“Where is the game heading” – NRL calls out rival player for “kicking” in rant about “absurd” offences
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 20: Ryan Matterson of the Eels scores a try and celebrates during the round fifteen NRL match between the Parramatta Eels and Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs at Bankwest Stadium on June 20, 2021 in Sydney, Australia. Photo by Pete Dovgan/Speed Media/Icon Sportswire RUGBY: JUN 20 NRL Rd 15 - Eels v Bulldogs Icon2106200005
Since the conclusion of the NRL Grand Final between Penrith and Parramatta, Ryan Matterson has been making headlines.
The Eels forward suffered defeat in the Grand Final as the Panthers claimed a second consecutive title with a 28-12 win over the Eels.
Matterson’s week got worse when he was charged with a crusher tackle from the game which, after the changing of the NRL juidicary system, could have either yielded a three-match ban or a $4000 fine.
Controversially, Matterson accepted the ban seemingly putting himself before the club going into the 2023 season.
However, he has now defended his decision having already paid plenty in the way of fines for what he called “absurd” offences as he questioned where the game was heading.
He even called out a Panthers player for kicking.
Matterson said to the APP: “I just feel that $4000 is pretty hefty considering I have already paid close to $4000 in fines this year for things that are absurd.
“At the end of the day I have personal things I need to worry about outside of rugby league. I just didn’t think it was warranted.
“If you do something wrong at work. They don’t take money off you.
“I didn’t do anything wrong. I’m playing rugby league.
“It’s just getting quicker and quicker, and people are getting stronger and stronger – and the game keeps changing rules.
“Considering Jarome Luai is kicking players and he didn’t get cited. It makes you think ‘Where is this game heading?’”
Luai, who himself is in trouble for using a racial slur in a celebratory Instagram post after the Grand Final and could miss the World Cup game against England, responded to the remarks again on Instagram with three mocking crying emojis on his story.