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Matt Burton
Personal information
Born (2000-03-14) 14 March 2000 (age 24)
Dubbo, New South Wales, Australia
Height190 cm (6 ft 3 in)
Weight105 kg (16 st 7 lb)
Playing information
PositionFive-eighth, Centre, Halfback
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2019–21 Penrith Panthers 32 20 6 1 93
2022– Canterbury Bulldogs 70 19 185 6 450
Total 102 39 191 7 543
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2022 New South Wales 2 1 0 0 4
2022 Prime Minister's XIII 1 2 0 0 8
2022–24 Australia 5 1 0 0 4
Source: [1]
As of 15 September 2024

Matt "Burto" Burton (born 14 March 2000) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a five-eighth or halfback for the Canterbury Bulldogs in the National Rugby League (NRL).

Burton has represented Australia at international level and previously played for the Penrith Panthers with whom he won the 2021 NRL Grand Final as a centre, and has represented the NSW Blues in State of Origin. He is refereed as one of the greatest players in the modern era, known for his pure elegance on and off the ball.

Background

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Burton was born in Dubbo, New South Wales, Australia.

He played his junior rugby league for St Johns, Dubbo and Dubbo CYMS in the Group 11 Rugby League before being signed by the Penrith Panthers.[2]

Playing career

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2019

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Burton made his first grade debut for Penrith against Cronulla in round 21 of the 2019 NRL season which ended in a 26–20 victory for Penrith at Panthers Stadium.[3][4]

2020

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In round 3 of the 2020 NRL season, Burton missed five field goal attempts including one which struck the post as Penrith played out a 14-14 draw with the Newcastle Knights at an empty Campbelltown Sports Ground.[5]

In round 4 of the 2020 NRL season, Burton scored two tries as Penrith defeated the New Zealand Warriors 26-0 at Campbelltown Sports Ground.[6]

On 25 November 2020, Burton signed a three-year deal with Canterbury commencing in 2022.[7]

2021

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In round 11 of the 2021 NRL season, Burton scored a hat-trick in Penrith's 56-12 victory over South Sydney.[8]

Burton watching a game in 2021

In round 14, Burton scored two tries in a 19-18 loss against Cronulla.[9]

In round 16, he kicked a field goal with one minute remaining as Penrith defeated Parramatta 13-12 in front of an empty BlueBet Stadium.[10] In round 21, Burton scored two tries and kicked four goals in Penrith's 20-14 victory over the Sydney Roosters.[11]

On 27 September, Burton was named Dally M Centre of the year alongside Melbourne's Justin Olam.[12]

Burton played a total of 26 games for Penrith in the 2021 NRL season including the club's 2021 NRL Grand Final victory over South Sydney. Burton scored the opening try in the final as Penrith held on to win 14-12.[13]

2022

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In round 1 of the 2022 NRL season, Burton made his club debut for Canterbury in their 6-4 victory against North Queensland at the Queensland Country Bank Stadium.[14] In Round 8, Burton led Canterbury to a crucial 16-12 win over the Sydney Roosters with an excellent 40/20 which in the ensuing set led to a try for Jayden Okunbor in the corner. Burton also kicked two goals, converting one of Josh Addo-Carr's tries and Okunbor's.

In round 14 of the 2022 NRL season, Burton contributed to a 34-4 upset win over their arch-rivals Parramatta with three try assists - all from kicks, and kicking 5/6 Goals.[15]

On 19 June, Burton was selected by New South Wales for game two of the 2022 State of Origin series.[16] This proved an infamous statement by News Corp journalist Paul Crawley wrong, as he had stated on NRL 360 “So from a Canterbury recruitment perspective and Gus is talking about having all this money that is available in 2024, what rep player or future rep player with half a clue would want to go to the Bulldogs knowing it could be the end of your representative career if you go there?”.[17]

Burton scored a try on debut for New South Wales in their 44-12 victory over Queensland.[18] In game 3 of the series, Burton was sent to the sin bin after trading punches with Queensland's Dane Gagai during New South Wales 22-12 loss.[19]

Burton warming up for the Bulldogs in 2022

In Round 19, Burton produced one of the best performances of his rugby league career against the Gold Coast Titans in Parramatta steering Canterbury to a 36-26 win. Burton scored a double and kicked 6 goals. He also had a try assist in the opening ten minutes for teammate Josh Addo-Carr. [20] In the following week against the Newcastle Knights, Burton chip kicked to winger Addo-Carr who passed back inside for Aaron Schoupp in what was considered one of the tries of the season in Canterbury's dominant 24-10 win.

The combination between Burton and Addo-Carr had strengthened significantly after a slow start to the season, with former Brisbane Broncos winger and media personality Denan Kemp on his YouTube podcast Bloke in a Bar stating that the only similar comparison in recent rugby league memory was the connection between former Canterbury player Johnathan Thurston and North Queensland teammate Matt Bowen.[21] Pundits applauded how quickly they built their combination which became a fixture of the new-look Canterbury side under interim coach Mick Potter and essentially revolutionised the club through innovative attacking play, averaging 25.5 points a game. The media praised Burton for helping the Canterbury side re-establish the "entertainers" tag that the club famously developed in the 1980s. [22] Canterbury hoped that Burton would extend his contract beyond 2023 under general manager Phil Gould as they view him as the centre of building the future of the club around. [23]

In round 25, Burton kicked a field goal with one minute remaining to beat Manly 21-20.[24]

Burton was selected to play in the 2022 Prime Minister's XIII team to play against Papua New Guinea, alongside Canterbury teammates Josh Addo-Carr, Max King, and Jake Averillo. The Australian side won the game 64-10, with Burton scoring a try.[25]

Rugby League World Cup

Burton was selected in the 24-man squad for the Australian Kangaroos by Mal Meninga to travel to England to compete in the 2021 Rugby League World Cup. He was accompanied by Canterbury Bulldogs winger Josh Addo-Carr, both representing the Belmore-based club.

Burton made his international debut against Scotland Rugby League Team at Coventry Building Society Arena winning 84-0. [26] Burton scored a try on debut and executed a one-on-one steal. With the game well and truly iced, Addo-Carr and Burton pulled off a "party trick for the ages" with BBC Sport labelling them 'The Kangaroo Globetrotters'.[citation needed] 'But watch the play from Burton, just watch how he keeps the ball in play, Addo-Carr picks it up and it's a brilliant, brilliant finish,' Johnathan Davies added. 'Demonstrated his pace, but he wouldn't have had the opportunity unless for Burton.' 'What a play that is and then to finish it, a kick and a chase, that will be all over social media tomorrow'. The play is considered one of the best tries in Kangaroos history according to Mal Meninga.[27] The Kangaroos went on to win the final against Samoa 30-10 at Old Trafford, with Burton not selected for play.[28][29]

2023

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On 28 January, the Canterbury club announced that Burton and Reed Mahoney would be the gameday on-field captains. [30] Burton said "“I never thought I would have got the opportunity to Captain the side and it's obviously a really big honour. I am really looking forward to it and it's great that I'll have Reed there beside me. It's new to both of us so it's going to be a big challenge, but we're both really looking forward to leading the side".[31] In round 5 of the 2023 NRL season, Burton kicked a field goal in golden point extra-time as Canterbury defeated North Queensland 15-14.[32] Burton played a total of 23 games for the club throughout the season as Canterbury finished 15th on table.[33]

2024

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In round 5 of the 2024 NRL season, Burton scored a hat-trick and kicked five goals in Canterbury's 30-26 upset victory over the Sydney Roosters.[34] In round 12, Burton scored two tries for Canterbury and kicked six goals in their 44-12 win over St. George Illawarra.[35] In round 17 and 18, Burton kicked back to back golden point extra-time field goals for Canterbury which earned them victories over Cronulla and the New Zealand Warriors.[36] Burton played a total of 23 games for Canterbury in the 2024 NRL season as the club qualified for finals finishing 6th which was the first time Canterbury had managed to do this in eight seasons. Burton played in the clubs elimination finals loss against Manly.[37]

References

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  1. ^ Rugby League Project
  2. ^ "From Jersey Flegg to the NRL for Penrith's man of mystery". SMH Sport. 7 August 2019. Retrieved 7 August 2019.
  3. ^ "NRL Round 21 team announcements". NRL.com. Retrieved 6 August 2019.
  4. ^ "Penrith rookies hold out Cronulla in NRL". 7 News. 9 August 2019.
  5. ^ "Penrith v Newcastle Matt Burton missed five field goals". www.foxsports.com.au. 31 May 2020.
  6. ^ "Matt Burton Penrith Panthers v Warriors". www.foxsports.com.au. 5 June 2020.
  7. ^ "Burton to join Dogs in 2022 but no early release from Panthers". www.nrl.com. 24 November 2020.
  8. ^ "Souths duo fall flat in Blues battle as 'untouchable' Panther carves up on home soil: 3 Big Hits". www.foxsports.com.au. 23 May 2021.
  9. ^ "Cronulla Sharks pip Penrith Panthers 19-18, Manly Sea Eagles thrash North Queensland Cowboys 50-18". ABC News. 11 June 2021.
  10. ^ "Matt Burton field goal enough for Panthers win as Mitchell Moses butchers final-minute victory shot". wwos.nine.com.au.
  11. ^ "Panthers star's 'Fittler-esque' masterclass, Blueprint to beat Roosters revealed: 3 Big Hits". www.foxsports.com.au. 7 August 2021.
  12. ^ McMurtry, Andrew (27 September 2021). "2021 NRL Dally M Awards Live: Tom Trbojevic crowned NRL's best". News.com.au.
  13. ^ "One of finest NRL grand finals of all time provides cure to difficult season". www.theguardian.com. 3 October 2021.
  14. ^ "Canterbury Bulldogs edge North Queensland Cowboys in Townsville, Parramatta Eels beat Gold Coast Titans". www.msn.com.
  15. ^ "'Disgraceful': Mitchell Moses' unforgivable blunder in loss to Canterbury Bulldogs". www.news.com.au.
  16. ^ "13-game veteran recalled, Eels pair pay the price: Blues Origin II Winners and Losers". www.foxsports.com.au. 20 June 2022.
  17. ^ "Why no 'rep player with half a clue' would sign with Dogs as Origin snubs trigger star warning". Fox Sports. 31 May 2022. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  18. ^ "Cleary's stunning response as recalled star, debutant shine: NSW Player Ratings". www.foxsports.com.au. 26 June 2022.
  19. ^ "'Tad ridiculous': Fittler questions Burton binning". www.nrl.com. 13 July 2022.
  20. ^ "Foxx a real life 'superman' in Dogs win as Holbrook's spine gamble backfires: Big Hits". 24 July 2022.
  21. ^ "Bloke in a Bar - Round 20 Review w/ RL Guru & SC Playbook". YouTube.
  22. ^ "The great Entertainers are back".
  23. ^ "Buzz's $1M Burton call as sticking point in Bulldogs deal revealed". 27 June 2022.
  24. ^ "Bulldogs finally show 'guts' as TPJ sparks revival; Foran's farewell spoiled by late FG: 3 Big Hits". www.foxsports.com.au. 2 September 2022.
  25. ^ "AUS PM XIII v Papua New Guinea". National Rugby League. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  26. ^ "Australia rip through Scotland in 84-0 Rugby League World Cup thrashing". the Guardian. 21 October 2022. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
  27. ^ Walsh, Dan (22 October 2022). "'I'm a freaky man': Inside one of the most audacious tries in Kangaroos history". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  28. ^ "Australia v Samoa". National Rugby League. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  29. ^ "'On the cusp': Meninga names Kangaroos side to face red-hot Samoa in WC final". Fox Sports. 17 November 2022. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  30. ^ "Ciraldo Announces New Captains". 28 January 2023.
  31. ^ "Ciraldo Announces New Captains". 28 January 2023.
  32. ^ "Canterbury's Matt Burton has everything an NRL team would want in their star but he can still have so much more". ABC News. 2 April 2023.
  33. ^ "NRL 2023: Canterbury Bulldogs season review". www.sportingnews.com.
  34. ^ "'Scare of their life': Dogs survive shock implosion vs 11 Roosters in absurd NRL thriller". www.foxsports.com.au.
  35. ^ "Canterbury Bulldogs thump St George Illawarra Dragons 44-12 to kick off NRL Indigenous Round". www.abc.net.au.
  36. ^ "'Incredible scenes' as Matt Burton slots golden point field goal for the second week in a row". www.nine.com.au.
  37. ^ "Bulldogs left 'frustrated' by semi final defeat as new standards laid bare". www.nine.com.au.
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