Willie Mason questions surprising part of Dylan Brown’s blockbuster move to Newcastle

NRL great Willie Mason has joined a chorus of critics questioning Newcastle’s blockbuster move for Dylan Brown.

Brown will quit the Eels at the end of this season and become the owner of the most valuable contract in NRL history after agreeing to a 10-year deal worth a staggering $13 million.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Willie Mason weighs in on Dylan Brown’s deal.

The 24-year-old has spent most of his NRL career as a five-eighth, but will be quickly expected to make the switch to halfback and become the first No.7 to lead Newcastle to a premiership since Andrew Johns.

The position switch is what Mason struggles to understand.

“I’m not surprised by 10-year deal, but to go to Newcastle for a 10 year deal as a halfback ... he’s played five-eighth his whole career,” Mason told 7NEWS.

“I don’t understand that, I know Dylan Brown’s a fantastic player and he’s got a big future but I don’t see it up in Newcastle.

“I was a little bit surprised (and) I think some players up in Newcastle they’ll have something to say about that.”

Mason was left wondering what will happen to regular halves Jack Cogger, Tyson Gamble and Jackson Hastings and if one or more will depart.

“I’m thinking, I’m glad to have him in our squad, but if I’m Cogger, if I’m Gamble, if I’m Hastings ... I’m like ‘we’re No.7s’,” he continued.

“But it’s probably going to bring the best out of them. So it’s probably a good thing for Newcastle because when you got a guy like Dylan Brown coming up, he’s gonna start straight away.

“So does Cogger go, does Gamble go, does Hastings go? Do they all go?

“I’m not sure what happens. They’re gonna be pretty formidable, but they need a No.7, Brown’s not a No.7, he’s a No.6.”

On the other side of the ledger, Mason is predicting a bleak year for the Eels.

“Eels most probably get a wooden spoon for this,” he boldly declared.

“You have some players that are disgruntled, you got (Mitch) Moses out for like six to eight weeks, Dylan Brown signed somewhere else, new coach, it’s just going to be one of those years when it’s tough to be tough to be a Parra fan.”

Johns was among those to raise concerns over Brown’s capability to become a No.7, having previously spent a year working as a consultant at the Eels.

“Everyone’s entitled to their own opinion, but I’m the one on the footy field, doing my best,” Brown said on Wednesday.

“That’s all I can do, and when I go to the Knights, nothing’s going to change.”

Brown’s running play and off-the-cuff talent have never been in doubt, but his ability to control a team has been questioned, especially when Mitchell Moses has been unavailable for Parramatta over recent seasons.

Brown struggled to make an impact in the Eels’ season-opening 56-18 loss to Melbourne, with Moses watching on with a foot injury.

But the prospect of him linking up with Kalyn Ponga is an enticing prospect for Newcastle as they await official confirmation of his signature.

“I’ve obviously met with them and the way we are going to play ... numbers on the back (of my jersey) hasn’t been discussed,” Brown said.

“There’s lots of talent there... I’ve obviously been a six all my career, and last year I had an opportunity to fill that number.

“(Playing as a No.7), I’m learning on the go, nothing happens quickly like that, it takes time.

“This year Mitch has been out, so I’ve got more chance to practise.

“I’m willing to learn. I’m willing to take on the challenge.’‘

Brown also said security and not money was his main driver in agreeing to join the Newcastle Knights on the NRL’s most lucrative and lengthy contract.

Asked if he thought he was worth the $13 million Newcastle had laid out over the next decade, Brown said: “Money has never really been a thing for me, it’s the 10 years of security.

“I just signed a deal with Parra before (in December 2022), and that was 10 years and it was purely based on security.

“I never wanted to leave and I had a few discussions with Parramatta and they put forward their best contract, and the Knights’ (offer) was too hard to turn down.

“It’s the longevity of the contract, not so much the money, but it is a lot of money.”

Brown’s contract is not yet signed off — the playmaker is subject to the NRL’s 10-day cooling-off period — but there appears little chance the New Zealander will have a change of heart.

- With AAP