NRL 2020: Penrith Panther Matt Burton in top 30 after impressive debut

The memory of a mate who shared the same dream of playing in the NRL is keeping this young gun grounded ahead of the 2020 season.

Matt Burton wearing his mates headgear during his debut with the Panthers last season.

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A small tattoo will replace the special headgear rugby league teenager Matt Burton wore in his NRL debut for the Penrith Panthers in tribute to a childhood mate.

Burton said the black headgear owned by his friend and St John’s Dubbo teammate Sam Fraser, who drowned at 16 in an accident at the Macquarie River, will be framed along with the jersey he wore during his first game for the Panthers against the Cronulla Sharks.

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“I have always done that as a kid. He was my best mate. I always wore his headgear and had his name on my wrist,’’ said Burton, 19, a star of the NSW under-20s in 2019 before his debut call-up to the NRL last August.

Penrith's Matt Burton during Penrith Panthers NRL training last year. Pic: Brett Costello

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“It reminds me why I am here and what I am doing it for.’’

And while the headgear will be retired, the memory of his mate will be with Burton every time he steps on the field as he plays out the dream they plotted together as rugby league mad kids.

“Everyone dreams about that, playing NRL,’’ Burton said.

Now Burton is living the dream after Penrith promoted the young playmaker to the club’s top 30 squad.

“His performance on NRL debut showed he possesses both the skill and the temperament required to handle the challenge of first-grade,’’ said coach Ivan Cleary.

Matt Burton with his black headgear during his debut against the Sharks in August last year.

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Aiding Burton’s goal to be a regular on the field this season is his strong work ethic.

“I worked a lot. My parents taught me how to work,’’ said Burton, bought up in Dubbo but now based in Penrith in a team house with fellow players.

“I have always had a part time job. All different. A lifeguard at the pool, I worked at a laundry mat, been a kitchen hand. My parents manage a pub and I give them a hand.

“The goal is to work hard and try and get more first grade NRL games.’’

Penrith will host reigning premiers, the Sydney Roosters, in round one of the 2020 NRL.

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