Manly Sea Eagles front-rower Nathan Brown has confirmed that this NRL season will be his last, with the goal to move to the Super League next season.
Currently, Brown is off-contract without a deal for 2027 as Manly has changed how they will construct their roster, with the recent signings of Kayliss Fatialofa from the New Zealand Warriors, which had been exclusively reported by Zero Tackle, Toni Mataele from the Parramatta Eels, and Wests Tigers centre Starford To’a.
Brown is expected to play a role in the last remaining games this season, as the Sea Eagles face a lack of front-row depth against the Dolphins on Friday night in a big test this round.
Manly still hopes for a chance at making the finals this season after their first three winless games under previous coach Anthony Seibold, before turning to Kieran Foran, who has given the club and fans a lot of hope.
They will need to win all of their final four games to guarantee a spot in the top eight.
Speaking to AAP, Brown revealed that last summer he made the decision to play his 14th and final NRL season.
He explained why he made the call before the beginning of this season.
“I just knew it was my time to call it quits in the NRL … I made my debut in 2013, so it’s my 14th year. When your time’s up, your time is up,” Brown explained.
“The last thing I wanted to do was sit on the fence with whether I want to stay or go overseas.
“It’s just made everything a lot easier to go all in this year and enjoy every moment, every training session and every game.”
Known for his aggressive playstyle and back-fence running off a kick-off, Brown has made a career in the NRL since his debut in 2013 with the Wests Tigers.
Since his debut, he has played with the South Sydney Rabbitohs, Parramatta Eels, Sydney Roosters, and the Manly Sea Eagles, where he revived his NRL career with a train-and-trial deal.
He also played a valuable role in the Eels’ grand final appearance in the 2022 season and played in two Origin games for the New South Wales side in 2020 and 2022.
The 33-year-old is three games away from playing 200 NRL games and reflected on how he feels he’s evolved over the course of his career and how he used the past as a lesson for his future.
“I find it funny (looking back at old footage),” said Brown.
“When I started, I was a lot bigger. I wasn’t really that fit. I was a bit overweight for my size and my position. And I had a different attitude back then.
“But at the same time, you learn a lot from it. You feel grateful that you had to go through those things.”
Brown is not the only Manly forward retiring from the NRL, joining Siua Tauekiaho after he broke his leg in two places in May earlier this season.
Nathan Brown will leave the club as they have a new look front-row group.
Not only will Mataele join the club, but so will Davvy Moale, who is currently at the Melbourne Storm.
Simi Laiafi has made a strong impression in his rookie season alongside veteran Taniela Paseka.
If there’s one thing Brown can be proud of, it’s his role coming off the bench for the club.
“You don’t want to be finishing by just clutching at the straws and hanging on by a thread,” he said.
“I feel like I can probably still physically play another year in the NRL. But in the mental side of things, I’m just ready.”
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