Wayne Bennett and his Dolphins have missed out yet again with Parramatta star Ryan Matterson rejecting the club in order to extend his time as an Eel.
Wayne Bennett has suffered another blow with NSW Origin star Ryan Matterson poised to reject the Dolphins and ink a $2.4 million extension to remain at Parramatta.
News Corp understands the off-contract Matterson will formally agree terms on a four-year upgrade with the Eels following tonight’s clash with the Sydney Roosters at CommBank Stadium.
The retention of Matterson would be a major coup for the Eels, who were under siege for his signature after Dolphins super coach Bennett tabled a four-year offer worth around $650,000 a season.
The Eels have already been rocked by a series of forward departures with Isaiah Papali’i (Tigers), Marata Niukore (Warriors), Oregon Kaufusi (Cronulla), Reed Mahoney (Bulldogs) joining rival clubs in 2023.
But Matterson will not be part of the Eels exodus, with his ascension to the NSW Origin side for his Game One debut last Wednesday week convincing the 27-year-old to chase a premiership ring at Parramatta.
The Dolphins were a major threat. Matterson was so genuine about joining the NRL’s 17th team he flew to Brisbane last month for a meeting with Bennett and tour of the Dolphins’ headquarters at Redcliffe.
Matterson was said to be highly impressed with Bennett’s pitch, but had some concerns about joining a foundation team that has yet to secure a marquee signing to spearhead their playmaking spine.
Parramatta coach Brad Arthur told News Corp last week the Eels would fight tooth-and-nail to keep Matterson in the blue and gold. It appears they have succeeded.
“We have put a good competitive offer for four years to him and we would love him to stay,” Arthur said.
“He is a local junior – came through our system – and been back now for a couple of years and playing his best footy.
“I feel like his preference is to stay in Sydney, stay at Parramatta around his family but I am not sure what the Redcliffe offer is.
“He is a real integral part of us moving forward. We would love him to stay.”
While the Dolphins have been pilloried for failing to land a marquee signing thus far, they have secured premiership-winning pedigree in the forwards with the signing of Storm trio Kenny and Jesse Bromwich and Felise Kaufusi.
The Redcliffe-based operation has also snared Souths grand-final prop Mark Nicholls, while Eels ironman Ray Stone, currently sidelined with an ACL injury, has inked a deal with the Dolphins.
The Dolphins viewed Matterson as a possible starting No.13. The former NSW City Origin forward has a relationship with Dolphins recruitment chief Peter O’Sullivan, who first signed Matterson to the Roosters in 2016.
Matterson has been a revelation for the Eels this season and was rewarded with a NSW Origin debut.
“I’m more involved,” he said recently.
“I get my hands on the ball a lot more and I get to choose whether to run or pass.
“Back row at the moment people are running lines and you’re a bit more of a crash player. But I enjoy being a ballplayer.”
Replies
Desperation after losing so many players forced our hand into paying overs and a longer extension than the club would have liked. Nonetheless matto's been in very good form so suck it up dolphin boy
It's a player's market. Any player who doesn't use the Dolphins for leverage is an idiot.
Glad he's staying. Also glad we're paying less than the Dolphins offered.
We're paying more then the Dolphins.
Dolphins offer: 1.5mill over 3yrs (500k a year)
Eels offer: 2.4million over 4yrs (600k a year)
100k more + an extra year but Mattos forms been good. Think he earnt a small upgrade. We needed to keep him.
They all like the extra year. 4 years crazy.
No it's not because it's really 3 years, because if he wants out in the 4th year they'll let him go. 4 years isn't crazy for a key piece.
My mistake. I was just talking about the initial Dolphins offer. It was 3yrs 1.5mill. They must've upped there offer
The article says the dolphins offered $650k per year for 4 years.
It was a players market when Papalli left aswell, maybe the club didn't forsee that it would be .
Not only are players/player managers using the Dolphins to increase player valuations, but they are also considering contract length as it is no secret the NRL is planning an 18th team in 2025 or 2026. Due to the issues the Dolphins are having signing players, I would think the NRL will announce the 18th club at least 2 years before they start playing to allow more time to secure players.
$600k desperate for a state of origin player and one of the form forwards of the comp.
Give it a rest.
Well done BA for keeping him
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