Captain Ibis
Squad Member
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/cl...hing-burton-a-year-early-20201218-p56ou0.html
Panthers coach Ivan Cleary officially killed off any hopes Canterbury had of luring Matt Burton to Belmore in 2021 and declared: ‘‘It will be best for him in the long run he stays with us another 12 months.”
On the same day Penrith announced a two-year extension for Spencer Leniu, who turned down big-money offers from Canterbury and St George Illawarra, Cleary said there would be no early mark for Burton, despite repeated requests from the Bulldogs. Canterbury have signed Burton for 2022, but kept a spot open on their roster in the hope the Panthers would cut him loose.
Daine Laurie could yet be granted a release from Penrith to join the Wests Tigers, provided the Tigers are prepared to take Josh Mansour off their hands as well, while Stephen Crichton is no closer to sorting out his own future as he holds out hope for a deal worth more than $600,000 a year.
While Cleary refused to be drawn on the futures of Laurie, Mansour and Crichton, he did want it known Burton would not get a leave pass – and was a chance to make the temporary shift to the centres.
‘‘We always wanted Matt to stay with us and we presented an offer, which was a good offer,’’ ‘‘Cleary said yesterday. ‘‘There was always the possibility Burto might decide to leave, and that was always going to be purely for opportunity and better money.
‘‘But we were clear from the start he wouldn’t be granted a release for 2021 if that did happen. That hasn’t changed, we’ve been very open about it, and there are two reasons for it.
‘‘Firstly, Matt is a very valuable member of our squad and will make a considerable contribution to our performance next year.
‘‘And we also think it’s best for him personally to stay in our system for another year so he can further develop – it’s our opinion that it’s best for him in the long run he stays with us another 12 months. We know people are agitating for it [an early release] to happen, but everyone has been well aware of our position for a long time.’’
Burton will combine with Kyle Flanagan at the Bulldogs in 2022 after being heavily pursued by former Panthers assistant and new Canterbury coach Trent Barrett.
While there was talk Burton could move into the back row, Cleary said centre was the more likely option. There remains some uncertainty surrounding Brent Naden, who has been stood down by the NRL after his grand final drug shock.
Panthers coach Ivan Cleary officially killed off any hopes Canterbury had of luring Matt Burton to Belmore in 2021 and declared: ‘‘It will be best for him in the long run he stays with us another 12 months.”
On the same day Penrith announced a two-year extension for Spencer Leniu, who turned down big-money offers from Canterbury and St George Illawarra, Cleary said there would be no early mark for Burton, despite repeated requests from the Bulldogs. Canterbury have signed Burton for 2022, but kept a spot open on their roster in the hope the Panthers would cut him loose.
Daine Laurie could yet be granted a release from Penrith to join the Wests Tigers, provided the Tigers are prepared to take Josh Mansour off their hands as well, while Stephen Crichton is no closer to sorting out his own future as he holds out hope for a deal worth more than $600,000 a year.
While Cleary refused to be drawn on the futures of Laurie, Mansour and Crichton, he did want it known Burton would not get a leave pass – and was a chance to make the temporary shift to the centres.
‘‘We always wanted Matt to stay with us and we presented an offer, which was a good offer,’’ ‘‘Cleary said yesterday. ‘‘There was always the possibility Burto might decide to leave, and that was always going to be purely for opportunity and better money.
‘‘But we were clear from the start he wouldn’t be granted a release for 2021 if that did happen. That hasn’t changed, we’ve been very open about it, and there are two reasons for it.
‘‘Firstly, Matt is a very valuable member of our squad and will make a considerable contribution to our performance next year.
‘‘And we also think it’s best for him personally to stay in our system for another year so he can further develop – it’s our opinion that it’s best for him in the long run he stays with us another 12 months. We know people are agitating for it [an early release] to happen, but everyone has been well aware of our position for a long time.’’
Burton will combine with Kyle Flanagan at the Bulldogs in 2022 after being heavily pursued by former Panthers assistant and new Canterbury coach Trent Barrett.
While there was talk Burton could move into the back row, Cleary said centre was the more likely option. There remains some uncertainty surrounding Brent Naden, who has been stood down by the NRL after his grand final drug shock.
