Cracks at Brookvale, the Eels' New Reinforcement, and the "Reggie" Rumpus

t’s been a week of quite remarkable upheaval in the NRL, and Paul Kent is back to sift through the debris. From a heartwarming mascot reconciliation to a significant mid-season transfer, there’s plenty to delve into.

A Spot of Good News: Reggie the Rabbit Returns

We start with a rather lovely update regarding Reggie the Rabbit, the South Sydney mascot. Following what Kent called a bit of a “storm in a teacup” after an unfortunate run-in with a family from Cronulla, Reggie has offered his apologies and will be back on the pitch tomorrow night. At 81 years of age, the man inside the suit surely deserves a little leeway, especially given how difficult it must be to see out of those enormous ears. It’s heartening to see everyone move on without dragging the matter through endless committees.

Dylan Walker’s Immediate Move to the Eels

In a bit of a surprise, Dylan Walker has signed with the Parramatta Eels with immediate effect. His decision reportedly stems from a wish to return to Australia from the Warriors, and with Mitchell Moses sidelined for an extended period due to a troubling foot injury, the Eels were desperate for some added finesse and experience in the halves. Kent also weighed in on the growing debate around Dylan Brown, suggesting that since Brown is bound for Newcastle next year, coach Jason Ryles might be better off blooding the next generation rather than continuing the development of a player soon to depart.

Manly’s Internal Troubles: More Than Just a Contract Dispute?

The fallout from Daly Cherry-Evans’s announcement that he will leave Manly at the end of the season continues to ripple through the club. Kent hinted that things behind the scenes aren’t as “chummy” as they might appear, with whispers suggesting that owner Scott Penn is none too pleased with CEO Tony Mestro’s handling of the situation. Reports also indicate player discontent, with several members of the squad feeling uneasy about the club’s current direction. Still, Kent defended Cherry-Evans’s timing, arguing that by declaring his intentions early, he’s done the right thing by giving Manly cap space and time to plan for the future.

Can a 36-Year-Old Champion Still Cut It?

With clubs such as the Roosters, Bulldogs, and Dolphins reportedly circling Cherry-Evans, questions have arisen about whether age might finally catch up with him. While legends like Johnathan Thurston struggled in their final seasons, Kent believes Cherry-Evans’s body has held up remarkably well. He may not be the fastest, but he’s durable and rarely misses a match through injury. Kent cautioned, however, that players nearing the end often chase one last big paycheque, which can hurt their football. He expects Cherry-Evans to prioritise joining a contender rather than accepting an oversized salary at a struggling club.

The “Football Whisperer” and Manager Wars

The conversation turned to the accelerating influence of managers in the NRL’s “stock market” of player movement. Kent highlighted the growing power of figures such as Joe Weeby—known as the “Football Whisperer”—who advises stars like Cherry-Evans and Tedesco despite not being an officially accredited agent. He lamented how contracts seem to hold little weight these days, as managers continuously probe for better deals for their clients—and, of course, their own six per cent cut.

Watch the full episode on Fanatics TV.