Reportedly, Eels does a stunning 180-degree turn on Edge Forward’s future.
According to reports, the Parramatta Eels’ new coach, Jason Ryles, has reversed the team’s stance over edge forward Ryan Matterson’s future. The 29-year-old, who was born in Greenacre, has a player option in his $600,000-a-year contract that expires at the end of 2025. However, in recent times, he has been strongly connected to leaving the blue and gold.
Matterson is apparently on the list of players the Eels are willing to cut go from their contract in order to improve their standing and prepare for their debut season under Ryles.
It was also rumoured that the Eels were willing to give him a percentage of his money for the upcoming season in order to move forward; the same was reportedly true for Fijian winger Maika Sivo. However, the club has since changed its mind. According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Matterson will stay in Sydney’s west until 2025, with the possibility that this will happen again in 2026.
Reagan Campbell-Gillard is almost certain to join with the St George Illawarra Dragons, with only a little contract length issue standing in the way of that agreement. The Eels are prepared to release Campbell-Gillard, which might help with that.
With 177 NRL games under his belt and a reputation as one of the Eels’ most valuable players when he performs at his peak, Matterson made his NRL debut in 2016 and previously played for the Sydney Roosters and Wests Tigers before joining the team. Even though the forward, who is still in the prime of his career and can play both on the edge and in the middle, has struggled at times this season, Ryles will be aiming to get the most out of the important player come playoff time.
As Parramatta attempts to move on from the triple loss of future potential Matt Arthur, Blaize Talagi, and Ethan Sanders at the end of this season, Matterson will probably fit straight back into the second row. To avoid the wooden spoon this year, Parramatta must win one of their two remaining games.