Nathan Brown (rugby League, Born 1993)

Nathan Brown (born 1 March 1993) is an Italian international rugby league footballer who plays as a for the Parramatta Eels in the NRL.

He previously played for the Wests Tigers and the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the National Rugby League, and NSW City and the Prime Minister's XIII at representative level.

Background

Brown was born in Fairfield, New South Wales, Australia. He is of Italian ancestry on his mother's side. Brown attended well renowned rugby league school Patrician Brothers' College, Fairfield where he won MCS and state titles

He was a representative junior cricketer. He played his junior football for Farfield United, Cabramatta Two Blues, Five Dock RSL and Dundas Shamrocks, before being signed by the Wests Tigers.

Playing career

Early career

In 2012 and 2013, Brown played for the Wests Tigers' NYC team. On 30 September 2012, he played in the Tigers' 2012 NYC Grand Final win over the Canberra Raiders. On 18 July 2013, he re-signed with the Tigers on a 3-year contract.

2013

In Round 24 of the 2013 NRL season, Brown made his NRL debut for the Wests Tigers against St. George Illawarra. As Wests Tigers had exceeded their second-tier salary cap, the NRL had to grant a special dispensation for Brown to play as neither team could reach the semi-finals. However, Brown was precluded from playing in any further games for the season.

2015

On 2 March, Brown signed a 2-year contract with South Sydney effective immediately, after being released from his Wests contract. He made his South Sydney debut in round 6 of the 2015 NRL season against North Queensland. He finished off the year with seven games for Souths, starting in the second-row on two occasions.

2016

Brown was a regular in first grade in 2016, playing prop or lock. In round 13 he avoided suspension after attempting to kick a player in the groin. The next week, he was described as, "one of rugby league’s dirtiest players, biggest thug and throwback to the old days," after a late shot on Mitchell Moses. Coach Michael Maguire said, "Seriously I think he’s a good kid but he’s playing on the edge when fatigue sets in. He’s got to be more aware of those moments in the game." In September, Brown signed a 2-year contract with the Parramatta Eels starting in 2017.

2017

After a stellar first season with Parramatta, Brown was awarded the Ken Thornett Medal for being Parramatta's best player in 2017. Brown was named in the Italy training squad for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup. Brown played in all three of Italy's pool matches at the World Cup including the 46-0 demolition of the United States.

2018

On 6 March 2018, Brown signed a new contract to stay at Parramatta until the end of the 2020 NRL season. In Round 5 against Penrith, Brown suffered an ankle injury in the 12-6 loss and was ruled out indefinitely. On 2 June 2018, Brown made his long-awaited return from injury in Parramatta's 30-4 defeat by Newcastle.
Brown made a total of 15 appearances for Parramatta as the club endured a horrid season finishing last on the table and claimed its 14th wooden spoon.

2019

In round 1 2019 against the Penrith Panthers, Brown was taken from the field during the first half after damaging his left pectoral muscle. It was later revealed that Brown would be ruled out for 3 months.

Brown made his return to the Parramatta side against Cronulla-Sutherland in Round 13 which ended in a 42-22 loss at Shark Park.
In Round 23 against arch rivals Canterbury-Bankstown, Brown was placed on report and sent to sin bin after hitting Canterbury player Dallin Watene-Zelezniak with an illegal shoulder charge. Parramatta would go on to lose the match 12-6 in a shock loss at the new Western Sydney Stadium. with Brown receiving a two match suspension. On 7 October, he was named in the Australian side for the 2019 Rugby League World Cup 9s.

2020

On 13 May, Brown signed a contract extension with Parramatta, keeping him at the club until the end of the 2021 season.

Brown scored his first try of the year for Parramatta in the 2020 qualifying final against Melbourne at Suncorp Stadium where Parramatta lost 36-24.

Brown was selected for Game 2 and Game 3 of the 2020 State of Origin series for New South Wales. The Blues would suffer a shock 2-1 series defeat against Queensland.

2021

In round 19 of the 2021 NRL season, Brown provided one of the bombed tries of the year. With the score in Canberra's favour 12-6, Parramatta put up a bomb which was caught by Jakob Arthur, he then passed it to Brown who dropped the ball unmarked right near the try line. Parramatta would go on to lose the game 12-10.

Brown made a total of 24 appearances for Parramatta in the 2021 NRL season and played in both finals matches for the club as they were once again knocked out in the second week for a third straight season.

2022

On 16 June, Brown was demoted to reserve grade by the Parramatta club and given permission to negotiate with other clubs. Brown had 18 months remaining on his contract but he was informed by Parramatta that he was not part of their future plans.
After being left out of the Parramatta side for almost three months, Brown was named on the interchange bench for Parramatta in the 2022 NRL Grand Final against Penrith.
Brown only played 26 minutes in the 2022 NRL Grand Final as Parramatta were defeated 28-12 against Penrith.

References

External links

Parramatta Eels profileNRL profile2017 RLWC profileItaly profile

{{DEFAULTSORT:Brown, Nathan
1993 births
Living people
Australian people of Italian descent
Sportspeople of Italian descent
Balmain Ryde-Eastwood Tigers players
Italy national rugby league team captains
Italy national rugby league team players
New South Wales City Origin rugby league team players
New South Wales Rugby League State of Origin players
North Sydney Bears NSW Cup players
Parramatta Eels players
Prime Minister's XIII players
Rugby league players from Sydney
Rugby league props
South Sydney Rabbitohs players
Wests Tigers NSW Cup players
Wests Tigers players