Matterson meets with Eels powerbrokers about possible return
Unsettled Wests Tigers star Ryan Matterson has met with Parramatta on Tuesday in what could be the first step towards an Eels homecoming.
Ryan has two years to go on his Tigers deal but has been given permission to speak to rival clubs after expressing a desire to get out of the joint-venture outfit. The Tigers will likely only grant a release if they get compensation in the form of cash or a player swap.
Ironically, Matterson fell out briefly with Brad Arthur when he was at the Eels, the coach dropping him back to the Ron Massey Cup. The pair have since mended the relationship and Arthur, on holidays in Bali, didn’t attend Tuesday’s meeting.
Matterson is on a deal worth $775,000 over the next two seasons but, given he was on the cusp of making his State of Origin debut, can command considerably more on the open market. The Gold Coast, Cronulla, Melbourne and St George Illawarra are among the clubs watching the situation closely, while South Sydney could become a suitor if Sam Burgess is forced into premature retirement.
The Eels are in a position to make an offer that isn’t contingent on shifting or swapping players and view Matterson as the ideal addition to a pack that will be bolstered by former Panther Regan Campbell-Gillard next season.
One player who can empathise with Matterson is Mitchell Moses. The Eels star, in camp with the Australian squad ahead of the two-day World Nines event beginning on Friday, also left the Tigers in similar circumstances. Despite still being under contract, Moses shifted to Parramatta for a fresh start and was this year rewarded with Dally M halfback of the year honours.
“I’d love to play with him,” said Moses, who played alongside Matterson at schoolboy level. “He’s been copping a fair bit of flak in the media, it’s not warranted. He’s getting flak from former teammates and things like that. He’s got to not look at that stuff.
“He’s a great player and really came out and played out of his skin this year. He’s worth whatever he’s trying to do. He’s a great player and whatever team picks him up, he’s a great pick up.
“I think the Tigers are losing a really good player if he leaves. I can’t speak on his behalf or know what’s happening until he comes out and says what is happening. If we’re after him, I’d love to have him.
“He’s a class player and if the Tigers lose him, they are losing a good player.”
Matterson was excused from Tigers training for “personal reasons” while coach Michael Maguire continued to put his side through sessions during the playoffs. The former Rooster had been seeing a sports psychologist after struggling with work life at Concord.
“He’s a good bloke, I’ve known him for a while through school footy and all of those types of things, we’re the same age,” Moses said. “He’s a really good bloke, I get on with him really well.
“I don’t know what’s happening with Matto, I don’t know if he is unhappy or anything like that, I have no idea. I can’t really comment on what’s happening, but you’re copping it from everywhere.
“The best thing for him is to block it out and do the best thing for him.”
Moses’ teammates from the Eels and the Australian nines team, Nathan Brown and Clint Gutherson, were also unaware of Matterson’s meeting with the Parramatta hierarchy. However, they said a forward of his quality would be a welcome addition to any side.
“He’s also had a couple of successful years, winning a comp with the Roosters and having a good year with the Tigers,” Brown said. “He’s a good player and he would be great for any side. If he comes over, that would be good.”
Gutherson added: “I had one preseason with him [at Parramatta] and then he went to the Roosters the next year.
“I was his roomie for Origin, that’s it. I’ve got nothing to do with recruitment or anything like that, but I’ve seen his name dragged around the papers the last two or three months.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen. You just want to see players be happy and I guess he’s not happy at the Tigers.”
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