Introduction
Brendan Hands (born 2 December 1999) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as hooker for the Parramatta Eels in the National Rugby League (NRL).
Playing career
Early career
Hands was a Brothers Penrith junior who played both rugby league and basketball. From a young age his coaches said that he would be a NRL player. He would join the Penrith Panthers playing for their Jersey Flegg Cup under 20's team in 2019, winning the club's Junior Education Award. In 2020, he was a part of Penrith's first grade squad.
Parramatta Eels
In 2022, Hands signed with the Parramatta Eels to play in the NSW Cup competition. Hands played 23 games for Parramatta's NSW Cup team in 2022.
In round 4 of the 2023 NRL season, Hands made his NRL debut for Parramatta against his former club, Penrith at Western Sydney Stadium and scored a try in his side's 17−16 golden point extra-time victory. Hands played a total of 19 matches for Parramatta in the 2023 NRL season as the club finished 10th and missed the finals.