NRL 2023: Parramatta Eels’ Ryan Matterson backflips on accepting three-game ban over $4000 fine
The Parramatta Eels are on a collision course with the NRL after launching an audacious bid to have Ryan Matterson’s controversial three-game suspension turned into a $4000 fine.
Parramatta Eels forward Ryan Matterson has backflipped on his controversial decision to sit out the first three games of next year’s NRL premiership, offering to pay a $4000 fine instead.
However, the NRL is standing firm and is unlikely to accept his change of heart from the position which left Matterson being slammed for putting his pay packet ahead of the club and the jersey.
Matterson was charged with a crusher tackle on Penrith fullback Dylan Edwards in the Eels’ grand final loss to the Panthers in October and originally rejected the chance to cop a fine and instead chose to miss three weeks.
Matterson and the Eels have since lodged an objection with the NRL which has gone to judiciary chairman Geoff Bellew for consideration.
Bellew’s initial response was to reject the application but the Eels have made a fresh bid to prove the circumstances around the timing of Matterson’s plea were unfair.
An NRL spokesman said: “we are in dialogue with the Parramatta club regarding the matter.”
The Eels appear to have a fair case in that regard.
Matterson was charged on the Monday morning – a public holiday – and had only 24 hours to enter a plea.
He was at an Eels fan day and then spent the night drowning his sorrows with his teammates.
The Eels applied for a time extension on the Tuesday but were given only two hours.
They claim Matterson would have made a different decision with more time to think about it.
The Eels have a tough draw in the opening three rounds against Melbourne Storm and the Cronulla Sharks at home and then the Manly Sea Eagles away. Their run doesn’t get any easier with matches against reigning premiers Penrith and then the Sydney Roosters.
They have already lost forwards Isaiah Papali’i, Marata Niukore, Oregon Kaufusi as well as hooker Reed Mahoney from their grand final pack.
Matterson was originally slammed for electing to miss games rather than pay the fine.
Veteran Dragons forward Aaron Woods described him as “the tightest human.”
“I can’t believe it, there’s no way I’d miss a game.
“I don’t understand, some people would be dying to play an NRL game and he’s missing three for $4000.
“If he was at the Dragons he’d be in the other change room because he wouldn’t be allowed in our one, he’d be with the NSW Cup team.”
Matterson earns $600,000 a season at the Eels.
He initially went out of his way to defend his decision.
“If you do something wrong at work, they don’t take money off you,” he said.
“I’m playing rugby league, it’s just getting quicker and quicker and people are getting stronger and stronger – and the game keeps changing rules.
“The fines need to go. It didn’t make sense to me. It makes you think ‘Where is this game heading?’”
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