Paul Crawley
February 8, 2021 - 4:29PM
News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom
Bulldog-in-waiting Matt Burton “100 per cent” wants out of Penrith to join Trent Barrett at Canterbury immediately.
And in a stunning development to one of the NRL off-season’s simmering storylines, his agent David Riolo has appealed to the Panthers to “let him go now”. The gifted Dubbo junior has long been recognised as one of the game’s most exciting emerging talents.
But Burton’s NRL career has stalled as he continues to be stuck behind Jarome Luai in Penrith’s five-eighth pecking order. Riolo also revealed Burton was told he’d be playing for a centre spot this year. But now the Panthers have done a swap deal with Wests Tigers to bring in Paul Momirovski in exchange for Daine Laurie’s release on the weekend. It just makes Burton’s hopes of playing NRL this year even more unlikely.
“I am not upset with Penrith, Penrith have been really good and developed the kid. But both parties should move on, it (will be) better for all of them. He will lose a year of first grade if he stays.” Riolo said.
When asked if Burton wanted out, Riolo was clear: “100 per cent.”
But for some reason it appears Burton has become the pawn in a bigger power play between the two clubs. It’s no secret Burton has already committed his future to the Dogs for three seasons from 2022.
Of course, Barrett was Ivan Cleary’s assistant last season on their charge to the grand final, but there seems no love lost now. Behind the scenes the Bulldogs have been hoping for months that Penrith would release Burton at some point. Riolo says it’s time for everyone to make it happen.
“In my opinion it is better if Matt Burton goes to the Bulldogs now. It is better for Matt Burton. It is better for Bulldogs. And it is better for Penrith because they remove a surplus player who doesn’t really want to be there. He wants to be somewhere else.” he said.
Riolo explained the soon to be 21-year-old had been treading water all summer: “He trains with the top squad but he is not in the top team. He is surplus to their top team so let him go now.”
While it has been assumed all summer that a deal will be ultimately cut between the clubs before the new season kicks off, it just continues to drag on.
Riolo conceded talks continue to bubble along but only Penrith can make it happen.
February 8, 2021 - 4:29PM
News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom
NRL 2021: Matt Burton’s agent asks Panthers to release young star to the Bulldogs
Bulldog-in-waiting Matt Burton “100 per cent” wants out of Penrith to join Trent Barrett at Canterbury immediately.
And in a stunning development to one of the NRL off-season’s simmering storylines, his agent David Riolo has appealed to the Panthers to “let him go now”. The gifted Dubbo junior has long been recognised as one of the game’s most exciting emerging talents.
But Burton’s NRL career has stalled as he continues to be stuck behind Jarome Luai in Penrith’s five-eighth pecking order. Riolo also revealed Burton was told he’d be playing for a centre spot this year. But now the Panthers have done a swap deal with Wests Tigers to bring in Paul Momirovski in exchange for Daine Laurie’s release on the weekend. It just makes Burton’s hopes of playing NRL this year even more unlikely.
“I am not upset with Penrith, Penrith have been really good and developed the kid. But both parties should move on, it (will be) better for all of them. He will lose a year of first grade if he stays.” Riolo said.
When asked if Burton wanted out, Riolo was clear: “100 per cent.”
But for some reason it appears Burton has become the pawn in a bigger power play between the two clubs. It’s no secret Burton has already committed his future to the Dogs for three seasons from 2022.
Of course, Barrett was Ivan Cleary’s assistant last season on their charge to the grand final, but there seems no love lost now. Behind the scenes the Bulldogs have been hoping for months that Penrith would release Burton at some point. Riolo says it’s time for everyone to make it happen.
“In my opinion it is better if Matt Burton goes to the Bulldogs now. It is better for Matt Burton. It is better for Bulldogs. And it is better for Penrith because they remove a surplus player who doesn’t really want to be there. He wants to be somewhere else.” he said.
Riolo explained the soon to be 21-year-old had been treading water all summer: “He trains with the top squad but he is not in the top team. He is surplus to their top team so let him go now.”
While it has been assumed all summer that a deal will be ultimately cut between the clubs before the new season kicks off, it just continues to drag on.
Riolo conceded talks continue to bubble along but only Penrith can make it happen.
