Confirmed: Matterson released from Wests Tigers.

[Bula]

@Harvey I agree. Send the message to him, his manager and the NRL. He is staying. If he really is sick, WT will look after him. End of story.

Last time I looked, "The coach is doing my head in" wasn't a recognised condition.

 

[Curly_Tiger]

Very hard to know based on the information we have. But if it’s all about $ surely we have the upper hand. We can hold him to his contract for 20-21 and lose him then or we can upgrade him now or anytime before the end of it, obviously more likely sooner and less likely later. The only way we let him walk is if we get something in return
That said, there is a question as to whether we want him now based on this apparent performance
Regardless, I’ll back the club and the coach to sort out a problem which has arisen from left field and which is in no way due to any shortcomings from the Tigers

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Why would the club feel the need to announce that he’s been given the rest of 2019 off. Why would they not keep in house? Very strange.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Why would the club feel the need to announce that he’s been given the rest of 2019 off. Why would they not keep in house? Very strange.

I was told near a week ago he was gone, Same bloke who told me about Capewell. This news is on the footballing grapevine between coaches/managers,

 

[Blocker1963]

The disappointment for most fans, would be that they had great expectations that the Club had started to attract quality footballers. As a coach, Michael Maguire will bring a winning culture similar to Melbourne, but it will take time. I myself had high expectations that one day he would lead the club, and promote a great culture to young players. I seem to think that the advice that he has received and followed has been a mistake. Only time will tell, but as the saying goes Nobody is irreplaceable.

 

[Guest]

We gain nothing by dropping him to reggies - absolutely nothing. You've got a guy on $425k next season wasting away our salary cap when we could be actively chasing someone who wants to be here and make our roster more competitive - think about it - we've got no value out of Packer thus far, nor can we move him on and he's on big coin which is going to waste.

What the NRL needs to do is introduce a compensation fee for clubs who have players that spit the dummy over money or whatever and attempt to walk - I'd make it a straight up 25% fee to the club of the value of the player to the club he's going to - so if the Eels want to throw $700k at Matterson, we pocket $175k compensation on top of freeing up whatever we were paying him. It may make other clubs think twice about poaching players under contract.

 

[StarswithStripes]

Clubs give players permission to look elsewhere ahead of contract end, but they recognise they have to honour the contract if the player can’t find a new club. We’re seeing that play out right now. Players seem to have an upper hand when they want out and it goes into a deal making exercise for the club. Perhaps there should be a standing rule that if a player wants out ahead of contract end (especially to chase $$$) they are deregistered for the following season and they sit it out for 12 months. That might stop them thinking about wanting out and just suck it up until contract end.

 

[tigeress]

The problem with this whole saga, is the WestsTigers brand name takes a hit and it would appear they are the innocent party. Things like recruitment and attracting cooperate partners becomes that little bit harder.

We walked away from the Cleary thing as winners I am not so sure we can do it two years in a row.

Yep looks bad doesn't it....I wish all this negative stuff would go away...."it's doing my head in !":white_frowning_face:

 

[Curly_Tiger]

Why would the club feel the need to announce that he’s been given the rest of 2019 off. Why would they not keep in house? Very strange.

I can only think that the Club is trying to make it very visible that they have done the right thing all the way through whatever is going on in the hope it well help them in any eventual resolution

 

[tigeress]

@tony-soprano well with that the club has never had a wooden spoon and as frustrating as it is finishing 9th and in the middle of the pack consistently is not a bad thing in the context ... one more step is needed . We were also thinking of stopping our memberships but we have decided to give it another year .. but to be frank we are on the fence and the club needs to get its act together next year in many aspects not just on the field ! On Matterson he has now damaged himself to the general league public and the media are also dirty on him , the guy is another walking HIA waiting to happen , cut him loose and use the 400+ on someone that actually wants an opportunity.. this could well be a blessing in disguise!

I agree with a lot of what you have said here I too have been contemplating my 2020 membership, but I think I will give it another year (I always say that), I read in one article that Matterson put the feelers out in May gee he didn't give himself much of a chance to like the place did he-I want to know what the real problem is, however his performances didn't reflect his obvious negative feelings of being here - I am very disappointed with this guy:white_frowning_face:

 

[Rugba]

They have to bring back the old June deadline for players signing up with other clubs , it's been a real mess since they changed it to nov 1
Also if a player leave mid contract , whether player / club initiated BOTH the incoming and outgoing club need to be penalised 25% of the original contract value off the salary cap

Both clubs and players guilty of players leaving mid contract , players want bigger $ and leave , clubs sign players on long term big $ to either pinch players or not let other get a look in with said player maybe performing a year or two and then they want to punt them or "retire" them .

Say what you want about matto or even Moses , it's not much different to what clubs do when they want to move on players . Hard for the tigers as a club to cry foul when actively seeking to release, Matulino , packer and reynalds or even the broncos who are trying to offload half their squad

 

[cqtiger]

Can we legally play him in reserve grade or make him sit out for his contract? The players association is a lot more powerful now then when tallis played.
If he stays, he's in firsts.
Best case scenario is we get adequate compensation for him. If he doesn't want to play here then tell your story walking. Simple.

You’d better tell the Broncos that they have to play Darius in first grade in round one next year then.

 

[Telltails]

They have to bring back the old June deadline for players signing up with other clubs , it's been a real mess since they changed it to nov 1
Also if a player leave mid contract , whether player / club initiated BOTH the incoming and outgoing club need to be penalised 25% of the original contract value off the salary cap

Both clubs and players guilty of players leaving mid contract , players want bigger $ and leave , clubs sign players on long term big $ to either pinch players or not let other get a look in with said player maybe performing a year or two and then they want to punt them or "retire" them .

Say what you want about matto or even Moses , it's not much different to what clubs do when they want to move on players . Hard for the tigers as a club to cry foul when actively seeking to release, Matulino , packer and reynalds or even the broncos who are trying to offload half their squad

Yes it's the system that allows this to happen and we should not be making this about our club. Matterson has discovered he has options and he wouldn't be able to pursue them if the NRL didn't allow it. I think the reaction is so vast because too many fans had false perceptions of him like we tend to do with a lot of players.

 

[TheDaBoss]

the funny thing is, that all the rugby league journalists are playing chinese whispers with this atm... its changing constantly :joy:

 

[CarltonDry]

@StarswithStripes nice theory but it’s called restraint of trade and the player would be successful in court

 

[cqtiger]

I will be cancelling my membership rollover tomorrow. Want to see how this plays out


I’m doing the same. I sent an email to WestsTigers AFTER I rolled over my membership stating how disenfranchised I felt as a member. I listed many ways that I felt the club showed no respect for members. I also listed ways to turn members into advocates for the club. I received back an explanation that simply justified everything they did.
Now, yet again, we are in the middle of a crap fight. This garbage never happens at Melbourne or roosters.
I’ll always support the club and I’ll watch every game but I’m showing my disappointment by pulling my membership. Sad thing, the club couldn’t care less.

Doesn't rolling over the m'ship mean you are renewing?

If so, did you say in your email that you are opting out?


I initially opted in. I’ve since said not to renew my membership

Sad Steve, Think we four may end up doing the same.

I don't get you guys. Cleary backstabs Tigers and now Matto might be doing the same, and your response is to withdraw membership and penalise the club.

I don't know what you expect the club to do. Damned in all directions if your key signing suddenly wants more money and kicks stones to get his way.

"This never happens at the Storm or Roosters". Well, firstly, go support those damned clubs if that is the benchmark. Secondly, no, teams currently in the top 1 or 2 clubs tend to not have too many upset players.

But actually contract nonsense happens at every club, that's unfortunately part of the deal with sports. Folau backstabbed Melbourne to sign a 4-year deal with Broncos after his debut season. Justin Hodges sought out a mid-year transfer to Broncos from the Roosters in 2004. Ryan Cross strung the Roosters along for a while then defected to rugby. Will Chambers defected to rugby after the 2009 GF. RTS turned down a Roosters deal to take on a lucrative one at Warriors. Rarely do players publicly weasel their way out of deals, but they "backstab" clubs all the time.

"I'll still support the club and watch every game", but, you know, I won't part with any money, to show Tigers how disappointed I am. That's such a disappointing outlook. I understand if money is a problem, but to quit on the Tigers when they need support the most. I mean, bandwagoning is easy, easy as pie to ride with the successful team. But the club needs strong supporters when times are tough.

Apparently we need tougher management and a tough coach, but supporters can just quit.


How dare you call me a quitter! I’ve supported this club for close to 50 years. Who are you to pass judgment?
I have communicated with this club many times in an intelligent, articulate and well thought manner trying to offer well thought through suggestions in how to be a better club. Not arrogantly, not rudely, not forcefully. But nothing changes.
We lurch from one disaster to the next. I’m sick of it. I’m sick of finishing ninth! So, as I cannot make a difference through critical dialogue I am left with only one option - show my frustration through walking and that’s what I’ve done.
You can continue with the moral high ground - you’re choice but I’m making a stand. I’m letting my club know I’ve had enough.
If you don’t like it - fair enough but don’t call me a quitter. I’ll still be there and I’ll probably go to every game as I have for flipping years - but I’m canceling my membership as I have no other way to get my point across.
You’d walk a long mile to find a bloke more attached to this club than me and I won’t walk away. But I’m not paying for membership when it’s not valued and the club continually disappoints.

But aren’t you quitting membership?
Get offended all you like about Jirskyr’s post but he’s right...you’re quitting.

 

[Tiger_Steve]

I will be cancelling my membership rollover tomorrow. Want to see how this plays out


I’m doing the same. I sent an email to WestsTigers AFTER I rolled over my membership stating how disenfranchised I felt as a member. I listed many ways that I felt the club showed no respect for members. I also listed ways to turn members into advocates for the club. I received back an explanation that simply justified everything they did.
Now, yet again, we are in the middle of a crap fight. This garbage never happens at Melbourne or roosters.
I’ll always support the club and I’ll watch every game but I’m showing my disappointment by pulling my membership. Sad thing, the club couldn’t care less.

Doesn't rolling over the m'ship mean you are renewing?

If so, did you say in your email that you are opting out?


I initially opted in. I’ve since said not to renew my membership

Sad Steve, Think we four may end up doing the same.

I don't get you guys. Cleary backstabs Tigers and now Matto might be doing the same, and your response is to withdraw membership and penalise the club.

I don't know what you expect the club to do. Damned in all directions if your key signing suddenly wants more money and kicks stones to get his way.

"This never happens at the Storm or Roosters". Well, firstly, go support those damned clubs if that is the benchmark. Secondly, no, teams currently in the top 1 or 2 clubs tend to not have too many upset players.

But actually contract nonsense happens at every club, that's unfortunately part of the deal with sports. Folau backstabbed Melbourne to sign a 4-year deal with Broncos after his debut season. Justin Hodges sought out a mid-year transfer to Broncos from the Roosters in 2004. Ryan Cross strung the Roosters along for a while then defected to rugby. Will Chambers defected to rugby after the 2009 GF. RTS turned down a Roosters deal to take on a lucrative one at Warriors. Rarely do players publicly weasel their way out of deals, but they "backstab" clubs all the time.

"I'll still support the club and watch every game", but, you know, I won't part with any money, to show Tigers how disappointed I am. That's such a disappointing outlook. I understand if money is a problem, but to quit on the Tigers when they need support the most. I mean, bandwagoning is easy, easy as pie to ride with the successful team. But the club needs strong supporters when times are tough.

Apparently we need tougher management and a tough coach, but supporters can just quit.


How dare you call me a quitter! I’ve supported this club for close to 50 years. Who are you to pass judgment?
I have communicated with this club many times in an intelligent, articulate and well thought manner trying to offer well thought through suggestions in how to be a better club. Not arrogantly, not rudely, not forcefully. But nothing changes.
We lurch from one disaster to the next. I’m sick of it. I’m sick of finishing ninth! So, as I cannot make a difference through critical dialogue I am left with only one option - show my frustration through walking and that’s what I’ve done.
You can continue with the moral high ground - you’re choice but I’m making a stand. I’m letting my club know I’ve had enough.
If you don’t like it - fair enough but don’t call me a quitter. I’ll still be there and I’ll probably go to every game as I have for flipping years - but I’m canceling my membership as I have no other way to get my point across.
You’d walk a long mile to find a bloke more attached to this club than me and I won’t walk away. But I’m not paying for membership when it’s not valued and the club continually disappoints.

But aren’t you quitting membership?
Get offended all you like about Jirskyr’s post but he’s right...you’re quitting.

No I’m canceling my membership to make a point.

 

[tigerbalm]

@Tiger_Steve

Not having a shot, just curious, but what could Wests do in this situation to keep you as a member?

If Pascoe rang you and said Steve, the kid wants more money, he hates how the coach pushes him. He just hates it here at the club. What do you want me to do?

Again, just curious.

 

[TheDaBoss]

ahhhh the joys of the off season


https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/teams/tigers/nrl-2019-wests-tigers-losing-patience-with-moping-ryan-matterson-prepared-to-tell-star-he-can-walk/news-story/12fd719952f84cdc9bdb448ca220b9ac

 

[Abraham]

Wests Tigers tire of Ryan Matterson — and rivals are circling
September 19, 2019

Wests Tigers are becoming increasingly frustrated with the behaviour of utility star Ryan Matterson, who was on Thursday granted leave from training for the rest of this season.

Club management won’t talk publicly but are sufficiently angry to tell Matterson — who they suggest is driven by money — he can walk away.

Well-informed sources believe Matterson wants a significant financial upgrade and is now “moping”, citing “personal reasons” for refusing to train.

Stream every match of the 2019 NRL Telstra Premiership Finals Series before the Grand Final Live & On-Demand on KAYO SPORTS. Get your 14 day free trial and start streaming instantly >
Ryan Matterson produced a great season for the Tigers.
Ryan Matterson produced a great season for the Tigers.

The Daily Telegraph understands Matterson hasn’t formally sought additional money but Wests Tigers understand at least one Sydney club has shown considerable interest in Matterson, despite him being under contract at Concord until the end of 2021.

Matterson, 24, is telling club officials he is fatigued and worn out but management remains sceptical.

Wests Tigers forward Ryan Matterson has requested a leave from training for remainder of 2019 season due to personal reasons. Club has granted request

Some Wests Tigers officials are confused over Matterson’s behaviour but believe the crux of the drama surrounds his contract.

Wests Tigers admire Matterson’s football ability and want him to fulfil his three-year deal but his management met club officials last week seeking permission to negotiate with rival clubs.
A number of clubs are keen on Ryan Matterson.
A number of clubs are keen on Ryan Matterson.

However the club, under strict head coach Michael Maguire, won’t tolerate a player who refuses to buy into the Tigers’ culture. If Matterson isn’t committed, say club officials, he can leave.

Wests Tigers issued a statement which read: “Wests Tigers forward Ryan Matterson has requested a leave from training for the remainder of the 2019 season due to personal reasons.

“Wests Tigers have granted this request. The club will be making no further comment at this time”.
Ryan Matterson has requested leave from training for the remainder of the 2019 season.
Ryan Matterson has requested leave from training for the remainder of the 2019 season.

The Daily Telegraph has been told Matterson’s contract is worth around $350,000 a year but he could attract offers of around $550,000 per season from rival clubs.

Matterson — part of an extended NSW State of Origin squad this year — hasn’t been sighted at training since Monday. There has been conjecture about the working relationship between Matterson and Maguire.

Parramatta, Canterbury and Newcastle have been linked to Matterson but none have made any formal approaches just yet. The Bulldogs have had what has been described as a “nibble” at Matterson.

LISTEN! Matty, Finchy and Kenty address “Pokies-gate” and the Broncos self-combustion, Joey Leilua’s fireworks mishap, and how Wayne Bennett and Des Hasler know exactly how to get the best out of their individuals. PLUS, the Roosters had a sleepover at the SCG?!

Tigers signed Matterson this year on an inflated contract from what he was earning at his previous club, Sydney Roosters.

Matterson’s manager, Gavin Orr, said earlier this week his client was sick and had not trained on doctor’s orders.

After missing the finals this season, Maguire ordered his players to continue training up until NRL grand final on October 6.

Wests Tigers are looking to free up some salary cap space to possibly upgrade Matterson and re-sign stalwarts Benji Marshall and Chris Lawrence, players who digest the club’s culture.