NRL 2024: Matt Burton backs ‘one-club player’ incentives, as Bulldogs unleash Jersey Flegg champs in first NRL trial match

Canterbury star Matt Burton says more needs to be done to help clubs keep their one-club players, as Cameron Ciraldo unleashes the Bulldogs’ Jersey Flegg champions in their trial against Melbourne.

Matt Burton believes more needs to be done to help teams retain juniors as one-club players. Picture: NRL Photos

Canterbury Matt Burton believes more should be done to help clubs turn developed talent into one-club players, a commodity that is becoming increasingly rare in the NRL.

It comes as Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo named eight players from last year’s championship winning Jersey Flegg (under-21s) outfit for Thursday’s trial against Melbourne at Belmore.

Eli Clark will start at centre, while backrowers Harry Hayes and Luke Smith, fullback Joash Papali’i, props Jack Todd and Lipoi Hopoi, winger William Afualo and Flegg captain and halfback Joseph O’Neill have all been named in the extended squad.

The rising crop of Bulldogs have all been part of the club’s pathways since either Harold Matthews (under-17s) or SG Ball (under-19s).

With more clubs, like Canterbury, zeroing in on junior development keeping the brightest prospects is becoming a challenge.

The introduction of salary cap discounts ranging from five to 20 per cent have been floated as a way to help ease the problem.

It’s an issue Burton is all too familiar with.

Matt Burton believes more needs to be done to help teams retain juniors as one-club players. Picture: NRL Photos

After being scouted from Dubbo into Penrith’s system and going on to win an NRL title with the Panthers in 2021, a salary cap squeeze at the foot of the mountains meant Burton was lured to Belmore on a three-year deal.

Burton doesn’t want to see the same happen to Canterbury’s top prospects.

“It’s a good question. It’s always hard when they finish their junior footy and there are opportunities coming up elsewhere. I think it’s important when you look at development players, you want to keep them at your club,” Burton told this masthead.

“You want to see them come through all the grades. It’s hard when they get to the stage when clubs are out there chasing players.

“But where we can, you want to see those kids come through but then stay to be one-club players.”

Bulldogs youngsters celebrate their Jersey Flegg grand final win in 2023. Photo: Steve Montgomery

Burton, a bush footy product, also backed a proposed plan by Panthers Group CEO Brian Fletcher to base the NRL’s 18th team in the country rather than the Pacific, Papua New Guinea or Perth.

More NRL clubs are taking their pathways programs into regional areas of NSW but players eventually are forced to relocate to Sydney.

Burton said an NRL club in country NSW would help revive the game in the bush.

“That’s pretty cool, being from the country myself it’s good that there are more pathways now out that way, developing kids from the country and giving them more opportunities,” Burton said.

“There weren’t many (pathways) when I was coming through. There were scouts hanging around but clubs are starting to do more developing out the country and giving kids more opportunities.”

Burton will put his halves combination with new recruit Drew Hutchison to the test on Thursday night after Ciraldo opted for the former Sydney Roosters utility in the no. 7 jumper over Toby Sexton.

Matt Burton will test out his new halves combination with Drew Hutchison in Thursday’s trial against Melbourne. Picture: NRL photos

“He’s one of the older guys in the team, a senior player. He’s come here and really shaken-up the halves spot and he’s putting his best foot forward,” Burton said.

“He takes a lot of pressure off the other halves. For a fullback it helps you with the communication around the middle of the field. He’s been great in the halves.”

Bronson Xerri’s exile is officially with the 23-year old named at centre for his first game since September 2019 after completing a four-year ban for doping.

“He’s been knuckling down trying to learn the system. He’s had a bit of time off, coming back for him is about getting the basics right, getting his body right,” Burton said.

“It’s a long time out of the game but he’s shown that he’s come back in great shape. He’s put his hand up and is competing on everything.

“Fans should be pretty excited to see him get back out there.”

While new recruits Stephen Crichton and Connor Tracey were not named, Jaeman Salmon will make his Bulldogs debut in the no. 13 jumper along with prop Poasa Faamausili, who has been named on the bench.

Originally published as NRL 2024: Matt Burton backs ‘one-club player’ incentives, as Bulldogs unleash Jersey Flegg champs in first NRL trial match