NRL 2021: Nathan Cleary believes Matt Burton, Jake Averillo hard done by in contract saga

One door opens, one door closes, which is why Penrith co-captain Nathan Cleary feels sorry for respected Bulldog Jake Averillo, who is caught up in the Matt Burton trade deal.

2021 NRL Round 01 – Newcastle Knights v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, McDonald Jones Stadium, 2021-03-12. Digital image by Grant Trouville � NRL Photos

Penrith co-captain Nathan Cleary says he ‘feels sorry’ for five-eighth Jake Averillo, the man expected to make way for Matt Burton at Canterbury in season 2021.

Burton, who has signed a lucrative deal with the Bulldogs from 2022, has been at the centre of constant speculation over his immediate future at the foot of the mountains.

Since inking the deal in November, Canterbury have been trying to lure Burton to Belmore as soon as this season.

The forgotten man in the never ending contract saga is local junior Averillo, who in October last year extended his time at the club until the end of season 2023.

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Late last year, Averillo revealed to The Daily Telegraph that new coach Trent Barrett was aware of his ambitions to play in the halves, rather than in the outside backs.

“I think Averillo is a good player, he’s playing five-eighth at the Bulldogs. He’s probably a bit hard done by himself. I do feel a little bit sorry for him. He’s a really good player. We’re going to have to be on our A-game defending him on the weekend,” Cleary said.

Jake Averillo is expected to make way for Matt Burton in season 2021. Picture: NRL Photos

But Cleary also believes the suggestion that Burton wants out of his Panthers deal early is also unfair on the rising playmaker.

Burton is touted as a future NRL star but is stuck behind Jarome Luai and Cleary in the halves pecking order at Penrith.

“The way he has gone about things, is a class act. It’s why he is such a good player,” Cleary said.

“He’s been the best trainer the whole pre-season. He has never kicked stones and has come in with a good attitude every day. So he’s probably a bit hard done by in that respect [that people think he wants to leave] because it’s constantly being brought up.”

In an ironic twist to the saga, Burton is actually expected to line-up as Averillo when the Panthers conduct an opposed contact session later in the week as Ivan Cleary prepares his side to take on former attack coach and new Canterbury coach Trent Barrett for the first time.

“Kurt Falls is coming in and he’ll probably be the halfback so he will pose as Flanno [Flanagan] and Burto will pose as Averillo,” Cleary said.

Nathan Cleary says Burton has never indicated he wanted to leave Penrith early. Picture: Joel Carrett

While Saturday’s clash against Canterbury has all the hallmarks of a NRL grudge match, Penrith forward and co-captain Isaah Yeo won’t be buying into any of the hype.

Despite the defection of Barrett and Burton, and the recruitment of former Penrith forward Jack Hetherington to Belmore, Yeo believes the real fire works between the two sides has happened in the boardroom.

Penrith Chairman Dave O’Neill has openly expressed his frustration at big money deals thrown at inexperienced players.

Canterbury signed Burton on a two-year deal worth around $1 million having played only six NRL games, three from the bench.

“It’s more the boards because of the Burto [Burton] stuff. As players, there is no grudge match whatsoever. Everyone in the building respects him and everyone has a good relationship with him,” Yeo said.

“There seems to be a lot said particularly from David O’Neill and Brian Fletcher [CEO] but as the players go [there are no grudges].”