Countless Parramatta Eels fans remain in disbelief following what they describe as the club’s baffling decision to make Dylan Brown co-captain ahead of the round 10 clash against the Broncos on Friday night.
It comes after the Kiwi international, 23, was initially stood down by the NRL in June last year after he was charged with five counts of sexual touching following an incident at the Golden Sheaf Hotel in Sydney’s east.
Brown later faced court and convictions were recorded, with the playmaker handed an 18-month community corrections order.
He was also issued a seven-game ban from the NRL and fined $40,000 – half of which was suspended – in addition to at one stage being banned from entering any pub in the suburb where the offence occurred.
With regular leaders Clint Gutherson and Mitch Moses currently sidelined due to injury, Brown was announced on Thursday as co-captain with Junior Paulo ahead of the showdown with Brisbane.
Countless Parramatta Eels fans remain in disbelief following the club’s baffling decision to make Dylan Brown co-captain ahead of the round 10 clash against the Broncos
It comes after the Kiwi international (pictured outside court) was stood down by the NRL in June last year after he was charged with five counts of sexual touching following an incident at the Golden Sheaf Hotel in Sydney’s east
One Eels fan bluntly declared on X: ‘You lot are your own worst enemies’
Another poked fun at Brown’s alcohol-fuelled conduct in a Sydney pub, joking he was ‘grabbing the opportunity’
A third couldn’t believe the club’s tone deaf decision, stating ‘great, reward a guy that fondles’
Many bemused Eels supporters were quick to post their displeasure at the development on social media.
‘The people in charge of Parramatta aren’t up to running a successful club. What a disgraceful decision. Gee I hate being a supporter of this club at times,’ one supported fumed.
A second bluntly posted: ‘You lot are your own worst enemies.’
A third weighed in with: ‘great, reward a guy that fondles [women].’
Parramatta coach Brad Arthur labelled Brown ‘reliable’ as he confirmed the captaincy news.
‘He is inspirational in terms of his effort and how he just competes,’ he said.
‘Dylan, he is so reliable.’
Meanwhile, Gutherson has been ruled out for at least four weeks after having surgery on his knee.
The fullback’s injury comes at a horror time for the Eels, who now enter a brutal stretch of NRL fixtures.
In the next month, they face the likes of Brisbane, Melbourne Storm and ladder leaders Cronulla.
Arthur’s men currently sit in 12th spot, having won just three games to date in 2024.
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