Wayne Bennett and The Dolphins have all but got themselves a big one: off-contract Eel Ryan Matterson is in pole position to become the Redcliffe club’s first-ever NRL captain in the 2023 season, sources close to the deal are saying.
Matterson is expected to be the next big signing for the Redcliffe Dolphins.
However, while some in the media, including Nine’s Mole, are suggesting the deal is already tied up, The Sporting Base understands Matterson still has some decisions to make about his future. The 27-year-old is off-contract at the end of the year and has been fielding offers from nearly half a dozen NRL clubs for next year.
The Eels have backed themselves into a salary cap corner and are already losing Isaiah Papali’i (Tigers), Marata Niukore (Warriors), Reed Mahoney (Bulldogs), and Ray Stone (Dolphins). The pain is set to continue for Parramatta, which has fallen behind in the race.
They are currently paying Matterson around $470,000 a season.
The Dolphins appear to have taken the lead among the other NRL suitors, with a vision from supercoach Bennet a tipping point for ‘Matto’ to pick his next destination—which we add again, isn’t set in stone.
Matterson has had a strong 2022 season so far with the Parramatta Eels and will make his State of Origin debut off the bench for the Blues next Wednesday evening. He has been playing off the bench for Brad Arthur’s team for much of the NRL campaign, starting on the pine before entering around twenty to thirty minutes in and playing until the final whistle.
He’s scored three tries in ten games and is averaging 163 metres a game.
The 27-year-old is a true glitter signing for the league’s 17th club, who will debut in the top comp next season. So far, Wayne Bennett has been able to pick up smatterings of stars and veterans, but Matterson—who may have his head turned by the captaincy offer—will be a key cog.
So far, the Redcliffe Dolphins have signed:
- Felise Kaufusi (Storm)
- Jesse Bromwich (Storm)
- Kenny Bromwich (Storm)
- Euan Aitken (Warriors)
- Ray Stone (Eels)
- Robert Jennings (Panthers)
- Mark Nicholls (Rabbitohs)
- Tom Gilbert (Cowboys)
- Jamayne Isaako (Broncos)
- Edrick Lee (Knights)
- Connelly Lemuelu (Cowboys)
- Valynce Te Whare (union)
Parramatta are currently fifth in the 2022 NRL season with eight wins and four losses.
