Newcastle Knights $13million recruit Dylan Brown has revealed the ‘strange’ scenario which unfolded as he moved into a granny flat following his move from the Parramatta Eels.
The Kiwi international, 25, who was recently nominated for the Golden Boot award after guiding New Zealand to glory in the Pacific Championships, initially didn’t know what to think following an odd encounter in his new digs.
‘It was funny, I actually moved up [from Sydney] and there was a man living in the granny flat where I was supposed to live,’ Brown told reporters.
‘It was a strange welcoming, but we [family] made a new friend.’
Brown has been joined in the NSW Hunter Valley by his partner Bella and the couple’s baby boy Marley.
‘Any time you leave the house is sad when you have a new baby,’ Brown said.
‘It is probably the biggest thing that has happened to me in my life. Little Marley, he is awesome.
‘We love it [in Newcastle]. I haven’t had much to do with Newcastle, but within a week I knew I made a good decision.’
Brown, who made his first-grade debut with the Eels in 2019, inked his 10-year, $13million deal with the Knights in March.
While his talent has never been questioned, consistency is key for the playmaker, who will need to show Newcastle fans his life-changing deal was worth the price tag.
It remains unknown if Brown will play in his preferred position of five-eighth or halfback in 2026 under new coach Justin Holbrook.
After ‘winning’ the wooden spoon this year, Newcastle will look to hit the ground running when they tackle the North Queensland Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on March 1 AEDT in the NRL’s season opener.
According to the TAB, the Knights are rated a $51 chance to win the premiership alongside fellow battlers St George Illawarra Dragons and the Gold Coast Titans.
Brisbane ($5) are tipped to go back-to back, with Penrith ($6) and the Sydney Roosters ($7) also expected to be title contenders.
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