Eels coach Jason Ryles has been slammed by Parramatta fans for a head scratching decision about their $13m star on Sunday,
Despite being named in the No. 6 jersey and expected to play as usual at five-eighth, the Parramatta coach pulled a late change, moving Brown to hooker to start the game – a position he has never played.
The Eels are without regular starting No. 9 Ryley Smith who is suspended, but oddly decided to send his logical replacement Joey Lussick – who was named at hooker – to reserve grade.
And if that wasn’t strange enough, new recruit Tallyn Da Silva – who is expected to share the hooking duties with Smith moving forward – was selected on the bench.
Brown is widely regarded as one of the best halves in the game, which is why earlier this year signed a record $13m 10-year deal to join the Knights from 2026.
And given the fact that the Eels are currently without Mitch Moses, who is sidelined with injury, fans couldn’t understand Ryles’ decision to move their best half available to hooker and play rookie fullback Joash Papalii at five-eighth.
“Absolutely crazy from Ryles, I do not get it at all,” one fan wrote on X in response to the news that Brown was being deployed at hooker.
