Eels legend Nathan Hindmarsh says he was “baffled” when he heard that Ryan Matterson had accepted a three-game ban as a substitute of paying a high-quality in a transfer that would damage the grand finalists dearly within the opening rounds.
Matterson had the possibility to pay a $4000 high-quality for a crusher sort out on Penrith’s Dylan Edwards however copped the ban as a substitute in a transfer that shocked followers across the nation.
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The Eels ahead spoke a few days later and slammed the fines system, however it seems he’s had a change of coronary heart with stories he’s backflipped on the choice and now desires to pay the financial penalty.
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It may be too late although, with Matterson set to overlook video games towards the Storm, Sharks and Sea Eagles in a bitter blow for the blue and golds who’ve misplaced grand last forwards Isaiah Papali’i, Oregon Kaufusi, Marata Niukore and Reed Mahoney.
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“You want to be a team player, so that decision baffled me. I was shocked to find out that he took the suspension instead of the fine. It was all very weird,” Hindmarsh instructed the NCA NewsWire.
“I was surprised that anyone would take the fine considering the players we’re losing. Starting a season is so important, and Matto is one of our key players, so I wasn’t happy at all.
“We need the big boppers out there, so for him to miss the first three games of the year hurts because we need to start the season well. He’d make a big difference there because he’s an Origin player and has a lot of experience.”
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The Parramatta nice additionally weighed in on the membership’s battle to maintain star halves Mitchell Moses and Dylan Brown, with the pair free to barter with rival golf equipment for 2024 and past.
Moses has reportedly been linked with massive cash strikes to Sydney golf equipment, whereas the Dolphins are determined to land an enormous fish like Brown on a long-term deal.
Keeping them is crucial given they mixed for 47 attempt assists final season and had been an enormous cause why the Eels reached the grand last.
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The Eels are going to should fork out the large bucks in the event that they wish to maintain the dynamic halves pairing, however Hindmarsh says the membership shouldn’t be held hostage if Moses and Brown aren’t keen to commit.
“It’s a tricky one,” the 330-game veteran mentioned.
“I think it’s vital we keep at least one of them, but in saying that, if the boys decide they don’t want to play for the club, then that’s up to them.
“The club shouldn’t bend over backwards to keep players who don’t want to be there.
“It was a bit different when I was around. We enjoyed playing for the club and we tended to upgrade and extend our deals before it got messy.”