Bulldogs superstar Matt Burton’s agent has revealed he was approached by NFL scouts to take part in the combine — but his client has “unfinished business” in rugby league.
Burton’s kicking ability caught the eye of sports fans across the world and his monster boot garnered attention in the American code.
David Riolo, who is one of rugby league’s biggest player agents and represents the Bulldogs gun, said that while the NFL isn’t on his client’s radar at this stage, he could be open to a move later in his career.
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“Look that is not on our radar at this stage, he has been approached by scouts, to do stuff like that (the NFL combine) and kick,” Riolo asked on The Bye Round with James Graham.
“He could do it tomorrow the way he kicks a ball, but he wants to play footy and he is only young and has goals.”
“When the NFL come knocking, did you just call Matt Burton and say ‘they want you to go to this combine’ and he just says ‘no’,” Graham asked.
“Yep, it’s something down the track, he can kick a ball,” Riolo said.
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“The ARU are the same, they came and said they’d love to be involved, but I think he has some business he needs to take care of in the sport he has grown up loving.
“His goals haven’t been achieved yet, he wants to be a starting player in Origin, one day at No.6, one day in the Australian jersey.
“And he wants to help the Bulldogs revive from where they are, but there’s a process to go through and I am not doing my job if I don’t look what commercial opportunities there are for him.”
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Riolo also explained that there is “no reason” why Burton wouldn’t re-sign with the Bulldogs after coming off-contract on November 1.
The gun playmaker has an option in his favour for the 2024 season but will likely sign a lucrative deal worth around $1 million per-season.
“But for Bulldogs fans and faithful, unless it goes horribly askew there will be no reason, provided they can come up with his market value, which I can’t see any reason why they wouldn’t (sign a contract),” Riolo said.
“We’ve had some really positive talks, it has been slower than normal because Matt’s been away, we’ve had three or four conversations while he’s been away and I told him I will ramp it up a bit and have a few things when he gets back.
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“No one is after November 1, Phil Gould’s not worried about that, I’m not worried about that.
“I met with Cameron (Ciraldo) last week and he is an impressive guy, Burto gets on with him really well.
“The Dogs have been fantastic with Matt, he has enjoyed the move but it was a tough move because he wants to play five-eighth, he has always wanted to play five-eighth.
“He proved a pretty handy centre when he went through the year and won a comp, he is a rugby league player, he can play anywhere that kid.
“He’s happy at the Dogs, he likes the new coach, we just have a process to work through.”
