Paul Crawley Files: Matt Burton emerging as real success story for Bulldogs recruitment

The Bulldogs have copped plenty of recruitment flak over the years, but their signing of a player who reminds many of a young Brad Fittler could end up being a stroke of genius, writes PAUL CRAWLEY.

Eels players form a huddle after their loss in the NRL Semi Final between the Parramatta Eels and South Sydney Rabbitohs at Bankwest Stadium, Parramatta. Picture: Brett Costello

The Bulldogs have copped plenty of bad publicity in recent years over their long list of dud recruits. But Matt Burton has to be the raging favourite to finish as this year’s bargain buy.

On a reported $450,000, they say his wage will only go up to $500,000 next year, while there is an option in his favour for 2024.

If that money is even close to the mark, he’s a steal.

To put it into perspective, the Dogs were paying Lachlan Lewis $450,000 last season.

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Matt Burton has made an immediate impact at the Bulldogs. Artwork: Boo Bailey

And let’s go around the grounds and do a quick recap of what some of the other halves were on in last year’s NRL Rich 100.

At the top end of town was Daly Cherry-Evans ($1.175m), Ben Hunt ($1.1m), Cameron Munster ($1m), Nathan Cleary ($940,000), Mitchell Moses ($920,000), Luke Keary ($850,000), Jack Wighton ($846,000), Jahrome Hughes ($700,000) and Cody Walker ($650,000).

Luke Brooks is on $850,000. Adam Reynolds is on $800,000 at the Broncos, so is Chad Townsend at the Cowboys. They reckon Dylan Brown will rise to $800,000 next year.

I know Burton doesn’t have the same runs on the board playing in the halves just yet.

But by the end of next year, who knows where this 22-year-old could be?

I certainly haven’t seen a player who reminds me more of a young Brad Fittler in the past 30 years.

NRL rival declares Eels overrated pretenders

A rival coach gave his assessment of Parramatta this week.

Without giving anyone up, it wasn’t exactly positive. In a nutshell, he said Brad Arthur’s team were overrated pretenders.

And like it or lump it, this coach is not alone in that view because you hear it in conversations with many around the game.

When people are speaking candidly and not for the cameras.

No one argues the Eels aren’t a good squad which, on its day, has shown it can match it with the best. But, unless you are a Parramatta diehard, would you want the Eels playing for your life come the first Sunday in October?

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The Eels are yet to make it past week two of the finals under Brad Arthur.

When teams like the Panthers, Storm and Roosters are in top gear and there are no second chances.

Remember, the Eels are yet to make it past week two of the finals under Arthur.

Which brings us to Parramatta’s clash against the Storm on Saturday in Melbourne, where the Eels haven’t won outside the Origin period since round six, 2005 (when Brian Smith was coaching).

While it isn’t make or break for either side, what will it reveal about the Eels if they go down to AAMI Park against a Storm side missing Harry Grant, Christian Welch, Tui Kamikamica and, potentially, Brandon Smith and come home without the two points?

Will you still see them as genuine contenders, or will it raise concerns that we are looking at another false dawn?

Since Parramatta’s last premiership in 1986, the Eels have used 380 players in their quest to break the longest current title drought.

They have had 10 different coaches in that time. From the last premiership winner John Monie (1984-89) to Mick Cronin (1990-93), Ron Hilditch (1994-96), Brian Smith (1997-2006), Jason Taylor (2006), Michael Hagan (2007-08), Daniel Anderson (2009-10), Stephen Kearney (2011-12), Arthur (2012), Ricky Stuart (2013) and Arthur (2014-current).

Brad Arthur needs a big performance from his team against Melbourne this weekend.

All gave their best, some went awfully close — Monie, of course, went all the way in 1986.

Yet, since then, there has only been two more grand final appearances, two minor premierships, 14 finals appearances and three wooden spoons … but zero titles.

Fast forward to this weekend.

Everyone knows the Eels’ premiership window could easily slam shut this year when Reed Mahoney, Isaiah Papali’i and Marata Nuikore all move on.

But for a team that went into the season with many suggesting it was this particular Parramatta squad’s now-or-never moment, they have been more than a little underwhelming in the opening rounds.

After lapping Penrith 36-0 in their final trial (which came on the back of that gutsy loss to the Panthers in week two of the finals last year), the Eels scraped home in round one against the Titans, before going down to the Sharks in another cliffhanger.

Now they head south — without Ryan Matterson, Niukore, Maika Sivo, Haze Dunster, Sean Russell and Jake Arthur — to take on an understrength Storm, who will be motivated to show what they can do when they have their backs to the wall.

Over the years Parramatta have played the Storm 40 times, with the Eels winning just 16.

While in Victoria, the Storm have won 12 of 18, with Parra’s last win down there in 2017 during Origin. Before that it was 2015, also during Origin.

It’s a big weekend for Mitchell Moses and Brad Arthur.

And even though Parra has won three of last four, including both last year in games played at Parramatta and in Brisbane, what surprises me is the betting odds for this match.

Even though the Storm is missing three key players in Grant, Smith and Welsh, the TAB still has Melbourne $1.50 favourite in head-to-head betting with the Eels paying $2.60.

I just can’t believe the odds given how scratchy the Storm have been.

But what’s that tell you?

To me it says, very clearly, it’s not just one coach questioning Parramatta’s credentials.

Originally published as Paul Crawley Files: Matt Burton emerging as real success story for Bulldogs recruitment