NRL 2024: Bulldogs fuming over Matt Burton unavailability due to State of Origin 18th man selection

For the third time in the last four Origin matches, Matt Burton is 18th man for the Blues and unavailable for the Bulldogs, a move which has the club fuming that it could jeopardise their finals hopes.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – MAY 17: Matt Burton of the Bulldogs runs the ball during the round 11 NRL match between Canberra Raiders and Canterbury Bulldogs at Suncorp Stadium, on May 17, 2024, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

The Bulldogs are privately fuming that their finals hopes could be jeopardised by star playmaker Matt Burton being ruled out of a crucial clash with the Knights on Friday night after being named 18th man for the NSW State of Origin team.

It is the third time in the last four Origin matches that the Dogs have had their most influential playmaker deemed unavailable due to his selection as the 18th man for the Blues.

Burton will spend the entire game one build-up inside NSW State of Origin camp this week without any certainty that he will be required to play against Queensland in Sydney next Wednesday night.

Adding to Canterbury’s frustration is that the 19th man for the Blues, Roosters halfback Luke Keary, the most likely replacement for starting halfback Nicho Hynes, who is managing a calf complaint, is allowed to return to the Roosters ahead of their clash with the Cowboys on Sunday afternoon.

“That’s not fair. I understand the Bulldogs’ disappointment that their man is the 18th player, he plays five-eighth for them, but if Nicho Hynes drops out, Keary will come into the side and he (Burton) still can’t play for the Bulldogs,” Respected commentator Andrew Voss said on SEN.

“The Bulldogs need Burton this weekend against Newcastle.

Matt Burton won’t be available for the Bulldogs against the Knights. Picture: Hannah Peters/Getty Images

Matt Burton and Zac Lomax arriving at the Blues’ team hotel Picture: Rohan Kelly

“Yet the Roosters will get Keary, it’s frustrating for the Dogs.”

Blues 20th man Mitchell Marnett would have also been allowed to leave camp and play for the Warriors, had they not been drawn the bye this weekend.

Burton was named the Blues 18th man for Origin I and II last series with the five-eighth also unable to play for the Dogs at the time.

The 10th-placed Bulldogs are chasing their first finals appearance in seven seasons and can leapfrog the seventh-placed Knights with a victory on Friday night.

Drew Hutchison has been named to replace Burton in the Bulldogs halves with Jacob Kiraz moving from the wing to cover NSW centre Stephen Crichton.

Blake Wilson has been named to play on the wing.

Originally published as NRL 2024: Bulldogs fuming over Matt Burton unavailability due to State of Origin 18th man selection