‘For my family’: Brown opens up on Eels departure, as he addresses the media ahead of Parramatta’s Round 2 fixture against Wests Tigers, hoping for true Eels Fans…..

The Knights coach fronted the media ahead of their clash against the Dolphins on Thursday night. Yet the interest in the Round 2 clash was almost non-existent as the club’s 10-year deal for Brown loomed large over the press conference.

Dylan Brown opens up on reason for leaving Parramatta Eels

I’ve been here a long time and I’ve never really wanted to leave but there’s other reasons to leaving. It’s my family, the game’s not long and I’m trying to look after myself and my family.” Brown is determined to ensure this week’s decision does not distract from Parramatta’s quest to return to the finals in 2025

“The Dylan Brown situation, it has a process to go through and I reckon I’ll respect that process,” O’Brien explained.

“I’ll find a different way to give you the same answer,” he replied when he was asked for the second time about Brown.

“I understand the question…There will come a time and place to talk about Dylan, but right now I’m focused on tomorrow night and the halves we have there.”

Meanwhile, down in Sydney, Brown was fronting the cameras after confirming his departure from the Eels the night before via a social media post.

The 24-year-old answered every question posed to him by the assembled media pack, explaining his motivations for joining the Knights, highlighting which players excited him and what conversations he’d had with O’Brien.

“The Knights have put a lot of faith in me,” Brown said.

“They put 10 years in front of me and I didn’t think I was ever going to leave Parramatta, to be honest.

“I’ve never really wanted to leave but there’s other reasons for leaving. The game isn’t long and I’m trying to look after myself and my family, so I’m happy with my decision.”

The extensive contract, which will take Brown through until the end of the 2035 campaign, will be the most lucrative in NRL history.

But Brown insisted that it wasn’t the dollars that lured him to the Knights, rather it was the security.

“Money has never really been a thing for me,” Brown said.

“It’s 10 years of security. I just signed a deal before this with Parra for 10 years and that was purely based on security as well.

“I was already on good money here at Parra. I never wanted to leave and had a few discussions with them. They put forward their best contract and the Knights were just too good to turn down.

“It’s the longevity of the contract, not so much the money. But it is a lot and it does good things for my family.”

What position will Dylan Brown play for Newcastle Knights?

While O’Brien remained steadfast in his refusal to talk about his star recruit, the man himself was by this time already discussing his potential move to halfback.

The Kiwi has worn the No.6 jersey all his career, leading to raised eyebrows about his ability to command the Knights.

Brown has had some practice at the role due to Mitch Moses’ absences in the past but he has often struggled to dictate games with the No.7 on his back.

However, he stated that he was ready to fulfil that role if that was what was required to turn Newcastle into a title threat.

“I’ve met with them and we’ve discussed how we’re going to play,” Brown said.

“Numbers on the back haven’t been discussed. But if it happens [takes No.7 jersey] I’m happy to learn and take on the challenge.

“[O’Brien] just said he’s a fan of my game and encouraged me to play out of my skin.

“The team was a factor. They’ve got Kalyn Ponga at the back. Fletcher Sharpe is also an amazing player, so I looked at those people when making my decision.

“I wish I could have made my decision earlier to not disrupt the start of the season but I had to take my time because it’s a pretty big deal.”

Brown will now essentially have all the time in the world to build a combination with a new band of attacking talent.

Yet as he attempts to do so, his name will continue to dominate headlines.

Talk of his hefty price tag could become a new discussion point that leaves O’Brien uncomfortable if the playmaker is unable to deliver the goods that such a vast display of faith has attempted to purchase.