Jason Ryles didn’t name Dylan Brown this week, so it came as a surprise when the Eels coach spoke about the five-eighth’s future.
According to Code Sports, Latrell Mitchell suffered a quad injury at training on Thursday—his first session back after a short break. The NSW Origin fullback has been ruled out of South Sydney’s clash with Penrith and isn’t expected to return until at least Round 24.
With the Rabbitohs’ finals chances virtually gone, coach Wayne Bennett has effectively drawn a line through Mitchell’s 2025 campaign, opting to prioritise his recovery over a rushed comeback.
Dylan Brown is still in the mix, according to Jason Ryles.
For the Dragons, Valentine Holmes will undergo shoulder surgery that is expected to sideline him for six months.
Meanwhile, Broncos prospect Blake Mozer is also set for surgery on a shoulder issue, compounding the broken jaw he suffered last weekend. Code Sports reports the young hooker will now target a 2026 return, his 2025 campaign cut short after battling shoulder troubles all year. Despite not featuring in first grade this season, Mozer remains highly regarded at Red Hill and has already secured an extension through to the end of 2027.
At Parramatta, there’s brighter news with star playmaker Mitch Moses on track to return next week. Coach Jason Ryles also addressed Dylan Brown’s absence from the Round 17 squad, stressing he doesn’t believe the departing five-eighth has played his last game for the Eels before his move to Newcastle at season’s end.
Here’s a rephrased version with smoother phrasing and flow:
“No, I don’t think he has—but I don’t have a crystal ball,” Ryles said.
“The option to play him again is definitely there … one thing’s for sure, he won’t be playing reserve grade. He’ll either be in the NRL side with us, or not playing at all.”
Earlier in the week, ex-Panthers forward Mark Geyer told 2GB he believed the Eels had “put the cue in the rack” by dropping Brown. Ryles rejected that suggestion on Friday.
“That’s simply not true,” he said. “Every training session we go out to improve, and every game we go out to compete for every play.”
As for Parramatta’s other marquee half, Ryles confirmed Mitch Moses will be named for the Round 21 clash against the Broncos. Moses has been sidelined with a syndesmosis injury and has featured in just six NRL matches this season.
