If the Eels aren’t going to play Dylan Brown in his position, they might as well let him join the Knights now, while Lachlan Galvin’s immediate future in the Bulldogs team is uncertain.
Read on for the key Talking Points from Round 19.
EELS’ BROWN SWITCH QUESTIONED AS RYLES EXPLAINS BOLD CALL
What does Dylan Brown’s role at Parramatta look like for the rest of 2025?
Well, it is murky at best if Sunday’s cameo against the Panthers is anything to go by.
The Eels’ decision to play Brown at hooker and lock in their 32-10 loss to the Panthers was called into question after he played just 40 minutes out of position.
Brown is set to join the Knights on a record $13 million deal in 2026, but Fox League’s Andrew Voss believes he might as well go now if he is going to play this role at the Eels.
“I’ll say this. Dylan Brown’s days at Parramatta may as well be over now. There’s no point,” he said.
Voss was particularly gobsmacked Brown only came back on with six minutes to play after being taken off after half an hour.
“That’s incredible. This beggars belief,” Voss said, while Greg Alexander called Brown’s limited role “pretty weird”.
“Watching Dylan’s performance with Mitch Moses and even without Mitch Moses, I don’t think the desire to do everything he can to win the game is ringing true,” Alexander added.
NRL great Michael Ennis, meanwhile, said he couldn’t understand how Brown playing out of position helps the club win footy games, adding it was “definitely” done with an eye to the future.
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Ennis’ suspicions were confirmed by Eels coach Jason Ryles post-game, who said in his press conference that Brown is on board with the decision as the club looks to the future.
“It’s just our future’s now, so we want to get on with it,” Ryles said.
“And I had a really good conversation with Dylan and he was all on board for it and he’s been really receptive of it and obviously the way he played sort of reflected that too and then Joash had an opportunity at No.6.
“He’s been really good right from when he made his decision to move on.
“He’s been really receptive of anything that we’ve put to him and he’s a really good person and he’s a really selfless person for our footy club, so whilst he’s still here he’s happy to do whatever is best for the team so it’s just a good reflection of his character.”
Matty Johns said on Sunday night that he “respected” the decision from Ryles to prioritise the future, although it does also cloud Brown’s role at the club this season too after the Eels coach wouldn’t commit to the same plan next week with Ryley Smith due back.
“Ryley’s back next week so come in on Tuesday or Wednesday and we’ll sit down and put the names up and see what it looks like and obviously consult with Mitch and Junior and our leadership group and see what it looks like, the best balance but we’ll just do our best to get our best players on the field all at once,” Ryles said.
Panthers ease past Eels for 5th in a row | 02:45
DOUBTS AROUND GALVIN’S PLACE IN THE SIDE AFTER SHOCK AXING
Lachlan Galvin was dropped for the Bulldogs’ 12-8 win over the Cowboys and it remains to be seen if he fits into their best 17 at all for the rest of the year.
The Bulldogs said they dropped Galvin for tactical reasons, but given they won to break a two match losing streak there are doubts they can carry another back on the bench if they want to push for a title.
Fox League’s James Hooper said the return of Jaeman Salmon against the Bulldogs and Kurt Mann next week will make it even more difficult for Galvin to get into the team.
“It is a fascinating narrative in that Lachlan Galvin was named in the 17 on the bench, where he has been featuring for the Bulldogs since his switch from the Tigers mid-season,” Hooper said.
“But there has been a bit of noise around the Bulldogs’ attack being clunky and Galvin’s arrival changing a winning formula and potentially being disruptive, so the fact that he is out tonight and they have won, that’s a huge victory for Cameron Ciraldo because this week he called it ridiculous some of the commentary around all the chopping and changing.
“We saw Reed Mahoney punched out 80 minutes tonight and made 55 tackles and Reed certainly wasn’t happy when he got hooked a couple of weeks back to accommodate Galvin being on the bench.
“It is going to be a fascinating puzzle now for Ciraldo to see how his best 17 fits together because he has got all these utility style gun players from Bailey Hayward to Jaeman Salmon who returned tonight.
“Now Galvin who isn’t in the 17. They kept it quiet. It only started to go around late today that they were going to leave Galvin out of the team, so I think they are aware of how big a talking point it is going to be and I think the fact that they got the two points is a big win for them.”
Bulldogs legend Braith Anastas said the noise around Galvin won’t go away, particularly if he has an extended run out of the team.
“Regardless of whether they like it or not it is going to continue to be a big talking point because of the position the Bulldogs are in, the success they have had over the past couple of years and where they have landed now,” Anasta said.
“They are a chance to win a premiership. It is going to be interesting because after tonight’s game does it change anything? Do they leave him out now or does it depend on who you are playing against or the conditions?”
However, NRL great Cooper Cronk believes Galvin will play a role when other players are rested in the lead up to the finals, but he can’t see him in the best 17 if everyone is fit.
“I think all those things come into play when you are a coach, but ultimately if you are trying to win a prelim final and a premiership you have got to 25 players that are willing to do it,” Cronk said.
“So he will play a role whether it is on the bench or No.7 at some stage, he will play a role.
“Remember this is a Bulldogs side who will rest Stephen Crichton and a couple of others like Max King and Kurt Mann at some stage.
“They will evolve that team, but if it is four weeks out from the finals and you are still moving that jigsaw puzzle around, I would probably say he is out of the side because you have got to mix up Hayward, Mann and Salmon who are smaller bodies.
“If you come up against the Panthers, Storm or Broncos, you are going to have to have some big bodies that can handle the opposition.”
Anasta warned the Bulldogs need to settle on combinations if they want to win the big games at the end of the year.
“The reality is they are going to have to improve on tonight’s performance in time for the finals so they are going to have to build combinations,” Anasta said.
How does Ciraldo solve Galvin puzzle? | 05:17
WALSH STARS AS HUNT MAKES SOLID RETURN IN BRONCOS ALL STAR SPINE
It only took 19 weeks, but the Broncos finally unveiled their all star spine with Ben Hunt joining Reece Walsh, Ezra Mam and Adam Reynolds in their 26-14 win over the Titans.
It wasn’t prefect, but Walsh continues to mature and take his game to greater heights as the Broncos stalk a top four spot.
Walsh finished with 123 metres from 12 runs to go with three tackle busts, an offload, two linebreak assists, a try assist and a try in a brilliant display.
Matty Johns noted the difference Walsh and Mam have made since returning to the team as the Broncos have gone on a five match win streak.
“The Broncos make it five in a row and Walsh continues to improve,” Johns said.
“What a massive difference him and Ezra make.”
Bryan Fletcher believes Walsh is getting back to his best after a season hampered by a knee injury.
“They have certainly got some sharpness about them,” Fletcher said of Walsh and Mam.
“In the second half it was the class of their outside backs.
“He’s come along with that knee injury and he is almost back to his best.”
Nathan Hindmarsh noted Walsh is at his best when he doesn’t force the issue too much and overplay his hand.
“He’s not trying too hard,” Hindmarsh said.
“I think he is just playing the game of footy where he doesn’t think he has to be setting up every try that the Broncos are going to score and I think when he has that mindset he is fine.”
Johns was also impressed with the hooker combination of Hunt and Billy Walters.
“I thought the one-two punch at hooker worked well,” Johns said.
“Ben Hunt into Billy Walters off the bench was terrific again.”
Hunt had 28 tackles with just two misses and some slick service, while Walters had 18 metres, two tackle busts, a linebreak, 17 tackles and a try off the bench.
Hunt was pressed on how he felt in his first game back and couldn;t resist a dig at his skipper after some early confusion between the pair.
“It was not too bad, the old lings were burning a bit, but I think the confusion down on the try line was Reynolds the old fella he wasn’t calling so it wasn’t my fault,” Hunt said.
‘Fire in the belly! Cleary chats Origin | 09:14
THE ‘UNDERRATED’ SHARK KEY TO CRONULLA’S FINALS HOPES
Entering Round 19, there won’t too many teams under more pressure than the Cronulla Sharks.
The Sharks had fallen out of the eight after two straight losses, and to be any chance of finishing top four, they simply had to win on Friday night against a red-hot Dolphins outfit.
Coach Craig Fitzgibbon would have loved what he saw, as Cronulla dominated the game for 75 minutes to run out 24-12 winners.
Barring a five minute period in the second half when the Dolphins scored two tries, the Sharks were well in control.
Key to their victory was the play of hooker Blayke Brailey.
Brailey is one of the Sharks’ more consistent performers and probably doesn’t get the raps he deserves.
The crafty No. 9 caused headaches for the Dolphins’ defence all night, making plenty of metres out of dummyhalf (87 metres from seven runs).
Brailey also set up two of Cronulla’s four tries and was a workhorse in defence with 42 tackles.
The Fox League panel sung the praises of Brailey post game.
“When they blew the Broncos out of the water in the first half (in Round 16), it was on the back of this guy’s work at of dummy half,” Kevin Walters said.
“He’s got good deception as well. He’s not so much an underestimated player but he’s a very important player in this Sharks side.
“When he’s running the ball he’s lethal. Dan (Ginnane) said in commentary if he has more than five runs a game, the Sharks win 80% (four from five) of their games.”
Greg Alexander added: “He has been one of the Sharks players who has been playing up to what Craig Fitzgibbon wants from his side.
“Tonight he was outstanding.”
Former NRL star James Graham believes Brailey and the Sharks could look even better than they did on Friday night with a little help from Brailey’s teammates.
Graham noticed that Brailey would often make probing runs without any support play.
“Do you feel as if the Sharks players are still a step behind him though? Watching it live I was screaming for fullback (Will) Kennedy and the likes to be around him,” Graham said.
“I think the Sharks still need to progress how they attack when Brailey runs because he’s getting through half gaps.
“I’d like to see more of those support players.”
Hynes inspires Sharks’ win over Dolphins | 01:57
BELLAMY HEAPS PRAISE ON STORM STAR AFTER CLASSY DOUBLE
Eliesa Katoa continued his stunning season with a brilliant double for the Storm in their 32-14 win over the Knights.
Katoa ran for a whopping 158 metres from 12 runs to go with three tackle busts, an offload, a linebreak, 29 tackles and two tries.
The Storm were struggling down 8-2 before half-time, before Katoa helped turn the tide for the visitors and his performance drew praise from coach Craig Bellamy.
“He never ceases to amaze to be quite honest,” Bellamy said.
“Some of the stuff he comes up with, obviously he’s made a name for himself competing for high balls and scoring off kicks, but he found some different ways to score today.
“The season he’s having for us is quite unbelievable. I can’t believe we were lucky enough to pick him up.
“He hasn’t just been consistent at doing this or that. He has been brilliantly consistent the whole season and he was one that changed the game today.
“He has been a great player for us this year and hopefully he can keep it up.”
The Storm have now won six games in a row as they keep the pressure on the Raiders for the minor premiership with a points differential of plus 220.
Mal Meninga believes the Storm can now afford to rest some players over the remaining two months, given they have no byes left.
“I think they are in a healthy spot on second on the ladder going into the back end of the year,” Meninga said.
“I think they can afford to rest some of their players one at a time to get through the back end so everyone becomes pretty fresh for the finals. They are the favourites for the title at this stage.”
Bellamy impressed with Origin players | 12:11
ROOSTERS YOUNG GUN’S ’SNAPSHOT OF THE FUTURE’
Backing up from Origin is the norm for representative players, but after a series victory in his first year representing his state, Rob Toia still turned up for the Roosters.
The 20-year-old is one of the leading contenders for the Dally M Rookie of the Year award and delivered a strong performance in the Maroons’ series-deciding win.
Four days later he was excellent for the Tricolours, having sat down with skipper James Tedesco who has backed up after Origin duties on countless occasions.
For Trent Robinson, Toia’s maturity and ability to turn up for his club side speaks volumes about the young gun’s future.
“Mal (Meninga) asked me in the telecast before the game just about how he was interested how he was going to back up,”
“I felt the same, I was really interested. Teddy (Tedesco) spoke to him yesterday in our meeting, just about backing up from Origin as a young guy.
“And that was really impressive. This kid, it’s been a good week for him, he’s done some great stuff.
“There’s a long way to go but that was a nice snapshot of his mindset the way that he played today.”
The 20-year-old has long been touted as a star of the future, but injuries hampered him during his time in the Roosters pathways system, suffering two ACL ruptures.
Slater called him into his Maroons backline after only 10 NRL games, labelling him a “world class centre”.
“I think he is a top line centre. Although he is only ten games into his NRL career, he has been through a bit of adversity,” Slater said when unveiling his Game I team.
“I know his coach has a really high opinion of him and watching the principles he has in his game, we think he is of Origin class.
“Looking forward to having him and looking forward to helping build his game into our footy team.”
Toia went on to prove Slater correct, handling the Origin pressure cooker with poise and dampening the attacking efforts of his opposite man Latrell Mitchell.
Should he continue to develop at this rate, it’s fair to say Toia could become one of the game’s most dangerous attackers and an equally adept defender.
Roosters edge Dragons in thriller! | 02:50
TERRIFIC EARLY SIGNS FOR WARRIORS’ METCALF REPLACEMENT
With Luke Metcalf out for the rest of the season with an ACL injury, the Warriors are placing their trust in former Titans half Tanah Boyd.
After starring for the ladder-leading NSW Cup side this season, Boyd made his NRL debut for the club against the Tigers on Sunday.
Metcalf is undoubtedly a huge loss, but Boyd, who played 69 games for the Gold Coast, didn’t miss a beat in the Warriors’ No. 7 jersey.
“That’s their first game without Luke Metcalf. Tanah Boyd did a good job. He was involved in a lot of good things and did plenty right,” Fox League’s Greg Alexander said.
Barring a Tigers try in the opening two minutes, the Warriors were able to dictate terms for the vast majority of the game.
Boyd was a huge reason why, guiding the Warriors’ young pack around the park and putting his team in position to make plays.
His performance didn’t go unnoticed by his coach Andrew Webster.
“We were privileged to know what Boyd has done for us when he hasn’t played an NRL game, we’re really big on our reserve grade challenging our first grade at training and he’s done that every single week,” Webster said.
“Luke was doing such a great job and he has just waited patiently for his opportunity.
“He didn’t have to come in and be Luke, he had to play the way he wanted to play and the team would adjust to him.
“I just said keep it really simple and I thought he was awesome.”
Webster is confident Boyd has the tools necessary to lead the Warriors on a deep finals run, believing his game compliments the team’s game style.
“He talks really well and everyone was clear on their roles and where they have to be. That’s his strength and he kicks really high and far and I thought he did an excellent job of that,” Webster said.
Even opposition coach Benji Marshall was impressed, telling reporters that he wasn’t taking Boyd lightly.
“He’s a first grader who’s played first grade before,” Marshall said.
“He has a lot of patience and he was absolutely dominating New South Wales Cup so we knew what he could do. He’s fitting into a team which is a well-oiled machine who knows the way they play.
“I thought he was outstanding tonight with the way that he controlled the game. He fit in and they didn’t miss Metcalf, although he’s a good player, I thought Boyd did a good job tonight.”
Webster lauds Metcalf replacementin win | 07:32
