Brian Kelly departs Titans for Eels in club's efforts to add 'greater attacking dimension'

Jarred Cross
Jarred Cross Published January 5, 2026 at 10.00am (AWST)

Parramatta have moved to replenish their backline stocks with experience, luring Brian Kelly away from the final year of his contract at Gold Coast with a two-year deal at the Eels.

Kelly has been granted an early release from the Titans to join the Sydney club for at least the 2026 and 2027 seasons.

The 29-year-old centre has made 190 NRL appearances since debuting for Manly in 2017.

The Bundjalung man is an Indigenous All Stars, NSW Country, Junior Kangaroos and Prime Minister's XIII representative.

He appears to be a piece of the Eels' plans to replace NSW Origin star Zac Lomax, who departed Parramatta one season into a four-year contract at the club linked to the now turbulent proposed R360 rugby competition.

Kelly, who's scored 66 tries at the top level, has featured in 20 or more games in seven of his nine seasons.

"The Titans can confirm Brian Kelly has been granted an early release from the final year of his contract to take up an opportunity with the Parramatta Eels," Gold Coast said in a statement on Monday.

"The Titans thank Brian for his contribution over the past seven seasons and wish him all the best in his future endeavours."

Eels general manager of football Mark O'Neill said: "We had an opportunity to strengthen our outside backs which was a positional area of need, and Brian certainly fits that need very well for us."

"Jason (Ryles, Parramatta head coach) and the coaching staff are looking forward to working with Brian who adds a greater attacking dimension to our game," he said.

Last week, the Titans signed Māori All Star Mawene Hiroti from the Sharks on a two-year future deal from 2027.

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National Indigenous Times

Disclaimer: This function is AI-generated and therefore may mispronounce.