Ryan Matterson is set to return to Parramatta next season after a proposed move to the Gold Coast Titans reportedly collapsed due to salary cap constraints.
The 31-year-old, who was released to Warrington midway through 2025, had been exploring a switch back to the NRL but now looks likely to see out the final year of his deal with the Eels.
Sport Confidential revealed that Matterson was “shopped to the Titans for 2026,” but the Gold Coast outfit had “no room under the salary cap” to accommodate the veteran forward. The failed transfer marks another twist in a turbulent year for the former NSW representative, whose short UK stint didn’t go to plan.
Short UK stint and uncertain NRL future
Matterson’s loan spell at Warrington saw him feature in just eight matches before deciding to return home.
According to Code Sports, the second-rower “failed to find his feet in the UK,” having already struggled to break into first grade at Parramatta earlier in the season, a run of form that saw him spend significant time in NSW Cup.
Despite the uncertainty, the 181-game forward remains contracted to the Eels through 2026, though his place in Jason Ryles’ plans remains unclear. With his move north now off the table, Matterson is expected to rejoin pre-season training with Parramatta as he looks to reignite his NRL career at the club where it began to stall.