Rugby league great Wendell Sailor has taken aim at Ryan Matterson after the Eels star opted to be suspended rather than pay a fine.
The Parramatta backrower was sanctioned for a crusher tackle on Penrith’s Dylan Edwards during last year’s NRL grand final.
Under the revamped NRL penalty system, Matterson had the option of paying a $4000 fine or being suspended for three season games.
READ MORE: Smith reveals ruthless India ploy behind strange Aussie plan
READ MORE: US skiing world champion killed in ‘absolute worst nightmare’
READ MORE: Great’s shock answer to burning Djokovic question
He chose the latter, labelling the monetary amount “absurd” and accusing the governing body of taking too much cash off the players.
He later attempted to back-track and change his decision to a fine, and the Eels also approached the NRL with the request, but were knocked back.
It means Matterson – a New South Wales Origin representative forward – will miss the club’s opening three games against Melbourne, Cronulla, and Manly.
”Ryan Matterson… I know he’s a good player, but for me I would have just paid the money,” Sailor told Triple M radio on Tuesday.
“He would be on five or $600,000 a year, then there’s other stuff on the side that.
“What it says to me is he would rather sit out three games than try to win a grand final or competition points.
“He should have known, him doing that says to the players and the club, ‘money is more important than playing for the jersey’.”
Seibold responds to ‘uneducated’ Sea Eagles gret
The $4000 equates to approximately one third of Matterson’s weekly income.
Sailor isn’t the first high-profile star to speak out against Matterson’s decision, with former Blues forward Aaron Woods taking aim at the Eels second-rower in October.
”He’s just one of the tightest humans you’ll meet. I can’t believe it, there’s no way I’d miss a game, I’d pay $50,000 to play one game,” Woods said.
“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.
“I don’t understand, some people would be dying to play an NRL game and he’s missing it for $4000.”
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!
