Burton's 'unfinished business' behind NFL snub

1 year ago 65

Bulldogs prima Matt Burton's breakout 2022 NRL show attracted involvement from the NFL, his subordinate cause has confirmed.

Speaking connected podcast, The Bye Round with James Graham, apical manager David Riolo confirmed he'd fielded invitations for Burton to instrumentality portion successful the NFL Combine adjacent February, but said heading stateside "is not connected our agenda".

"He could bash it time the mode helium kicks a ball, but helium wants to play footy," Riolo said.

"He's lone young, he's got goals ... the goals haven't been achieved. He played Origin this year, he's played for Australia, but helium wants to beryllium a starting subordinate successful Origin."

Riolo said Burton hoped to beryllium a starting No.6 some successful a Blues and Kangaroos jersey.

"So he's got those benignant of goals, and helium wants to assistance the Bulldogs ... revive from wherever they are."

Riolo said Burton had besides fielded involvement from rugby astir a imaginable codification switch, but helium was focused connected the NRL.

"I deliberation he's got immoderate concern helium wants to instrumentality attraction of successful the athletics he's grown up loving," helium said.

Burton weaponry stuns commentators

"I spoke with his mum erstwhile helium got picked for Australia ... she said helium ever walked astir successful an Australian No.6 jersey - the aged Kangaroos jersey - erstwhile helium was six oregon 7 years old, and she's inactive got it."

Burton became a escaped cause connected November 1, but Riolo said determination was "no reason" his young prima wouldn't re-sign with the Bulldogs.

Speaking to 9News earlier flying retired to England for the World Cup, Burton said helium "100 per cent" wanted to stay astatine the Bulldogs for the agelong term.

Riolo admitted declaration negotiations had slowed portion Burton was successful England, but confirmed he'd had respective conversations with him portion away.

"Phil Gould isn't disquieted astir (the November 1 deadline). I'm not disquieted astir that. Gus is simply a truly bully relation with that club. And I met with Cameron (Ciraldo) the different week ... and he's an awesome guy," Riolo said.

"There's a process to enactment through, and I'm not doing my occupation (as an agent) if I don't look astatine what commercialized opportunities determination are for him.

"But for Bulldogs fans and for Bulldogs faithful, unless it goes horribly askew, there'd beryllium nary crushed (he wouldn't motion a contract), provided they tin travel up with a marketplace complaint with his marketplace value, which I can't spot immoderate crushed wherefore they wouldn't."

For a regular dose of the champion of the breaking quality and exclusive contented from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!