Parramatta Eels Shake Up Squad: Eight Players Axed as Dylan Brown Leads Star Exodus
The Parramatta Eels have officially farewelled eight players and one staff member as part of a significant squad overhaul ahead of the 2026 NRL season. The club confirmed the departures in the lead-up to their final match of the year against the Newcastle Knights, marking the beginning of a new chapter under incoming head coach Jason Ryles.
Among the previously announced exits is star five-eighth Dylan Brown, who is making a high-profile move to the Newcastle Knights on a long-term deal reportedly worth millions. Brown’s departure is seen as a major loss for the Eels, with the New Zealand international set to become one of the NRL’s highest-paid players.
Also previously confirmed were the retirements of forwards Shaun Lane and Bryce Cartwright, along with Joe Ofahengaue’s mid-season switch to the Leigh Leopards in the Super League. These moves signaled the beginning of a broader shift within the club’s roster.
Now, four additional players have been added to the departure list: hooker Joey Lussick, prop Wiremu Greig, young forward Dan Keir, and outside back Haze Dunster. All four were off-contract at the end of 2025 and have not been offered extensions. Lussick, who returned to the Eels in mid-2023, has fallen down the pecking order behind emerging talent Ryley Smith and recent signing Tallyn Da Silva. Greig, despite showing promise and earning a Maori All Stars cap, managed only 27 NRL appearances since debuting in 2021. Keir, once a standout at junior level, failed to establish himself in first grade. Meanwhile, Dunster’s career has been marred by injuries, including a recent Achilles tear that puts his 2026 pre-season preparation in doubt.
Additionally, Blair Mills, the club’s Head of Athletic Performance, will also be moving on.
Parramatta now has no remaining off-contract players for 2025, suggesting the club’s roster is taking shape. However, speculation continues around Brendan Hands, who may be moved on despite being signed through 2026. Ryan Matterson is expected to return from his English loan spell, while Bailey Simonsson’s future remains uncertain amid repeated release requests.
