Parramatta Eels’ $600,000 man offered to Super League clubs

A Parramatta Eels player with another year left on his contract has been offered an early release with a Super League switch a possibility.

Ryan Matterson has found himself playing in the New South Wales Cup this year but the Eels have granted the forward permission to “explore his options on the open market”.

That’s according to The Daily Telegraph with the Australian outlet reporting that the 30-year-old is free to leave the club if he can find himself a deal.

Matterson came through the Eels system as a promising youngster, representing New South Wales and Australia at youth level before signing a three-year deal with Parramatta.

Despite signing that, he wouldn’t make his NRL debut with them as Sydney Roosters snapped him up but he eventually found his way back to Parramatta, by way of Wests Tigers.

Matterson has been with the Eels since 2020 and even earned a State of Origin call-up in the 2022 season but under new head coach Jason Ryles, he’s found himself out of the team.

Super League clubs on alert as Ryan Matterson offered exit

He has made just one appearance this season and that came in the Eels’ 50-12 loss to Canberra Raiders. With his $600,000 salary weighing heavy in the New South Wales Cup, the club have told him he is free to explore his options.

That could see him make a move to Super League with his agents, the Orr brothers, recently in England for Super League Magic Weekend where plenty of negotiations take place.

Matterson’s management had requested the permission to speak with rival clubs which would suggest that the player wants out, despite having another year on his contract from when he signed his four-year $2.4 million extension in 2022.

The fourth and final year of his deal is a player option though so he can walk away from it and it looks like that could be the case, given this news, with the forward seemingly looking for more regular playing time.

Recently Parramatta released Joe Ofahengaue with the forward joining Leigh Leopards and sining at Magic Weekend,