Dylan Brown isn’t the answer to the Knights’ problems: They’re throwing away $1.4 million annually for one compelling reason.

OPINION

The decision-makers at Newcastle have spent an excessive amount of time mulling over the possibility of signing Dylan Brown, yet they seemingly neglected to consider whether it was in their best interest to do so.

Now, Brown is set to join the steel city, sealing the richest deal ever in rugby league—an estimated $14 million over a decade commencing in 2026.

This implies that next season, the Knights will roster the two highest-paid players in the NRL.

Brown’s reported earnings will be just shy of the $1.4 million annually afforded to superstar fullback Kalyn Ponga, with the potential for further increases if the salary cap rises.

Together, the salaries of both players will account for nearly 25 per cent of the club’s total salary cap next season.

Could this assist them in ending a premiership drought that has lingered since 2001?

Individually, both Ponga and Brown are remarkable talents in rugby league.

Ponga stands out as a superstar in his role, whereas Brown possesses considerable talent but is yet to deliver it consistently to be regarded among the elite.

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Up until now, his reputation has stemmed largely from his potential rather than his tangible accomplishments.

Brown is recognised as a very promising five-eighth, though he is not a halfback.

For those who wish to argue that he has the capacity to lead a team as the primary playmaker, take a look at Parramatta’s recent dismal performance against Melbourne.

In fact, watch any of the Eels’ matches from last season when Mitchell Moses was absent.

Without halfback Moses, the Eels appeared aimless, highlighting Brown’s struggle—or inability—to fulfil that role.

“This isn’t a criticism … it’s just the truth. Dylan is a six,” former Knights player Matty Johns, who has mentored some of rugby league’s finest playmakers, stated on Fox League on Monday night.

“A very capable six, but he is not a seven.”

Cooper Cronk—regarded as one of the best modern-era halfbacks—expressed disappointment with Brown’s performances when Mitchell Moses was sidelined last season.

If both Cronk and Johns question someone’s ability to play halfback, there’s a strong likelihood they won’t be able to play that position.

What Newcastle requires urgently is a skilled halfback.

Brown may be a valuable addition if there were already a reliable No.7 at Newcastle to work alongside him.

Having Brown at six, Ponga at fullback, and a genuine halfback directing play would undoubtedly position them as strong premiership contenders.

However, introducing Brown into the current Knights setup might improve their performance slightly, but it doesn’t resolve their primary concern.

Since Mitchell Pearce’s departure in 2021, Newcastle has lacked a top-tier halfback.

“It has been demonstrated that you need representative-quality playmakers to compete for premierships in this competition. That’s a fact,” Phil Gould stated on Nine’s 100% Footy on Monday.

“There are only a select few who can perform at that level… Dylan Brown is perhaps one of the more explosive young ball-runners in the competition, which explains why they have made this leap.”

Pennant’s standout Nathan Cleary elaborated on how a Brown-Ponga partnership could flourish.

“There’s been quite a bit of discussion about him being a six instead of a seven, and he’s obviously been recruited by Newcastle as a seven,” Cleary noted on 100% Footy.

“Yet one aspect of his game that I find appealing is how square he plays, which I believe will create ample space for Kalyn out the back.

“I believe he and Kalyn could develop into a truly dynamic and formidable partnership.”

Oh, how Newcastle fans—myself included—wish for Nathan Cleary to join the Hunter.

Without a doubt, both Brown and Ponga are lethal offensive threats, and the Knights also have other talents like Bradman Best and Fletcher Sharpe.

However, without a legitimate halfback, this long-suffering supporter fears that Newcastle’s supporters will witness the same old issues next season—getting into scoring positions only to fall apart when it counts.

Let’s hope I’m proven wrong, for the sake of Darren Albert.