Although he has been linked with an exit from the Canterbury Bulldogs for some time, reports have emerged that Matt Burton may remain at the club longer than most people expected him to.
Despite being contracted at the Bulldogs until the end of 2027, that hasn’t stopped Burton’s name from being the subject of various rumours over the past 12 months.
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Since Lachlan Galvin arrived in Belmore in the middle of 2025 from the Wests Tigers, the former Panther has found himself linked to the Gold Coast Titans, North Queensland Cowboys and Perth Bears in the past.
This was due to many believing that the two couldn’t coexist in the halves because both were predominantly five-eighths.
However, The Sydney Morning Herald reports that Burton has opened up negotiations with the Bulldogs with his manager (David Riolo of Titan Sports Management) meeting with the club’s GM of Football Phil Gould in Wollongong on Easter Monday.
It is understood that Burton wants to secure a new extension with the Bulldogs, the club have no appetite to let him leave and is keen to keep him on their books for the long term.
But the Perth Bears remain lurking in the background.
Matt Burton has also been linked to the NFL.Source: The Daily Telegraph
“The Bears came to see me months ago,” Gould said in February when asked on X if Burton was considering a move and had met with the NRL’s newest expansion side.
This came after he previously stated that previous links between Burton and the Bears were completely fabricated – the original story stated that the Bears were interested in signing the Bulldogs and his brother-in-law, Ashton Wawrick, in a package deal.
“I have absolutely no idea where that story came from, so much so that I fronted the journalist that originally wrote the story and he admitted that he speculated and made it up,” Gould said on 100% Footy in September.
“That’s the stuff that we have to deal with every day and we have to mop up that sort of stuff and thankfully we’ve got a great relationship with Matt.”
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ROOSTERS LINKED TO ORIGIN GUN
The Sydney Roosters have found themselves linked to a six-time Queensland Maroons and two-time Australian Kangaroos winger as they prepare for the future.
While they have already signed Reuben Garrick for 2027 who will make the move from the Sea Eagles, veteran Daniel Tupou could potentially follow Wallabies convert Mark Nawaqanitawase out the door as he contemplates his long-term future.
This has seen the Tri-Colours offered North Queensland Cowboys winger Murray Taulagi who remains off-contract at the end of the season and has yet to secure a deal for 2027, per Code Sports.
Although he has been offered to the Bondi-based club, it is unknown if the Roosters will enter negotiations with him due to his hefty price tag and having other options, such as Tommy Talau, also on their books.
Could Taulagi make the move to Bondi?Source: The Courier Mail
Meanwhile, Roosters veteran Daniel Tupou has provided the latest on his contract situation as he prepares to make a call on his future in the NRL over the next two weeks.
“To be honest, sometime this week coming or the next couple of weeks. It hasn’t been sorted out yet. I don’t know what my options are,” he told News Corp.
“I have to catch up with my manager and go from there. I’m just trying to stay healthy and be fit to play on the weekends.”
Stating that he won’t play for another NRL team other than the Roosters, he revealed that he is not against a move to the overseas Super League competition.
“Yeah I would if it arises, it would be a good opportunity,” he added.
Daniel Tupou has yet to decide on his future.Source: Getty Images
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JURBO’S MANLY AGREEMENT
Jake Trbojevic has enjoyed a resurgence under interim coach Kieran Foran, and he has a looming decision regarding his future.
Reports suggested veteran middle has up until Round 10 to take up an option in his contract for the 2027 season.
According to the SMH, Trbojevic has no such clause and it’s instead a gentleman’s agreement with club powerbrokers.
As it stands, Trbojevic is heavily considering prolonging his stay at Manly for another year — even if the club don’t hire Foran as full-time head coach.
“‘Foz’ was such a great competitor and leader as a player, he was such a passionate person, and all of those qualities have rubbed off on the playing group,” Trbojevic said.
“Winning definitely helps everything. Hopefully we can keep building on the last couple of games.
“I love Manly, I want to play for Manly and whoever the coach is [moving forward] won’t worry me too much.
“I just want to make sure I can keep offering my best self – I want to keep playing to the level that is acceptable.
“That’s what I’ll base my decision on. There’s no real deadline. There’s a certain respect from both sides.”
NO NEWS.COM NO NEWS WIRE NO AUSTRALIAN DAILY TELEGRAPH – 26/3/26 MUST CHECK WITH PIC DESK BEFORE USING Jake Trbojevic during the round 4 NRL match between the Sea Eagles and Rooster at Brookvale Oval. Picture: Jonathan NgSource: News Corp Australia
COWBOYS CONFIRM TALKS WITH YOUNG GUN
The North Queensland Cowboys have confirmed that they have begun contract negotiations to extend the contract of one of their brightest young players, Tom Chester.
One of 14 players who are off-contract at the end of the 2026 season, Chester has been in magnificent form during this year’s campaign after being ruled out of the entirety of last season due to an ACL injury.
Limited to 11 matches across three seasons between 2023 and 2025, the 24-year-old can play a variety of positions but has slotted in perfectly into the centres this year.
“We have kicked off negotiations with (manager) Tas Bartlett who looks after Tom,” Cowboys CEO Michael Luck told AAP.
“He is a Townsville kid and a great young man from a really good and well known family up here.
“Tom plays the way he is brought up. He is a hard worker and diligent with everything he does and is all effort.
“That is how he got his spot in first grade and there is finesse about the way he plays his footy as well.”
The confirmation from Luck comes after the club extended local product Jaxon Purdue on a four-year contract worth around $3 million, keeping him away from multiple teams, including the Storm.
Tom Chester in action.Source: Getty Images
CONTRACT WORTH REVEALED OF DRAGONS RECRUIT
The St George Illawarra Dragons may be putting a halt to contract negotiations with all their off-contract players, but that hasn’t stopped them from making a new signing for the 2027 season.
After it was reported a fortnight ago that Phillip Sami had agreed to sign with the Dragons on a three-year contract, AAP has now revealed that the multi-year deal is worth $1.25 million.
This will see him around $400,000 per season.
It is understood that the Gold Coast Titans were keen to keep him at the club but were unable to offer him anywhere near the deal that was tabled by the joint venture.
“As I said to Phil and Hoges when I first got to the club, I have a really open mind about Phil,” Hannay told the publication.
“I am really happy with how he is playing, and he has been one of our most consistent performers over the opening six rounds.
“What we couldn’t offer Phil right now, which the Dragons could, was certainty.
“He has got a young family and in this game stability and security is a rare thing, so when it comes along you can’t fault him for jumping at that.”
Sami is a former Origin representative.Source: News Corp Australia
YOUNG BRONCO SET FOR NEW DEAL
The manager of young Brisbane Broncos halfback Thomas Duffy has confirmed that he has begun talks with the club over a contract upgrade and extension.
Formerly with the North Queensland Cowboys, Duffy made his club debut last round for the Broncos and showed plenty of confidence and potential, illustrating that he is set for a long career in the NRL.
Originally joining the club on a one-year contract, that is now set to be extended as the club prepares for life without Adam Reynolds.
While Jonah Pezet will make the switch to Red Hill in 2027 with the view of being the side’s long-term halfback, Duffy is another option and will continue to place pressure on him as he attempts to become the primary option.
“We are in discussions now about an upgraded and extended contract for him,” Duffy’s manager, Sam Ayoub, told Code Sports.
“Tom deserves it. We’re working through it.
“Tommy is a great kid. He is absolutely an NRL quality playmaker. He doesn’t whinge or complain and he works hard. He has a level of class about him and that’s what the Broncos have seen in him.
“Tom would love to stay. He is very settled and happy at Brisbane and I’m sure opportunity will come his way next year with Adam Reynolds retiring.
“There’s no rush but the Broncos like Tom and Tom is happy there so I’d like think we will get a deal done.”
In his first match for the Broncos, he provided three line-break assists and two try assists, kicked for 638 metres and controlled the attack with Ezra Mam.
Could Thomas Duffy be the long-term halfback of the Broncos?Source: Getty Images