NRL transfer talk: ‘There’s drama at the Wests Tigers’
Less than a week after their season was ended in heartbreaking fashion, it’s not the news Wests Tigers fans wanted to hear — keep up to date with all the latest NRL transfer talk.
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Their season ended in heartbreak just five days ago but the news could soon get worse for Wests Tigers fans.
Gun recruit Ryan Matterson has been a shining light for Wests Tigers in 2019, but just one season into a three-year contract there are rumblings the former Roosters forward is unhappy according to The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield.
“There’s drama at the Wests Tigers,” he told Fox League’s NRL 360.
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“The guy I think’s been there best player all year, Ryan Matterson, has reportedly fallen out with the coach Michael Maguire.
“We have made further investigations and we’re hearing it mightn’t necessarily be the relationship with Madge but it’s his pay packet.
“He joined the Wests Tiger on a salary on $350,000 from the Roosters.
“He has been their best player, and he’s got Russell Packer, Ben Matulino and Josh Reynolds on double his money who have done nothing.
“He’s not the first player to do that (ask for more money). When you look at the salaries of the players I mentioned, if it was me I’d be jumping up and down and wanting more money too.”
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Matterson’s money demand isn’t the first big news of the NRL’s silly season. While there are still four weeks until the grand final, the player market is already in swing as clubs eye a head start on 2020.
Earlier this week, Rothfield reported that Penrith prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard was a done deal to join Parramatta next season.
Meanwhile his Panthers teammate Wayde Egan has been told he is free to find a new home.
It’s not all one-way traffic at the foot of the mountains however, with Ivan Cleary looking to bolster his pack with the signing of Roosters prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.
Elsewhere Josh Morris has been linked with a move away from Cronulla as the club makes moves to bring Jesse Ramien back to the Shire.
But the veteran Sharks centre has hosed down speculation he was just one loss away from ending his one-year stint at the Sharks, with even a return to St George Illawarra mooted.
“I’ve spoken to my manager — they are just rumours,” Morris said.
Morris’ Sharks teammate Matt Prior has addressed his NRL future amid speculation he could be squeezed out of the club.