The Bears have opened negotiations with Matt Burton’s management in a bid to reunite the Canterbury star with former halves partner Toby Sexton in Perth.
The development comes as South Sydney offers Cody Walker a contract with an option for a second year which, if triggered, will make him the equal oldest NRL player ever.
Burton is contracted to Canterbury until the end of 2027, although the club have granted him permission to explore his options before he becomes a free agent on November 1. The Bulldogs would like to retain him as a centre, but the NSW Blues utility could earn more on the open market as a five-eighth.
The Bears are a club prepared to hand Burton the No.6 jersey, and a salary to commensurate with the position. Sources not authorised to speak publicly said Bears officials have held preliminary negotiations with Burton’s management about a shift west.
If the move was to transpire, it would reunite Burton with former halves partner Sexton, a combination that propelled the blue and whites towards finals football when they were together at the Bulldogs in 2024-2025.
The Bears are yet to land a superstar recruit, but are armed with a 20 per cent marquee salary cap allowance they have yet to activate for their first big name.
“Matt’s manager has requested permission to test the market,” Canterbury general manager Phil Gould tweeted last week.
“Bulldogs at all times retain last rights. It’s a good way for both Matt and the Bulldogs to gauge his true value. It will give both parties more information.”
Gould added: “Just for the record, so everyone is on the same page … We love Matt Burton … We want to keep him … Matt Burton loves the Bulldogs … He wants to stay … That’s not in question here at all … Matt’s management doesn’t want Matt underpaid …
“Bulldogs don’t want Matt overpaid … That’s both parties being responsible … Simple solution … Let the market tell us what the true value might be … Then we can have a more informed discussion … To this point, neither Matt’s management, nor the Bulldogs, have spoken about money … We want to do what’s right by both parties … I’ve known Matt since he first came to Panthers from Dubbo …”
Several other clubs are likely to sound out Burton about a potential move, either as a centre or pivot. In Parramatta’s case, they may be looking for both, given they are skinny in their outside backs and haven’t settled on a No.6 after Jarome Luai finishes his one-year stint.
Meanwhile, Walker is close to agreeing to terms on a contract extension with the Rabbitohs. This masthead revealed the parties had been negotiating a premiership bonus of $75,000 if the Rabbitohs win the grand final next year, to top up a salary worth about $400,000.
In a fresh twist, sources not authorised to speak publicly said the Rabbitohs were prepared to offer Walker an option for a second year, in the club’s favour, that could result in the veteran playing on in 2028.
Should that occur, Walker would equal Paul Gallen as the oldest NRL player ever, at the age of 38. If he remains injury free, it could result in Walker reaching the magical 300-game barrier, an incredible achievement given he didn’t debut until the age of 26.
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