After seven seasons at the Parramatta Eels, New Zealand international Dylan Brown's time at the club will come to a close at the end of the season as he will join the Newcastle Knights.

His departure means that the Eels will need to prepare for life without him and will produce a new halves combination next season and beyond as they aim to reach the NRL Grand Final for the first time since 2022.

Zero Tackle takes a look at ten realistic options that Jason Ryles and the Eels could choose to replace the New Zealand international playmaker and could pair up with NSW Blues and Australian Kangaroos halfback Mitchell Moses.

All the players on the list are either without a contract for next season, will hit the open market on November 1, have been linked with the club or rival teams, have an 'NRL clause' in their contract, or are currently playing at the Eels.

The options include five rival NRL players, three Super League playmakers who have taken their game to new heights after moving overseas following stints in the NRL competition and two individuals currently involved in the Parramatta Eels system.

10Toby Sexton (Canterbury Bulldogs)

NRL Rd 19 - Rabbitohs v Bulldogs
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 08: Toby Sexton of the Bulldogs passes during the round 19 NRL match between South Sydney Rabbitohs and Canterbury Bulldogs at Accor Stadium on July 08, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Off-contract at the end of 2025, Toby Sexton is a very viable option for the Eels and has taken his game to new heights since leaving the Gold Coast and joining the Canterbury Bulldogs.

Beginning last year in the NSW Cup, 2024 would end up being a breakout season for Sexton, who helped guide the Bulldogs to the 2024 NRL Finals and formed a great bond with Matt Burton in the halves.

This saw him force 15 drop-outs, score 14 points, provide 12 try assists and eight line-break assists and average 68 running metres per match.

Although he has opened contract talks with the Belmore-based club in regards to his future, an extension has yet to be finalised, meaning the Eels could potentially swoop in and secure his services.

โ€œToby has really found a home at the Dogs,โ€ his manager Tas Bartlett of Pacific Sports Management told The Courier-Mail.

โ€œI've had a couple of informal chats with โ€˜Gus' (football boss Phil Gould) and he wants to keep Toby around.โ€

Despite Sexton's manager's words, he is unlikely to be Burton's long-term partner. Mitchell Woods, Cassius Tia, and Joseph O'Neill are coming through the ranks, and he could depart in the hope of a longer-term deal.