NRL Market Watch 2022: Inside Ryan Matterson’s meeting with Wayne Bennett as Origin awaits
Parramatta is desperate to keep in-form Ryan Matterson, but that is certain to become more difficult with his State of Origin debut looming and Wayne Bennett clamouring for his signature.
Brent Read
Ryan Matterson met Wayne Bennett for the first time one week ago. The next time they talk, Matterson will be a State of Origin player.
Three years after going within hours of pulling on a NSW jersey, Matterson got the news on Monday that he would be part of the Blues’ 17 man squad for Origin I in Sydney.
It capped off a whirlwind week for the in-form Parramatta back rower. Last week, Matterson was taken on a tour of Redcliffe before he pulled up a chair opposite Bennett to talk about next season and the prospect of joining The Dolphins.
Ryan Matterson met with Wayne Bennett after a recent tour of the Redcliffe complex.
Matterson walked away impressed.
“It was pretty cool,” he said.
“He is a ball of knowledge really. I didn’t realise how much of a character he was. I had a good old time. Some of the stories he was saying were pretty funny.
“It was a good little trip. Obviously it had to be a quick one. I had to think about my next game. He said he wanted me to go there.
“The rest is up to my manager. Wayne is a good man. Obviously he has the respect from a lot of people for what he has done in the game.
“But Wayne knows I have to make a decision on what is best for Ryan Matterson. That is something I will have to weigh up when I have all my options.”
The Eels are trying hard to keep Matterson but the task has likely become more difficult with his selection in the Blues side.
Matterson is now an Origin player and that comes with a premium for interested clubs. He is happy to take his time with his decision.
He will likely wait until his Origin commitments are over before finalising his future.
“Me as a rugby league player, I get paid to play football,” Matterson said.
The Eels are trying hard to keep Matterson but the task has likely become more difficult with his selection in the Blues side.
“My manager, he sorts out the contract. I am a footballer, I will play the game. Once he has all the contracts in a line and I have to make a decision, that is when I will come into it.
“The outside noise doesn’t really affect me. The network I have around me, the way that I think, the way that I act, it has never really got to me.
“I just play my football. It is drawing a line — saying I can control this, I can’t control that. So whatever I can’t control I give that to someone else.
“That is normally God. If it is something else like a contract, my manager will sort that out. I control what I can and that is on the football field.”
Matterson’s ascent to Origin has been a long time coming. He was close to making his debut in 2019 when Tyson Frizell woke up on the morning of Origin III with a neck problem.
Frizell looked like being ruled out but made a miraculous recovery and Matterson was forced to wait. At the end of that season he left the Wests Tigers in acrimonious circumstances but he hasn’t looked back. He didn’t need vindication but he got more of it this week when he was named to play Origin.
“I know where I stand,” he said.
“I am an ant when it comes to the big scheme of things. At the end of the day what happened at the Tigers, that is for them to tell that story. — with Jen Dawson and 3 others.
Replies
Is it just me? Just don't like the quotes in this article from Ryan, by all means do what you gotta do just keep it on the down low.
No, it's just not you. 🤮🤮🤮
Sorry Analyst, I posted the same story, missed this - have deleted.
But agree with you, I know half the time they dont mean it but couldnt he at least say 'My preference is to stay at Parra'..
Unfortunately Matto has always been a mercenary. He'll go to the highest bidder.
Exactly. And he only starts to show some form 3 months out from contract negotiations.
Why are parra so stupid to let all the players go off contract the year the dolphins come into the comp
We are terrible negotiators . The tail always seems to wag the dog with us .We are a top 8 / 4 side who negotiates like a bottom 8/4 side still stuck in that era of being desperate to get a signature to announce no matter what the terms are . Of course players will sign when they have zero risk on their end , here you go mate , please sign here , here's a big upgrade and by the way we've included an out for you incase you wish to sign for the Dolphins .
The Gutherson things a great example of how piss weak we are , not to mention the Moses situation .
Player managers must send their paper boys to negotiate with our club , there's no point even sending the boss .
To be honest , the blokes virtually plonked around taking a hefty salary and then lifted his game for a contract . Obviously he's shown he can play good when it suits him so if he stays he stays if he leaves he leaves as far as I'm concerned. Never good to lose an in form player , but meh , as a person he seem to be way out of form . He's history shows he's never been loyal to anyone , nor lived up to expectations .
Agree with this take Wiz. It would be great to keep him, but he's not someone we should break that bank for. I would still prioritize Ice over Matto if we could turn back time.