Rivals line up for next million-dollar man
IF Phil Gould wants to lock up Matt Burton for the long term then the Bulldogs’ general manager better get ready to dig deep.
While most seem to be anticipating that Burton will end up staying at Canterbury to play under Cameron Ciraldo beyond 2023, rivals are still lining up to register their interest and make sure Burton is at least offered his market value.
And the fact is Burton will return from the World Cup as rugby league’s next milliondollar man in waiting.
Burton, 22, was on a reported $500,000 for this season but is tipped to command north of $1m-a-season no matter where he signs to play in 2024.
It was speculated recently that the man with the biggest boot in the NRL was set to sign a four-year extension to stay at the Dogs worth $3m but that is well short of what Burton will realistically get.
In the wake of Cameron Munster recommitting to the Melbourne Storm, Burton has taken over top billing as the most wanted five-eighth still on the market for the 2024 season. That’s even ahead of South Sydney’s Cody Walker and Parramatta’s Dylan Brown, who are also negotiating new deals.
It’s no secret that the Storm were ready to go after Burton if they didn’t secure Munster.
Battling clubs like the Wests Tigers and Newcastle always get thrown up as possible destinations when players are looking to up their price. But Burton is such an outrageously gifted talent that he would walk into pretty much any side in the comp, while still commanding top dollar, even if he wanted to chase a premiership at one of the top clubs.
Burton’s agent David Riolo did not want to speculate about those possibilities but confirmed other clubs had made their interest known.
Riolo said he didn’t want it to become a distraction while Burton was in England on Australian duties.
“Matt is obviously overseas enjoying his first World Cup and as soon as he is back we will sort through it,” Riolo said. “He is happy at the Dogs. “He likes the new coach and he gets on with everyone there, so there is no issue for him at Canterbury.”