Captain Ibis
Squad Member
Bulldogs powerbroker Arthur Laundy has backflipped on his Matt Burton stance and admitted that it was best for the rising star to remain at the Panthers this season.
Earlier this season, Laundy led the calls for Penrith to release Burton to join the Bulldogs a season early after the 21-year-old spent the first two rounds in reserve grade.
He accused the Panthers of selfishness and hypocrisy as he desperately tried to lure Burton to Belmore.
That plan failed. Burton filled in for Nathan Cleary in Round 3 and has retained his spot in the 17 ever since either in the centres or in the halves while Cleary or Jarome Luai were unavailable.
Laundy has since backflipped on his views and told The Sydney Morning Heraldthat he’s apologised to the Panthers’ CEO for his comments.
“When I was quite outspoken, he was not playing,” Laundy said.
“When he was not in the 17, I said ‘Don’t stand in his way, let him go. Come out to us, where he could learn from our coach, which will be the case for the next couple of years.’
“That didn’t happen. It hit the press and I know out Penrith way, I was the bad boy and all of that type of thing.
“But when he got into the 17, he started playing such good football that he’s still there.
“I contacted their CEO, Brian Fletcher and said ‘Brian, if I have caused any anguish at all, I’m sorry. I absolutely applaud your decision now because he is playing in the right grade.’
“I thought I had covered all of my tracks there. There’s no doubt about the style of footballer he is and how good a footballer he is.
“I’m pleased he has stayed with Penrith now. He’s in there now with a very good chance of winning a competition, which is a lovely thing to be happening for a 21 year old.
“That’s my attitude to it.”
It’s a good thing Burton stayed put because he’s gained valuable finals experience with Penrith, will run out in Sunday’s grand final and on Monday was named in the Dally M Team of the Year.
Not only does he have a lot more to offer when he joins the Bulldogs next season, but he’s certainly justified the $450,000 price tag that many thought was over the top.
“I think it has been a very shrewd purchase,” Laundy said.
“If they win on Sunday, it would be a string to his bow, it will be fabulous for him.
“If they don’t win, it will still be that experience of playing in a grand final and the experience of grand final week. That must be fabulous for their 17 footballers.”
Laundy met Burton’s mother when he travelled to Dubbo to pitch the Bulldogs to her in the negotiating process, but he hasn’t actually met Canterbury’s next star half.
But he sent him a message ahead of last week’s preliminary final to wish him all the best.
“I’ve never met the guy, but on Friday I sent him a simple text: ‘Matty, good luck tomorrow. Look forward to meeting you. Arthur Laundy.
“The next morning he sent back a text saying ‘Thanks very much, Arthur. I’m very much looking forward to meeting you too.’
“We’re looking forward to having him.”
Laundy will have to send him another text before Sunday’s grand final — the biggest game of Burton’s career so far.
Earlier this season, Laundy led the calls for Penrith to release Burton to join the Bulldogs a season early after the 21-year-old spent the first two rounds in reserve grade.
He accused the Panthers of selfishness and hypocrisy as he desperately tried to lure Burton to Belmore.
That plan failed. Burton filled in for Nathan Cleary in Round 3 and has retained his spot in the 17 ever since either in the centres or in the halves while Cleary or Jarome Luai were unavailable.
Laundy has since backflipped on his views and told The Sydney Morning Heraldthat he’s apologised to the Panthers’ CEO for his comments.
“When I was quite outspoken, he was not playing,” Laundy said.
“When he was not in the 17, I said ‘Don’t stand in his way, let him go. Come out to us, where he could learn from our coach, which will be the case for the next couple of years.’
“That didn’t happen. It hit the press and I know out Penrith way, I was the bad boy and all of that type of thing.
“But when he got into the 17, he started playing such good football that he’s still there.
“I contacted their CEO, Brian Fletcher and said ‘Brian, if I have caused any anguish at all, I’m sorry. I absolutely applaud your decision now because he is playing in the right grade.’
“I thought I had covered all of my tracks there. There’s no doubt about the style of footballer he is and how good a footballer he is.
“I’m pleased he has stayed with Penrith now. He’s in there now with a very good chance of winning a competition, which is a lovely thing to be happening for a 21 year old.
“That’s my attitude to it.”
It’s a good thing Burton stayed put because he’s gained valuable finals experience with Penrith, will run out in Sunday’s grand final and on Monday was named in the Dally M Team of the Year.
Not only does he have a lot more to offer when he joins the Bulldogs next season, but he’s certainly justified the $450,000 price tag that many thought was over the top.
“I think it has been a very shrewd purchase,” Laundy said.
“If they win on Sunday, it would be a string to his bow, it will be fabulous for him.
“If they don’t win, it will still be that experience of playing in a grand final and the experience of grand final week. That must be fabulous for their 17 footballers.”
Laundy met Burton’s mother when he travelled to Dubbo to pitch the Bulldogs to her in the negotiating process, but he hasn’t actually met Canterbury’s next star half.
But he sent him a message ahead of last week’s preliminary final to wish him all the best.
“I’ve never met the guy, but on Friday I sent him a simple text: ‘Matty, good luck tomorrow. Look forward to meeting you. Arthur Laundy.
“The next morning he sent back a text saying ‘Thanks very much, Arthur. I’m very much looking forward to meeting you too.’
“We’re looking forward to having him.”
Laundy will have to send him another text before Sunday’s grand final — the biggest game of Burton’s career so far.
