Veteran Manly prop Nathan Brown declares 2026 will be his final NRL season

Nathan Brown told reporters that he decided at the start of the campaign that 2026 would be his final year in the NRL, a decision that allows him to focus fully on the season. The 33-year-old, who has played for Wests Tigers, South Sydney, Parramatta and the Roosters, is targeting a move to the Super League after his contract expires. He was called into the starting lineup for the first time in two years in Manly's Friday night clash with the Dolphins amid a shortage of forwards.

Brown aims to help the Sea Eagles secure a finals berth, needing to win their last four games, while the club also copes with injuries to players such as Taniela Paseka, Ethan Bullemor and Kobe Hetherington. The team has already signed Davvy Moale, Toni Mataele and Kayliss Fatialofa for the following season, and younger forwards like Simi Laiafi are emerging as future prospects.