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BURTON’S DREAM COMPLETED EARLy
Matt Burton did not include an Origin debut let alone an Australian jumper when he sat down to write out his goals at the start of the year.
But the Bulldogs five-eighth is now on the verge of being part of the Kangaroos’ world cup squad as he pushes his case for selection in the PM’s XIII side to take on PNG on Sunday.
“I do usually set goals but I would not have thought I would’ve played in the PM’s match and I certainly didn’t think of the World Cup,” Burton said. “It wasn’t one of my goals but always something I wanted to reach. I didn’t expect to get picked in Origin so that was unreal.”
Burton is in the mix alongside Cronulla’s Nicho Hynes for a utility spot in Australia’s 24-man squad having shown his ability to handle the halves and centre roles. He only just met Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga this week when the players entered camp in Brisbane.
Burton has used his time away from the field to reflect on his first season at the Bulldogs.
“I thought of things I could work on,” Burton said. “Attacking more is the main one. I’ve come in from centre and changed to five-eighth.”
A World Cup appearance would delay Burton from reuniting with new Canterbury coach Cameron Ciraldo. The pair grew close during Burton’s time at Penrith and have spoken since Ciraldo’s appointment.
“It’s going to be great to have that stability at the club,” Burton said. “He is a smart man and will bring a lot. He is pretty up front with players and that’s what you want.
“I had a little chat to him a while back. It was when he signed and we had a chat about next year. “There wasn’t too much to it but I’m looking forward to meeting up with him in person.”
Matt Burton did not include an Origin debut let alone an Australian jumper when he sat down to write out his goals at the start of the year.
But the Bulldogs five-eighth is now on the verge of being part of the Kangaroos’ world cup squad as he pushes his case for selection in the PM’s XIII side to take on PNG on Sunday.
“I do usually set goals but I would not have thought I would’ve played in the PM’s match and I certainly didn’t think of the World Cup,” Burton said. “It wasn’t one of my goals but always something I wanted to reach. I didn’t expect to get picked in Origin so that was unreal.”
Burton is in the mix alongside Cronulla’s Nicho Hynes for a utility spot in Australia’s 24-man squad having shown his ability to handle the halves and centre roles. He only just met Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga this week when the players entered camp in Brisbane.
Burton has used his time away from the field to reflect on his first season at the Bulldogs.
“I thought of things I could work on,” Burton said. “Attacking more is the main one. I’ve come in from centre and changed to five-eighth.”
A World Cup appearance would delay Burton from reuniting with new Canterbury coach Cameron Ciraldo. The pair grew close during Burton’s time at Penrith and have spoken since Ciraldo’s appointment.
“It’s going to be great to have that stability at the club,” Burton said. “He is a smart man and will bring a lot. He is pretty up front with players and that’s what you want.
“I had a little chat to him a while back. It was when he signed and we had a chat about next year. “There wasn’t too much to it but I’m looking forward to meeting up with him in person.”
