Dylan Brown open to offers for 2026

[dice]

People forget the salary cap has gone up significantly recently. $1m is like $800k not long ago.

I am not suggesting that we should sign him. Just don't overstate the $1m.

Season	Salary cap
2023	$12.1M
2022	$10M
2021	$9.9M
2020	$9.8M
2019	$9.6M
2018	$9.4M
2017	$7M
2016	$6.8M
2015	$6.55M
2014	$6.3M
2013	$5.85M
2012	$4.4M

[King Salvo]

Season	Base Salary Cap	Motor Vehicle Allowance	Veteran & Developed Player Allowance	Total Top 30 Salary Cap
2023	$11,050,000	$100,000	$300,000	$11,450,000
2024	$11,250,000	$100,000	$300,000	$11,650,000
2025	$11,400,000	$100,000	$300,000	$11,800,000
2026	$11,550,000	$100,000	$300,000	$11,950,000
2027	$11,700,000	$100,000	$300,000	$12,100,000

https://www.nrl.com/operations/integrity/salary-cap/

[Qld Chook]

Yep that's just the going rate these days - the likes of Jackson Hastings is on $850k

Even Melbourne had to pay their young backup halfback Jonah Pezet $600k a year to stop him from going to the Knights

Sorry but I couldn't fathom Melbourne paying Pezet $600K, no way he got that there imo. He isn't even their first backup, Wishart is, and even he wouldn't be on that. It would destroy their cap.

[King Salvo]

Sorry but I couldn't fathom Melbourne paying Pezet $600K, no way he got that there imo. He isn't even their first backup, Wishart is, and even he wouldn't be on that. It would destroy their cap.

It's been reported Pezet was offered this money by the Knights - so maybe he got more than 600k a season to re-sign with the Storm.

The Knights were particularly keen on securing his services, offering him a reported $2.4 million, four-year deal.

https://www.sportingnews.com/au/rugb...bb33774fe9ffcc

[Qld Chook]

It's been reported Pezet was offered this money by the Knights - so maybe he got more than 600k a season to re-sign with the Storm.

The Knights were particularly keen on securing his services, offering him a reported $2.4 million, four-year deal.

https://www.sportingnews.com/au/rugb...bb33774fe9ffcc

I seriously doubt the Storm matched this offer. Players regularly stay at good clubs for less and the Knights halves have been a basket case, so he would've stayed for less to develop further till a better option comes along.

[MKCS]

I think the only thing that has held us back from being competitive with Panthers and Storm over the past 4 seasons is our spine and Teddy, Brown, Walker and Robson would be our best spine since 2019 by far and would likely be the 2nd best spine in the comp behind the Storm.

Brown will be the second best half off contract for 2026 season behind Jahrome Hughes. Sandon Smith isn't the answer and will never reach the heights of Brown or Hughes. Not worried about his inconsistency as Parramatta as a team are always inconsistent, that comes down to coaching and preparation more than individual players I think.

But his CV isn't anything to write home about.

24 years old with 123 games of first grade, 3 seasons of finals including a grand final appearance and 8 appearances for New Zealand. It's pretty impressive especially when you take into account that most footy players are at their peak in their mid 20s which he's only just entered.

[King Salvo]

I think the only thing that has held us back from being competitive with Panthers and Storm over the past 4 seasons is our spine and Teddy, Brown, Walker and Robson would be our best spine since 2019 by far and would likely be the 2nd best spine in the comp behind the Storm.

Brown will be the second best half off contract for 2026 season behind Jahrome Hughes. Sandon Smith isn't the answer and will never reach the heights of Brown or Hughes. Not worried about his inconsistency as Parramatta as a team are always inconsistent, that comes down to coaching and preparation more than individual players I think.



24 years old with 123 games of first grade, 3 seasons of finals including a grand final appearance and 8 appearances for New Zealand. It's pretty impressive especially when you take into account that most footy players are at their peak in their mid 20s which he's only just entered.

How do you know Sandon Smith won't be this so called answer - are you on the coaching staff ?

[MKCS]

How do you know Sandon Smith won't be this so called answer - are you on the coaching staff ?

It's just obvious that Sandon is never going to become this huge star player that a lot of the fanbase wants him to be. He's had 30 games of NRL experience at this point and it has been pretty hit and miss, he's a smaller guy without a long kicking game and the club doesn't seem to have great faith in him either which is why they signed Townsend. In my opinion Sandon is someone who will be a backup player for most of his career or might find a regular starting position/bench spot at a lesser NRL team. I don't believe he can lead the Roosters to a premiership or even play a suitable supporting role in a hypothetical premiership.

In comparison Dylan Brown is an established first grader, a rep player, has played in a grand final and could most certainly play a major part in winning us a premiership. A halves combination of Brown/Walker is a lot more exciting than Sandon/Walker.

[Rooster90]

It's just obvious that Sandon is never going to become this huge star player that a lot of the fanbase wants him to be. He's had 30 games of NRL experience at this point and it has been pretty hit and miss, he's a smaller guy without a long kicking game and the club doesn't seem to have great faith in him either which is why they signed Townsend. In my opinion Sandon is someone who will be a backup player for most of his career or might find a regular starting position/bench spot at a lesser NRL team. I don't believe he can lead the Roosters to a premiership or even play a suitable supporting role in a hypothetical premiership.

In comparison Dylan Brown is an established first grader, a rep player, has played in a grand final and could most certainly play a major part in winning us a premiership. A halves combination of Brown/Walker is a lot more exciting than Sandon/Walker.

He has only started 10 games - too small a sample size.
One of those 10 early last year against Souths he single handled blitzed them.

I'm willing to give him a full season before judging

[Rooster_6]

It's just obvious that Sandon is never going to become this huge star player that a lot of the fanbase wants him to be. He's had 30 games of NRL experience at this point and it has been pretty hit and miss, he's a smaller guy without a long kicking game and the club doesn't seem to have great faith in him either which is why they signed Townsend. In my opinion Sandon is someone who will be a backup player for most of his career or might find a regular starting position/bench spot at a lesser NRL team. I don't believe he can lead the Roosters to a premiership or even play a suitable supporting role in a hypothetical premiership.

In comparison Dylan Brown is an established first grader, a rep player, has played in a grand final and could most certainly play a major part in winning us a premiership. A halves combination of Brown/Walker is a lot more exciting than Sandon/Walker.

I think this is a false narrative, from what I've seen there is more fans who share your view and I'd say a large portion of fans on the fence than there are who expect him to be this huge star player as you say. And the current equation has more nuance to it than you're alluding to, I'm a big fan of Jake Elliott & Toby Rodwell. It's not like it's Sandon Smith or bust.

I'm also not sure an exciting partnership is what we need, Walker brings 110% of the flair and excitement. I'd like to see a little more control from his partner, I'm not sure Brown is the best pairing for Walker stylistically.

[ism22]

I think this is a false narrative, from what I've seen there is more fans who share your view and I'd say a large portion of fans on the fence than there are who expect him to be this huge star player as you say. And the current equation has more nuance to it than you're alluding to, I'm a big fan of Jake Elliott & Toby Rodwell. It's not like it's Sandon Smith or bust.

I'm also not sure an exciting partnership is what we need, Walker brings 110% of the flair and excitement. I'd like to see a little more control from his partner, I'm not sure Brown is the best pairing for Walker stylistically.

My view is that Walker's touted to be the superstar (he's certainly shown many glimpses of it) and Sandon's just gotta click with him to be a suitable 5/8.

If anything, the Walker/Hutch combination was solid because Hutcho was a no frills, big-body with a cool head. Though Hutcho was never going anywhere due to his lack of speed and charisma, he won us games by cooling the dumb-farkery outta everything, making his tackles and choosing all the safe options (which I'm sure our forwards appreciated after earning us solid field position).

Sandon's just gotta offer a bit more speed + charisma (not hard) and he'll go alright. I'm not bothered by him. If anything I'd be happy to see us back a young junior rather than punting 'em to sign another Cheezle.