Dylan Brown Breaks Silence: Social Media Detox Fuels Stunning Comeback as Eels Plot Season Revival
Parramatta five-eighth Dylan Brown has revealed that stepping away from social media has been a key part of managing the intense scrutiny following his decision to leave the club at the end of the 2025 NRL season. The 24-year-old playmaker recently signed a lucrative 10-year deal with the Newcastle Knights, sparking a mixed reaction from Eels supporters and putting him under the spotlight during a difficult start to the season.
Parramatta’s 0-4 opening run only added pressure, but the return of star halfback Mitchell Moses has helped lift the side — and Brown in particular — with the duo combining impressively in Monday’s much-needed win over the Wests Tigers. Brown, who was at his dynamic best, ran for 201 metres and looked sharp with the ball in hand, benefiting from the direction and structure Moses brings.
“I’ve been off Instagram for a bit now and it’s helped a lot,” Brown said. “Once you stop seeing the noise, you can just focus on what matters. Spending more time with my family has made a huge difference — that’s where I’m happiest.”
Brown credited Moses with restoring confidence in the team, describing his halfback partner as a calming and commanding presence. “It’s all the little things with Mitch — the game management, the kick finishes, the organisation,” Brown said. “When he talks, everyone listens because he always seems to make the right decision. That gives us all belief.”
Despite sitting at the bottom of the ladder, there’s a sense of optimism around the Eels camp. Promising signs have emerged, particularly from fullback Isaiah Iongi and a trio of young forwards — Ryley Smith, Sam Tuivaiti, and Kitione Kautoga — who are showing potential to be long-term first-graders.
With Moses back and the team regaining rhythm, Brown believes the Eels can build momentum heading into the middle of the season, starting with their Magic Round clash against the Sharks. “There were games where we missed chances, but now with Mitch back, I think we’re going to fly,” he said.
