Few NRL careers have taken as many unexpected turns as Jack De Belin’s. After 252 games for St George Illawarra and a three-year suspension that sidelined him from the game he loved, the veteran lock now finds himself in the blue and gold of Parramatta Eels for the 2025 season.
Current club: Parramatta Eels · Position: Lock / Prop · NRL games: 252 (as of 2025) · Born: 17 March 1991, Cootamundra, NSW
Quick snapshot
- De Belin joined Parramatta Eels in 2025 (ESPN)
- He played 252 NRL games for St George Illawarra (Wikipedia)
- Suspended from NRL 2019–2021 under no-fault policy (Fox Sports)
- Married to Ana de Belin (Wikipedia)
- Exact salary: not publicly confirmed by NRL or clubs (Sporting News Australia)
- Dragons’ specific reasons for not renewing beyond general ‘rebuilding’ (The Roar)
- Contract length: reports say 2 years with club option, but not finalised (ESPN)
- New chapter with Parramatta Eels starting 2026 season (The Roar)
- Contract in NRL cooling-off period as of June 2025 (ESPN)
- Potential 2027 club option year (Sporting News Australia)
Twelve key facts, one takeaway: Jack de Belin’s career is a story of resilience, from a three-year suspension to a late-career move that few players his age make.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Jack de Belin |
| Date of birth | 17 March 1991 (age 34) |
| Place of birth | Cootamundra, New South Wales, Australia |
| Height | 190 cm (6 ft 3 in) |
| Weight | 108 kg (17 st 0 lb) |
| Position | Lock, Prop |
| NRL team | Parramatta Eels |
| Previous team | St George Illawarra Dragons |
| NRL debut | 2011 for St George Illawarra Dragons |
| NRL games played | 252 |
| International career | Papua New Guinea |
| Marital status | Married to Ana de Belin |
Why Did Jack De Belin Get Dropped?
Dragons’ rebuilding strategy and the end of 2025 contract
St George Illawarra informed de Belin in 2025 that they would not renew his contract, citing a desire to rebuild with younger players. The decision ended a 14-year association that began with his NRL debut in 2011.
De Belin’s own frustration over uncertainty
De Belin openly expressed a wish to be a ‘one-club man’ but accepted the club’s direction. “I have been stood down from my employment as a professional rugby league player because an allegation has been made against me,” he said during the 2019 suspension, reflecting the personal toll of off-field turmoil that shadowed his later years at the club.
The implication: the Dragons’ decision was a business calculation, not a judgment on de Belin’s ability.
Where Is Jack de Belin Now?
Parramatta Eels debut in 2025
De Belin joined the Parramatta Eels for the 2025 NRL season, a move reported in late June 2025. The official Parramatta club profile lists him as a player who “joined the Eels in 2025”.
Current role and position
He continues to play as a lock and prop, bringing experience to an Eels pack that has had fluctuating form. As of the 2025 season, he has played 252 NRL games. The Eels are betting that his resilience and defensive grit can stiffen their middle third.
De Belin’s move to Parramatta gives the Eels a seasoned forward who knows how to navigate adversity. For a club aiming to push deep into finals, his 252-game experience in pressure moments is a commodity that can’t be taught.
The pattern: de Belin’s stability and defensive grit fill a gap in Parramatta’s forward pack.
What Is Jack de Belin’s Salary?
Reported salary figures
Exact figures are not publicly confirmed by the NRL or any club. Media reports estimate his salary in the range of AUD 500,000–700,000 per season.
Impact of NRL salary cap
His previous salary at the Dragons was renegotiated after his return from suspension, and the uncertainty around his role likely contributed to the Dragons’ decision not to extend.
The implication: de Belin’s pay reflects his age and the risk premium from his suspension history. He is neither overpaid nor undervalued—he sits in the veteran-tier range where clubs weigh experience against cap space.
Does Jack de Belin Still Play in the NRL?
Current NRL status
Yes, he is an active NRL player for the Parramatta Eels in the 2025 season.
Player profile overview
He missed three seasons (2019–2021) due to suspension under the NRL’s no-fault stand-down policy after being charged with aggravated sexual assault. He was later acquitted but the lost prime years permanently altered his career arc.
De Belin is now 34 and has played 252 games—but he lost three of his most productive seasons. That gap means his body has less wear than most forwards his age, yet he also missed the highest-salary years of his prime. The Eels are getting a player with fresher legs but a compressed earning window.
The trade-off: fresher legs versus a shorter earning window.
Is Jack de Belin Still Married?
Marital status
Jack de Belin is married to Ana de Belin. They have a child together, and he has spoken publicly about the support from his wife during his suspension.
Family life
His family ties also extend to Papua New Guinea—de Belin has represented the PNG Kumuls internationally, connecting to his heritage through his grandmother.
The pattern: de Belin’s personal stability—his marriage and fatherhood—has been a consistent anchor through the most turbulent professional period of his life.
Jack De Belin Career Timeline
From a country kid in Cootamundra to a veteran at Parramatta, de Belin’s timeline is defined by three distinct acts: steady rise, brutal interruption, and late-career reset.
- 17 March 1991: Jack de Belin is born in Cootamundra, NSW.
- 2011: Makes NRL debut for St George Illawarra Dragons.
- 2019–2021: Suspended under NRL no-fault stand-down policy after being charged with aggravated sexual assault; later acquitted.
- 2022: Returns to the NRL with St George Illawarra Dragons.
- Late 2025: St George Illawarra announce they will not renew de Belin’s contract beyond 2025.
- 2025: Signs with Parramatta Eels for the 2025 season.
The consequence: de Belin’s career arc now has a second act at Parramatta, driven by the suspension’s fallout.
Confirmed facts
- Jack de Belin joined Parramatta Eels in 2025
- He was suspended from the NRL from 2019 to 2021
- He played 252 NRL games for St George Illawarra Dragons
- He is married to Ana de Belin
What’s unclear
- Exact salary figure is not publicly confirmed
- The specific reasons for the Dragons’ decision beyond general ‘rebuilding’ narrative
- Contract length and second-year option details still in cooling-off period
Voice of the Player and Club
“I have been stood down from my employment as a professional rugby league player because an allegation has been made against me.”
— Jack de Belin, speaking about the NRL suspension (Fox Sports)
“joined the Eels in 2025”
— Parramatta Eels official site
These quotes illustrate the personal and professional dimensions of de Belin’s journey.
What de Belin’s Move Means for the NRL
Jack de Belin’s departure from St George Illawarra is not a story of decline—it is a story of timing. The Dragons needed to reset; de Belin needed a stable home after years of uncertainty. For a 34-year-old lock who lost three prime seasons, every contract feels like a final chance. The pattern is clear: clubs will take a punt on resilience, but only if the price fits the cap. For de Belin, the Parramatta move is a calculated second act—one that will test whether a player who has already endured the worst of the NRL’s system can still thrive in it.
For the Parramatta Eels, the choice is deliberate: bet on a veteran with 252 games of hardened experience, but accept that the upside is short-term. For the Dragons, the cost is losing a loyal servant, but the gain is salary cap space and a younger roster. The trade-off is clean, even if it feels cold.
Related reading: Jack de Belin’s NRL stand-down policy history and court case · Jack de Belin’s career stats and game milestones
zerotackle.com, foxsports.com.au, reddit.com, theguardian.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What position does Jack de Belin play?
Lock and prop for Parramatta Eels in the NRL.
How many NRL games has Jack de Belin played?
252 games as of the 2025 season.
Why was Jack de Belin suspended?
Under the NRL’s no-fault stand-down policy after being charged with aggravated sexual assault. He was later acquitted.
Has Jack de Belin been convicted of any crime?
No. He was acquitted of all charges.
Does Jack de Belin have children?
Yes, he and his wife Ana have a child together.
What is Jack de Belin’s connection to Papua New Guinea?
He has represented Papua New Guinea internationally through his heritage (his grandmother).
These answers cover the most common queries about de Belin’s career and personal life.
Alex Chen is Editor-in-Chief at Australia Data, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.