⚡️ SYDNEY, NSW — The Parramatta Eels have moved swiftly and decisively in the player market, opening urgent discussions with the Gold Coast Titans to secure veteran centre Brian Kelly. This targeted pursuit aims to immediately bolster the Eels’ backline depth following the sudden and significant departure of star winger Zac Lomax, who was granted an immediate release after just one season to pursue opportunities outside the NRL.
Kelly, a proven attacking weapon and Indigenous All-Stars representative, has emerged as the primary target for the Eels as they look to stabilise their roster for the 2026 NRL season.
A Ready-Made Replacement Amid Roster Turmoil
The 29-year-old Kelly is contracted to the Gold Coast Titans until the end of 2026, but the Titans have reportedly informed him he will not be re-signed beyond that date. This has prompted the centre and his management to explore opportunities elsewhere, making Parramatta a highly appealing destination for a potentially longer-term deal beyond his current commitment.
Parramatta’s pursuit is driven by an immediate need for experienced quality in their outside backs. The abrupt exit of Lomax, who was reportedly on a salary close to $700,000, has freed up crucial salary cap space, giving the Eels flexibility to move quickly. Kelly, with approximately 190 NRL games and 66 tries across his time with the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles and the Titans, offers exactly the kind of battle-hardened consistency the club requires.
New Eels coach Jason Ryles views Kelly as an experienced option who could immediately provide a hard edge to the backline. Kelly would likely form a talented centre pairing with rising star Will Penisini, though his versatility also allows him to cover the wing, adding vital depth to a backline that currently relies on established names like Josh Addo-Carr and Bailey Simonsson.
Addressing the Defensive Question Mark
While Kelly’s attacking prowess is well-documented—he was a Paul Broughton Medal winner (Titans’ Player of the Year) earlier in his career—his defensive consistency has been highlighted as a potential concern in the past.
However, it is understood that Coach Ryles believes he can tighten up that area of Kelly’s game if the Eels secure his signature. The club is betting that Kelly’s maturity and experience, combined with the structural demands of the Eels’ system, will result in a net positive return.
Kelly’s potential exit is part of a wider, significant roster overhaul underway at the Titans under new coach Josh Hannay. The club has already overseen the departures of several high-profile players as it actively shuffles its playing list and manages its salary cap dynamics.
All parties—the Eels, the Titans, and Kelly’s management—are now working through the financial details of a possible early release from the Titans. If a deal can be struck at the right price, the move is viewed by many as an astute piece of NRL recruitment by the Eels, plugging a crucial hole with a player who brings valuable experience and strike power. His signature would be a clear signal that the Eels are serious about quickly rebuilding their backline around a core of proven NRL talent and pushing for a return to NRL Finals contention in the coming seasons.