NRL 2022: Matt Burton’s stats bomb as Bulldogs struggle to fill gaping hole in attack

Michael Ennis believes Canterbury are in danger of turning one of the game’s most exciting attacking players into a bomb-launching machine unless they fix a glaring hole in their roster.

Matt Burton’s stats are way down on his time at Penrith. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Few have seen a bomb like Matt Burton’s – and the few that have hope they will never see it again.

But statistics obtained by The Sunday Telegraph suggest the addition of something Michael Ennis described as ‘an absolute weapon’ has turned what was previously his bazooka into a popgun.

In a major concern for a club that spent almost $2 million dollars trying to score points, Canterbury are in danger of turning one of the game’s most exciting attacking players into a bomb-launching machine with Burton failing to make a single line break since becoming a Bulldog.

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He’s gone from kicking just 3.5 times a game as a Panther to 13 at the Dogs.

Expected to become a ball-running five-eighth in the mould of Brad Fittler after dazzling the NRL with his big body and even big left footstep, Burton has not scored a try or even been credited with a try assist this season.

Matt Burton’s attacking weapons have been blunted at the Bulldogs. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

In fact, aside from his line break assists, every attacking statistic is down since Burton became a full time No.6 at Canterbury.

According to Ennis, the Bulldogs have pulled up the handbrake on Burton’s attack by turning him into a play five specialist.

“Matt has had to step up to do a lot of those yarding kicks,” Ennis said.

“But he really needs a halfback to take control of the attacking kicks to allow him to be able to be a threat with the footy by running on play four with some sort of run shape.

“For the Dogs at the moment, because they haven’t got a traditional No.7, Burton can’t be scheming on plays like three and four because he knows he will have to get them out of trouble with his boot.

“Matty looks like he is thinking he needs to be in position to kick the footy rather than ready to pull the trigger in attack.”

Ennis has blamed Burton’s attacking decline on the No.7s he has been playing alongside.

“It is no surprise that his running metres are down because he has come to the Dogs and there is no genuine No.7,” Ennis said. “With Matty’s kicking game, he is having to become a game manager as well as a ball runner. He is trying to manage both at the moment because they don’t have a genuine half.”

Starting the season with Jake Averillo at No.7 before switching to Brandon Wakeham, the Bulldogs also have Kyle Flanagan on the roster.

Ennis said Burton will not become the No.6 he was brought to the club to be until one of the three step up and become the club’s chief playmaker.

Matt Burton needs a halfback to ease his kicking load in games. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

“They need a No.7 at that club to grab the reins and steer the club around like we see with Reynolds, Cleary,” he said.

“Burton is at his best when he is running. He is a big body with great strength and a huge left foot. On the back of that, he also has a nice passing. It can all come together but for him to become the No. 6 that we all expect him to be, he needs a No.7.”

Despite his decline in attack, Ennis said he has been impressed by Burton in his compromised role.

“I have liked a fair bit of what I have seen from him,” Ennis said.

“But it is going to be a transition for him. He was on the end of a backline that was run by arguably the best halfback in the competition in Nathan Cleary. He saw plenty of footy out in the left hand side so it is no surprise that his attacking numbers are down.”

And as for his bomb.

“It’s ridiculous,” Ennis said. “It is an absolute weapon. There are not many in the game that have a boot like him. The sheer hang time and float is absolutely amazing. I was watching him at the Broncos game and I don’t think I have even seen them move like that.”