Still no room for Brown at Eels despite fresh injury

Jasper Bruce | July 22, 2025

Parramatta coach Jason Ryles has stuck to his guns and left Newcastle-bound Dylan Brown out of the Eels’ NRL side even as Isaiah Iongi’s hand injury forces a fresh spine shake-up.

Star halfback Mitch Moses returns from the calf issue that ruined his State of Origin campaign and will face Brisbane on Saturday, when the Eels continue their fight to avoid the wooden spoon.

The injury to breakout fullback Iongi has pushed Joash Papalii from five-eighth to the back of the park.

But rather than recall five-eighth Brown, Ryles will play journeyman Dean Hawkins next to Moses, having previously insisted the Eels must prioritise planning for 2026.

Brown, who signed the richest deal in NRL history in March, is listed in the reserves as doubt grows as to whether he will play for the Eels again.

Rookie of the year candidate Iongi is expected to miss a month with the hand injury he suffered against Canberra last week.

Brisbane prop Payne Haas returns from the back issue that had hampered his preparations for the Origin decider, while Jesse Arthars has shaken off a rib injury to line up on the wing.

Corey Jensen has overcome a blood clot in his calf and takes a spot on the Broncos’ bench.

Trent Robinson’s halves experiment is over, with the Sydney Roosters coach calling Sandon Smith into the halves to face Melbourne at the expense of veteran Chad Townsend.

Townsend had a tough night on his surprise recall to the halves, which came as Robinson challenged Smith to lift his game out of the NRL side.

“He’s responded great,” said Roosters forward Victor Radley, who misses the Storm game with a minor shoulder problem.

“Being in the side and then dropped out would be really difficult but the type of bloke he is, he’s not a sook.”

First-choice five-eighth Hugo Savala is listed in the Roosters’ reserves as he looks to return from a wrist injury to help the side’s top-eight push.

Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen remains out with the calf injury that has sidelined him for three games, with five-eighth Cam Munster missing the game to attend his father’s funeral.

South Sydney have given Lewis Dodd his second start at halfback following a head knock to Jamie Humphreys, who joins a packed South Sydney casualty ward.

But Jye Gray returns from a thumb injury to play fullback against Cronulla in Gosford, with debutant Ashton Ward joining Souths’ bench.

Resurgent Manly welcome back gun second-rower Haumole Olakau’atu from a shoulder injury in the fight for a top-eight spot.

Their opponents, second-placed Canterbury, have Bronson Xerri returning from a minor groin issue.

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad returns from a knee issue to boost the Warriors’ top-four hopes as this week’s opponents Gold Coast lose Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, also due to a knee.

Scans have confirmed the Titans will be without their captain Fa’suamaleaui for a month as they fight to avoid the wooden spoon.

Liam Martin is listed in Penrith’s reserves so could return from a wrist injury to face Wests Tigers, with winger Brian To’o shaking off a knee injury in time to play.

The Tigers will hand former South Sydney winger Izaac Tu’itupou a club debut after impressive form in reserve grade.