Gorden Tallis had a stunned, and hilarious, reaction to the news Nathan Brown reportedly join the Sydney Roosters from Parramatta on a one-year deal.

The Roosters have pulled off a stunning mid-season swoop, landing former Origin forward Brown on a one-year deal — and rugby league legend Tallis wasn’t subtle in questioning how the Roosters had worked wonders with their salary cap once again.

“Did they sign another one?,” Tallis said on Triple M.

“They didn’t. You’re geeing me up. They have signed another player. Because of the culture? He wants to play Roosters football?

“So he is going there? And they just have enough money?”

“They have signed Nathan Brown from Parramatta,” James Hooper said.

“It is a one-year arrangement. I’m sure the Eels are chipping because he is on good money.

“They are short on middles. Clearly he isn’t getting a go at Parramatta.”

Hooper explained that the Roosters lost Sam Verrills, but that didn’t convince Tallis.

“No they bought the Cheese (Brandon Smith) that six clubs were going for,” Tallis said.

“So they need middles so they just go buy them? Is it a ceiling or a circus tent? It’s a circus tent isn’t it?

Tallis laughed off criticism he was going down an old road.

“What road?” Tallis said.

“Every fan that looks at teams that lose players and teams that don’t.”

The Rososter have been hit hard by injuries to Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Matt Lodge, Angus Crichton, Sitili Tupouniua, Victor Radley and Connor Watson.

Matt Lodge’s likely six-week absence due to a fractured cheekbone left the Premiership hopefuls particularly needy in the middle forwards, forcing them to move for the 2020 NSW Origin representative and former Tiger and Rabbitohs player.

Brown is on the verge of reaching 150 NRL games, having entered the competition back in 2013.

However, he managed just 14 games for the Eels last season, before a hamstring issue in pre-season meant he has not yet laced up his boots this campaign – and reportedly will not be fit to face the Rabbitohs this week.

Fortunately for the Roosters, Victor Radley and Jared-Waerea Hargreaves are set to return.

According the Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield — who broke the story — Parramatta is chipping in a hefty portion of his salary, having unsuccessfully explored a possible swap deal for Manly’s Morgan Harper in the off-season.