Bulldogs star Matt Burton ‘open to’ bombshell switch to the NFL – as manager confirms approaches from combine scouts in the US
- NRL star Matt Burton could one day play in the NFL
- Combine scouts previously approached Burton’s agent
- The towering left boot makes Burton, 23, an obvious target
NRL star Matt Burton has no immediate plans to join the NFL but the Bulldogs centerpiece is ‘open to’ a move to the US ‘down the road’.
The development comes after Burton’s agent Dave Riolo revealed on a podcast in 2022 that scouts had been in contact for the five-eighth to join the combination as a punter.
Burton, 23, is tied up at Belmore until the end of the 2027 season and is the player the club will hope to build around as they look to end their finals drought.
But Burton has not ruled out a possible move to the NFL when his NRL career ends, with his blossoming left boot attracting the attention of talent scouts impressed by his hangtime and ability to get the Steeden out of trouble.
Australian bettors have done well in the NFL, with Mitch Wishnowsky set to play for San Francisco in the NFC Conference Championship for a spot in the Super Bowl.
Matt Burton’s left-foot kicks have become a key weapon for the Bulldogs. Photo: NRL Photos
The development comes after Burton’s agent Dave Riolo revealed in 2022 that scouts had been in contact for the five-eighths to join the combination as a punter (pictured, with partner Zoe Warwick)
“Maybe later on the track,” Burton told the station Let’s trot podcast. ‘You never know. “It would be a crazy job to go there, kick some foot and get paid a motza.”
Burton has the potential to make it in the NFL, and his agent David Riolo revealed that scouts had noticed him.
Riolo told it earlier The bye round podcast with host James Graham, a move abroad for Burton is ‘not currently on our radar at this stage’ before confirming the approach of eager combined scouts looking for a point of difference.
“He could do it tomorrow like he kicks a ball,” Riolo said. ‘But he wants to play (NRL) footy… he’s only young too and has career goals.’
Burton honed his towering kicks as a youngster growing up in Dubbo in central west NSW before moving to Sydney and signing for the Panthers, where he won a premiership in 2021 before moving to Canterbury the following season.
Former Titans playmaker Toby Sexton wants to be Burton’s half-partner ahead of the first round against Parramatta on March 9. The pivot showed that Blake Taaffe and fellow off-season recruit Stephen Crichton have both made strong claims to play fullback in 2024.
“They both trained the house,” Burton said. “It comes down to ‘Ciro’ (coach Cameron Ciraldo) and who trains the best.
‘It is of course good to have a lot of depth this year.’