Parramatta forward Ryan Matterson is no certainty to play in the NRL again despite Storm coach Craig Bellamy making an eleventh-hour phone call to sign the former NSW Origin star.
The Zac Lomax saga has taken an intriguing twist with Matterson - an unwitting pawn in the Storm-Eels transfer stoush - battling ongoing concussive symptoms that have plunged his career into doubt.
In a bid to expedite Lomax’s move to the Storm, Melbourne also offered to take on Matterson’s $400,000 salary, with Bellamy enlisted to hold talks with the Eels forward on Sunday night.
But Matterson’s decision to decline Bellamy’s overtures ostensibly scuppered any hope the Storm had of brokering Lomax’s release from the Eels following months of protracted negotiations.
Ryan Matterson has broken his silence after being unwittingly dragged into the Eels-Storm Zac Lomax contract saga. Picture: Getty Images
A key factor in Matterson’s call was uncertainty over his own future. The 31-year-old suffered another concussion in pre-season and is seeking medical advice, with his manager defending Matterson’s decision to rule out joining Eels teammate Lomax in Melbourne.
“I don’t know why Ryan Matterson has become part of all this (the Lomax transfer deal),” said his agent Gavin Orr of PSM.
“I can understand Parramatta’s situation to try and move him off the (salary) cap, but there was a chance the Storm could have outlaid $400,000 for a player to not play.
“That’s the point I think people are missing.
“If Ryan felt 100 per cent physically, he would’ve probably looked at going to Melbourne, but he isn’t 100 per cent at the moment.
“He is still getting symptoms.”
Melbourne offered to take on Matterson in a bid to expedite Lomax’s move to the Storm
Asked if Matterson will play again, Orr said: “Honestly, I don’t know.
“I’ve asked Ryan the same question, and his answer is, ‘I’m not sure. At the moment, I’d probably say it’s a no’.”
“Once the symptoms wear off, and he’s not light-headed and he doesn’t feel nauseated and stuff like that, then maybe he will play again.
“But this is a week-to-week thing. There’s a lot to consider, including getting medical advice, before Ryan returns to the field.”
The Storm offered Parramatta a $750,000 transfer fee to rubber-stamp Lomax’s release, only for the Eels to reject the figure.
Matterson’s NRL future is in doubt as he battles ongoing concussion symptoms.
As part of the machinations, Melbourne super coach Bellamy personally phoned Matterson, who has another 12 months at the Eels. Matterson was open to a two-year deal from the Storm, who faced a huge risk given the forward’s concussion battle.
“The fact that Craig spoke to him, it showed that they were interested,” Orr said.
“Ryan liked his chat with ‘Bellyache’ but I think it was a little bit too hard just to go down there for the 12 months.
“Ryan has business interest as well and his fiancee also has a career in Sydney.
“If it was a two-year deal, he would have considered packing up his life.
“But this all first surfaced about a week ago. How many people sign a contract on a spur of the moment like that?”
Storm coach Craig Bellamy personally called Matterson in an eleventh-hour phone call to sign the former NSW Origin star. Picture: Getty Images
On Wednesday night, Matterson released a statement in regards to the contract situation, revealing he wasn’t told until Sunday, and expected to make a decision on his future in a matter of hours.
Matterson claims the first he heard of an offical move came from Melbourne, and not his club Parramatta, in a desperate attempt to not have the case end up in court.
He also claims this all happened while being away from training due to managing concussion symptoms.
“For several weeks I have been away from the club managing concussion symptoms under the care of a neurologist who has guided me through my 10 year career,” Matterson said.
“ during this time a deal that did not directly involve me was negotiated for several months by Parramatta and Melbourne.
“Over this period I was not once formally consulted.”
Matterson’s statement on Eels-Storm discussions. Picture: Instagram
Matterson said while he respected both clubs, he feels he has been the first person blamed for the deal falling over and Lomax being stamped out of the NRL for two years.
The former premiership winner said he feels he is being held responsible for the outcome.
“The first official notification I received from anyone came last Friday from Melbourne Storm, for which brief discussions were held and concluded the same day. It wasn’t until Sunday afternoon where a deal was tabled and I was expected to make a career defining decision hours before a high profile court hearing the following morning,” Matterson said.
“I respect both clubs and hold no ill Will towards anyone involved including Zac however it has been difficult to see the public narrative unfold in the way that suggest I was essential to process that I was not a part of, particularly without being given prior notice or reasonable time to consider a decision of this magnitude, while also managing a serious head injury.
“I was not part of these negotiations. Yet, it seems I am the one being held responsible for the outcome. I was the last to know and the first to be blamed.”
