-live-blog-replays-stephen-crichton-mitch-moses-cameron-ciraldo/news-story/0aefa4d6f143032275f8a1186326e209/|title=Dogs' Foxx fear compounds rough night; Eels may have finally solved big issue: What we learned|website=www.foxsports.com.au|date=9 March 2024 }}
Brown played a total of 24 games for Parramatta in the 2024 NRL season scoring five tries. The club would finish 15th on the table after a difficult campaign.{{cite web|url=https://www.nine.com.au/sport/nrl/news-2024-the-mole-exclusive-parramatta-eels-season-review-reagan-campbell-gillard-future-20240907-p5k8qj.html/|title=The Mole's end of season review: What went wrong at the Parramatta Eels?|website=www.nine.com.au|date=7 September 2024 }}
=2025=
Just a week into the start of the new NRL season, it was announced that Brown had signed with the Newcastle Knights on a 10-year deal, rumoured to be worth $13 million, starting in 2026.{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/dylan-brown-set-to-leave-parramatta-for-newcastle-knights-on-10-year-deal-20250310-p5lihp.html|title=Dylan Brown set to leave Parramatta for Newcastle Knights on 10-year deal|website=www.smh.com.au|date=10 March 2025 }}
Statistics
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Year !Team !Games !Tries !Pts |
| 2019
| rowspan="7" |{{leagueicon|Parramatta|16}} Parramatta Eels |15 |5 |20 |
| 2020
|18 |4 |16 |
| 2021
|21 |4 |16 |
| 2022
|28 |11 |44 |
| 2023
|17 |3 |12 |
| 2024
|24 |5 |20 |
| 2025
|11 |4 |16 |
| 2026
|{{leagueicon|Newcastle|16}} Newcastle Knights | | | |
| |Totals
|134 |35 |140 |
Controversies
In June 2023, Brown was charged with sexually touching a woman without consent at a pub in Sydney's eastern suburbs.{{Cite web |title=NRL star Dylan Brown charged with sexual touching of woman |url=https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/06/04/nrl-star-dylan-brown-charged-with-sexual-touching-of-woman/ |access-date=2023-06-04 |website=1 News |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2023-06-04 |title=Eels star charged with sexual touching after alleged pub incident |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/teams/eels/nrl-2023-dylan-brown-charged-with-sexual-touching-news-latest-update-bail/news-story/9033ebaec563114cc86f8d97b2e0c11f |access-date=2023-06-04 |website=Fox Sports |language=en}}{{Cite news |title=NRL: NZ Kiwis star Dylan Brown charged with 'sexual touching' after incident at Sydney bar |language=en |work=Newshub |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport/2023/06/nrl-nz-kiwis-star-dylan-brown-charged-with-sexual-touching-after-incident-at-sydney-bar.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604060450/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport/2023/06/nrl-nz-kiwis-star-dylan-brown-charged-with-sexual-touching-after-incident-at-sydney-bar.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 June 2023 |access-date=2023-06-04}} A statement was later released by the Parramatta club following the allegation.{{Cite web |date=2023-06-04 |title=Club Statement |url=https://www.parraeels.com.au/news/2023/06/04/club-statement/ |access-date=2023-06-04 |website=Parramatta Eels |language=en}}
On 7 June 2023, Brown was stood down by the NRL from playing through their no-fault policy.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/jun/07/nrl-intervenes-to-stand-down-dylan-brown-under-no-fault-policy-following-charge/|title=NRL intervenes to stand down Dylan Brown under 'no-fault' policy following charge|newspaper=The Guardian|date=7 June 2023 |last1=Sport |first1=Guardian }}
On 28 June 2023, Brown pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual touching. He was convicted of touching a woman's breasts without her consent and sentenced to an 18-month Community Corrections Order.{{cite web |url= https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-06-28/nrl-dylan-brown-pleads-guilty-groping-woman-pub/102536226 |title=Dylan Brown pleads guilty to groping woman |publisher=abc.net.au |access-date=28 June 2023}}
On 3 July 2023, Brown was handed a breach notice by the NRL which included him being banned for seven games and fined $40,000, with half suspended.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2023-dylan-brown-suspension-how-many-games-sexual-touching-how-big-was-the-fine-40000-seven-games-parramatta-eels/news-story/d6c41a8021fd2ea951f9a68d9bdf6e11/|title=Eels star slapped with seven-game ban and massive fine after 'sexual touching' arrest|website=www.foxsports.com.au|date=3 July 2023 }}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- [https://www.parraeels.com.au/teams/telstra-premiership/parramatta-eels/dylan-brown/ Eels profile]
{{Parramatta Eels squad}}
{{New Zealand 2021 Rugby League World Cup squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Brown, Dylan}}
Category:New Zealand rugby league players
Category:New Zealand national rugby league team players
Category:New Zealand sportspeople of Samoan descent
Category:Parramatta Eels players
Category:Rugby league five-eighths
Category:Rugby league halfbacks