Ryan Matterson will remain with Parramatta for the next four years after rejecting the Dolphins’ poaching bid and recommitting to the Eels.
Parramatta coach Brad Arthur confirmed the re-signing of the New South Wales State of Origin back-rower after the Eels beat the Roosters 26-16 at CommBank Stadium on Saturday night.
Matterson has reportedly re-signed with the Eels for $2.4 million over the four years.
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“I’m not sure if he’s actually signed the contract, but he’s committed to the club moving forward. It’s good for the club,” Arthur said in his post-match press conference.
“It’s hard to keep them all together, but I think the club’s done a good job to put ourselves in this position where the boys want to stay.
“Matto announced it to the team tonight, so it was a nice boost for us going into the game.”
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Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins had been pursuing the signature of Matterson on a deal from 2023.
The re-signing of the 27-year-old is particularly crucial given the Eels will lose back-rowers Isaiah Papali’i (Wests Tigers), Marata Niukore (Warriors) and Ray Stone (Dolphins) at the end of this season.
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Matterson has played 132 NRL games with the Roosters, Tigers and Eels since making his debut in 2016.
He made his NSW Origin debut in the Blues’ 16-10 loss to the Maroons in game one.
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