In an extraordinary turn of events, the Canterbury Bulldogs are now considering letting their star five-eighth Matt Burton leave before the end of his 2027 contract expiry as they look to the future.
Burton is contracted at Belmore until the end of the ’27, but the club has been told he’s interested in playing elsewhere in that final year: Namely, the Perth Bears, who have already informally reached out.
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The Bulldogs aren’t too fussed about the approach, considering they’re trying to figure out where to play young gun Lachlan Galvin; he’s appeared at halfback several times alongside Burton, but his long-term role would be more as a six, mainly because that’s his natural style. The issue, of course, is that means Burton has to play elsewhere to stay.
Though Burton was born in Dubbo, he has links to Perth through family, which is why he’s interested.
The five-eighth is also keen to play with his brother-in-law, Aston Warwick, at some stage.
For the Bears, it could be the windfall they need to build their first NRL roster, with Burton potentially able to link up with Toby Sexton in the halves again should they sign both. Each would be available in 2027.
It would instantly make Perth into a finals contender with two signings – the Canterbury Bulldogs were arguably hot premiership favourites for much of the season (though have since been dethroned by Canberra and Melbourne late on in that regard), and that leading role came through Burton-Sexton. Galvin’s arrival may even have cost them the premiership.
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With the six and seven locked in — Sexton as halfback, Burton as five-eighth again — then the west coast expansion side could focus on landing some big names in the forward pack and at hooker. They would face staunch resistance by some other NRL clubs though, especially South Sydney, St George Illawarra, and Burton’s old team, Penrith.
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On the other side, this thing makes little sense to this Base writer. The Bulldogs shouldn’t even be entertaining the idea, with Burton a versatile player that could easily move into the backline instead of leaving. Some might even argue that’s a better swap for the team, with Burton then able to play-make from the three or four role alongside two leading Canterbury halves.
But, even if it makes little sense, the Bulldogs have said they’re open to it all “in the right circumstances.”
For now, Burton remains signed with the Bulldogs through to 2027
He’s expected to keep his halves role for this season; they just beat Penrith 28–4.
