Ryan Matterson has endured plenty of highs and lows throughout his NRL career but an old schoolteacher who doubted his playing ability got a cheeky mention when asked about his pending 100-game milestone this week.
Matterson will notch up a century of games in Friday night's clash against the Broncos following stints with the Roosters, Wests Tigers, and Eels across a decorated six-year career.
In between the on-field performances, Matterson battled the lingering effects of concussion in 2018 and more recently heavy criticism after walking out on a three-year contract with the Wests Tigers just 12 months into the deal.
However, when asked about the personal milestone on Monday, the former Roosters premiership-winner referred to an old maths teacher who he'd proven wrong most of all.
"I don't know whether he was trying to make me listen in class or what but he was adamant that he knew what quality rugby league players looked like and he said I wasn't one of them," Matterson said.
"I've been told all my life I'd never be good enough to play first grade.
"I always said I wanted to play first grade, my old man [Paul Matterson] and my uncle [Terry Matterson], everyone in my family did that so that's what I wanted to do.
"Once I did that and proved the haters wrong I knew an obstacle wouldn't be able to hold me back.
"So to play just the one I was over the moon and ever since then I've played every game like it was my last.
"I've always wanted to owe it to my family so to do it this week is a massive honour."
On a more serious note, Matterson said the Eels were desperate to find answers surrounding the side's recent struggles in attack after being kept try-less for the second time in three weeks leading into the playoffs.
The Eels were seen huddled in the sheds post-match after Friday's loss to Penrith with lock Nathan Brown and utility Will Smith doing plenty of talking.
"The boys spoke about staying tight, it's more important now than ever," Matterson said.
"We're not worried about the outside noise and all the media talk, how we set about rectifying things has got to be within the playing group.
"Come this week or finals it's only the 17 boys or coaching staff that can change that, it's about actions on the field."
Of the side's attack, Matterson added: "We're handing over too many possessions, I was guilty of that against Penrith when I tried to offload when it wasn't needed.
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"That's what kills you. When you have to tackle and tackle and tackle it takes it out of your front-foot attack so we've got to fix that."
Eels coach Brad Arthur has recalled Warriors loan duo Daniel Alvaro and George Jennings to the squad, while hooker Reed Mahoney is expected to be available for the clash after being sidelined last week with a shoulder injury.
The Eels can move a step closer to securing a top-four spot with victory over the Broncos.
Replies
100 games - Congrats Matto - give them hell and keep your brain active on the field.
From the eels
Ryan Matterson is on the cusp of playing his 100th NRL game.
He’s in the form of his career has been a fan favourite since returning to the Blue and Gold form this season.
So it’s hard to believe he had plenty of doubters coming through the ranks.
"I've been told all my life I'd never be good enough to play first grade,” Matterson said.
His maths teacher was one of his biggest detractors.
"I don't know whether he was trying to make me listen in class or what but he was adamant that he knew what quality rugby league players looked like and he said I wasn't one of them," Matterson said.
Just getting one NRL game meant everything to the second-rower, so much so he played the next 99 games like they were his last.
"Once I did that and proved the haters wrong I knew an obstacle wouldn't be able to hold me back.
"So to play just the one I was over the moon and ever since then I've been playing every every game like it was my last,” he said.
But it’s not the haters Matterson is playing to impress or prove wrong.
He’s doing it all for his family.
"I always said I wanted to play first grade, my old man played first grade and my uncle played first grade, everyone in my family did that and so that's all I wanted to do.
“To get one hundred is massive.
"I've always wanted to owe it to my family so now that I get to do it this week is a massive honour,” Matterson said.
The Eels are in a race to the lock in a top four finish before the NRL finals.
They face the Broncos this week at Bankwest Stadium before taking on the Tigers in the final Round of the normal season.
Colin H : You did not mention that one of his more important detractors was "Our future and our savior" sic, Brad Arthur. He cut Matterson from the club when Matterson was a junior when most junior fans were predicting first grade for him. Matterson went to the Chooks and eventually made to first grade there playing five eight and second row. Arthur then did a backflip and sort to get him back to the Eels. Matterson eventually returned. Arthur can never select the good young players. He selected young Salmond from Cronulla as an outstanding junior. Salmond has not played first grade this year to my knowledge.
Robert L, the bit above is direct from the EELS webb site which I simply copied and pasted into this blog, some reason the part that starts this has lost the words EELS Web site. I would have to take responsibility for that but I did not post anything of my opinion on what has been said.
From what I know of the reason why Matto left was that he wanted to play 5/8 a position he played in during his Jnr league days at the eels, BA believed him to be a second row player rather than a halves player. He was then snapped up by the chooks who also moved him to the 2nd row, as they saw that was his position even though he did play some matches at the chooks in that position.
He was let go from the chooks and went to Wests, again he remained a 2nd rower, his tenure there was not good and he came back to the eels as a 2nd rower proving that BA knew his abilities and he was correct in the fact that Matto was not a 5/8 but a VG 2nd rower.
Interestingly enough 2nd rowers play outdside the halves but inside the centre and in today's game have a much bigger responsibilty for ball distribution, so in a round about way he could be happy playing a wide 5/8.
Would love to see our 2 second rowers back to their running game on the edges, DB was Lanes feeder and MM should be Matto's, and both of them have a pretty fair offload as well.
Congratulations big fella. To play 1 nrl game is an achievement many never accomplish yet to reach 100 is certainly a significant milestone.
Life is no practise run . One crack at it . Only person you need to prove things to is the person in the mirror . The rest is fluffy stuff.
Well done Matto, would like to see him in the 13, may fire up our middle attack.Put NB right side defence, with his line speed he may take a bit of pressure of Blake.
Like that idea mate . Could work well