BARRETT WANTS BURTON NOW
The rumours keep swirling that Panthers’ gun rookie Matt Burton will end up at the Bulldogs next season, if not, in 2022 and new coach Trent Barrett has added more fuel declaring he’d like the 20-year-old at Belmore next season.
“We’d love Matt on board here next year,’’ Trent Barrett told
The Sydney Morning Herald.
“He’s only a young player but he’s someone with a lot of ability and whose pathway is a bit blocked at Penrith.
“He’d certainly be handy. He needs to decide where he wants to be in 2022 and 2023 first.
“We’ve got two spots left. There will be a lot of moving parts in regards to recruitment.”
Burton is considered a star of the future but is stuck behind Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai at Penrith. He comes off contract at the end of next season, which means he’s free to neogitate with rivals for 2022 and beyond and it’s not secret the Bulldogs are keen on the young half.
The Panthers have previously said they’re willing to play Burton out of position if it means keeping him at the club but with former assistant coach Trent Barrett joining the Bulldogs and in need of another half it’s looking more and more likely Burton will end up there.
The Bulldogs tabled a two-year deal worth $800,000 to Burton for 2022 and 2023 but should Burton sign it, the Panthers could feel increased pressure to release him early to join next season.