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Tigers grant Matterson permission to negotiate with rival clubs
Adrian Proszenko
Wests Tigers have granted Ryan Matterson permission to negotiate with other clubs in a move that will expedite his departure from the club.
Parramatta, Gold Coast and St George Illawarra are among the teams interested in Matterson’s services and are now free to begin formally negotiating with his management.
Matterson has been unsettled at the joint-venture outfit for some time and first raised the issue with coach Michael Maguire three months ago.
Wests Tigers star Ryan Matterson is free to negotiate with rival clubs.CREDIT:AAP
The 24-year-old is on $350,000 and $425,000 respectively for the next two years of his Tigers deal. He will be able to command significantly more elsewhere given he was on the cusp of selection for the NSW State of Origin team.
The Tigers have continued to train after missing out on the finals, although Matterson was excused last week for “personal reasons”. The former Roosters forward has been unhappy for some time and had been seeing a sports psychologist before heading for a holiday to clear his mind. He was only officially granted permission to explore his options on Friday afternoon.
NRL 2019
There's more to Matterson's Tigers tale than meets the eye
Parramatta have already secured Penrith’s Reagan Campbell-Gillard on a five-year deal and officials are keen to add a marquee back-rower to the pack. Matterson fits the bill, although he fell out with Eels coach Brad Arthur during his stint at the blue and golds. Arthur felt Matterson was a forward at a time when the youngster felt he was a half - and he ended up being dropped all the way down to Ron Massey Cup. The pair resolved their differences not long after Matterson moved, making a return a possibility.
The Gold Coast could be another option. Incoming Titans coach Justin Holbrook has a strong relationship from their time at the Roosters and is keen to shake up the roster.
The Dragons could be in need of another back-rower if Jack de Belin isn’t able to return to the field. The NSW lock’s future is dependent on a court case that is expected to be decided before the start of the 2020 season.
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/sp...gotiate-with-rival-clubs-20190927-p52vld.html
