Matt Burton
{{short description|Australia international rugby league footballer}}
{{for|the Australian Rules footballer|Matthew Burton (Australian footballer)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Use Australian English|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox rugby league biography
|name = Matt Burton
|fullname =
|image = Matt Burton.jpg
|image_size =
|position = {{rlp|FE|CE|HB}}
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|2000|03|14|df=yes}}
|birth_place = Dubbo, New South Wales, Australia
|height = {{convert|190|cm|ftin|abbr=on}}
|weight = {{convert|105|kg|stlb|abbr=on}}
|club1 = Penrith Panthers
|year1start = 2019
|year1end = 21
|appearances1 = 32
|tries1 = 20
|goals1 = 6
|fieldgoals1 = 1
|points1 = 93
|club2 = Canterbury Bulldogs
|year2start = 2022
|year2end = present
|appearances2 = 79
|tries2 = 21
|goals2 = 197
|fieldgoals2 = 6
|points2 = 484
|teamA = {{nowrap|New South Wales}}
|yearAstart = 2022
|yearAend =
|appearancesA = 2
|triesA = 1
|goalsA = 0
|18th manA = 12
|pointsA = 4
|teamB = Prime Minister's XIII
|yearBstart = 2022
|yearBend =
|appearancesB = 1
|triesB = 2
|goalsB = 0
|fieldgoalsB = 0
|pointsB = 8
|teamC = Australia
|yearCstart = 2022
|yearCend = 24
|appearancesC = 5
|triesC = 1
|goalsC = 0
|fieldgoalsC = 0
|pointsC = 4
|new = yes
|source = [https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/matt-burton/summary.html Rugby League Project]
|updated = 26 June 2025
}}
Matt Burton (born 14 March 2000) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a {{rlp|fe}} for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in the National Rugby League.
Burton represents Australia at international level and previously played for the Penrith Panthers with whom he won the 2021 NRL Grand Final as a {{rlp|ce}}, and has represented the NSW Blues in State of Origin.
Background
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.{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/from-jersey-flegg-to-the-nrl-for-penrith-s-man-of-mystery-20190807-p52eut.html |title=From Jersey Flegg to the NRL for Penrith's man of mystery |date=7 August 2019 |publisher=SMH Sport |accessdate=7 August 2019}}
Playing career
=2019=
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.{{cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/08/06/round-21-nrl-team-announcements/ |title=NRL Round 21 team announcements |publisher=NRL.com |accessdate=6 August 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://7news.com.au/sport/rugby-league/penrith-rookies-hold-out-cronulla-in-nrl-c-392122/|title=Penrith rookies hold out Cronulla in NRL|website=7 News|date=9 August 2019}}
=2020=
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.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-2020-round-3-results-panthers-v-knights-matt-burton-missed-field-goals-golden-point-ivan-cleary/news-story/1cca3d43826ccbd895cd58e36d29dbca/|title=Penrith v Newcastle Matt Burton missed five field goals|website=www.foxsports.com.au|date=31 May 2020}}
On 25 November 2020, Burton signed a three-year deal with Canterbury commencing in 2022.{{cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/11/25/young-star-burton-off-to-bulldogs-from-2022/|title=Burton to join Dogs in 2022 but no early release from Panthers|website=www.nrl.com|date=24 November 2020}}
=2021=
In round 11 of the 2021 NRL season, Burton scored a hat-trick in Penrith's 56-12 victory over South Sydney.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2021-south-sydney-rabbitohs-vs-penrith-panthers-live-stream-live-blog-how-to-watch-latrell-mitchell-nathan-cleary-supercoach-scores/news-story/50b9cd1cff51833dc288561d1bf2fd86/|title=Souths duo fall flat in Blues battle as 'untouchable' Panther carves up on home soil: 3 Big Hits|website=www.foxsports.com.au|date=23 May 2021}}
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.{{cite web|url=https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/live-scores-2021-warriors-dragons-panthers-eels-start-time-results-news-round-16/dea6b469-0fde-4b05-b950-54e0f629e1b1/|title=Matt Burton field goal enough for Panthers win as Mitchell Moses butchers final-minute victory shot|website=wwos.nine.com.au|date=2 July 2021 }}
On 27 September, Burton was named Dally M Centre of the year alongside Melbourne's Justin Olam.{{cite news|url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/dally-m/2021-nrl-dally-m-awards-live-all-the-winners/news-story/573252f61aca7cfe4d8370d0847c4e28/|title=2021 NRL Dally M Awards Live: Tom Trbojevic crowned NRL's best|newspaper=News.com.au|date=27 September 2021|last1=McMurtry|first1=Andrew}}
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.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/oct/04/one-of-finest-nrl-grand-finals-of-all-time-provides-cure-to-difficult-season/|title=One of finest NRL grand finals of all time provides cure to difficult season|website=www.theguardian.com|date=3 October 2021}}
=2022=
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.{{cite web|url=https://www.msn.com/en-au/sport/other/nrl-scorecentre-parramatta-eels-vs-gold-coast-titans-north-queensland-cowboys-vs-canterbury-bulldogs-live-scores-stats-and-results/ar-AAUZI2h?ocid=BingNewsSearch/|title=Canterbury Bulldogs edge North Queensland Cowboys in Townsville, Parramatta Eels beat Gold Coast Titans|website=www.msn.com}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/disgraceful-mitchell-moses-unforgivable-blunder-in-loss-to-canterbury-bulldogs/news-story/c65ad9409030fcbd9acb1147b9e7e88c/|title='Disgraceful': Mitchell Moses' unforgivable blunder in loss to Canterbury Bulldogs|website=www.news.com.au}}
On 19 June, Burton was selected by New South Wales for game two of the 2022 State of Origin series.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/state-of-origin-2022-winners-and-losers-matt-burton-siosifa-talakai-jake-trbojevic-angus-crichton-kotoni-staggs/news-story/a6f75b00a20512f7b46a2c113ebbd737/|title=13-game veteran recalled, Eels pair pay the price: Blues Origin II Winners and Losers|website=www.foxsports.com.au|date=20 June 2022 }} 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?”.{{Cite web |date=2022-05-31 |title=Why no 'rep player with half a clue' would sign with Dogs as Origin snubs trigger star warning |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2022-canterbury-bulldogs-next-coach-phil-gould-brad-fittler-recruiting-nrl-360-who-will-be-the-next-coach/news-story/317e4d3b5a532d5b7df4a97f3a6210f7 |access-date=2022-11-20 |website=Fox Sports |language=en}}
Burton scored a try on debut for New South Wales in their 44-12 victory over Queensland.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/state-of-origin/nrl-2022-state-of-origin-nsw-player-ratings-nathan-cleary-jarome-luai-matt-burton-james-tedesco/news-story/2835e1118ccf1bc20d1dc24149f7a701/|title=Cleary's stunning response as recalled star, debutant shine: NSW Player Ratings|website=www.foxsports.com.au|date=26 June 2022 }} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2022/07/14/tad-ridiculous-fittler-questions-burton-binning/|title='Tad ridiculous': Fittler questions Burton binning|website=www.nrl.com|date=13 July 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. {{cite web | url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2022-canterbury-bulldogs-v-gold-coast-titans-live-blog-updates-score-teams-justin-holbrook-matt-burton-aaron-schoupp-tino-faasuamaleaui/news-story/34d2f72cb2cbf59acbfe2e248daabc7a | title=Foxx a real life 'superman' in Dogs win as Holbrook's spine gamble backfires: Big Hits | date=24 July 2022 }} 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.{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEUMREvj8F0 | title=Bloke in a Bar - Round 20 Review w/ RL Guru & SC Playbook | website=YouTube | date=August 2022 }} 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. {{cite web | url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2022/06/14/the-great-entertainers-are-back/ | title=The great Entertainers are back | date=13 June 2022 }} 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. {{cite web | url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2022-matt-burton-1-million-contract-canterbury-bulldogs-nsw-blues-open-market-teams-clubs/news-story/5dd7759e1ec1972e23ca4a066440b8d5 | title=Buzz's $1M Burton call as sticking point in Bulldogs deal revealed | date=27 June 2022 }}
In round 25, Burton kicked a field goal with one minute remaining to beat Manly 21-20.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2022-bulldogs-vs-manly-sea-eagles-live-updates-live-stream-teams-start-time-supercoach-scores-video/news-story/0ae36ca01dea2c078c61da58eecbc829/|title=Bulldogs finally show 'guts' as TPJ sparks revival; Foran's farewell spoiled by late FG: 3 Big Hits|website=www.foxsports.com.au|date=2 September 2022 }}
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.{{Cite web |title=AUS PM XIII v Papua New Guinea |url=https://www.nrl.com/draw/internationals/2022/round-2/aus-pm-xiii-v-papua-new-guinea/ |access-date=2022-11-20 |website=National Rugby League |language=en}}
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. {{Cite web |date=2022-10-21 |title=Australia rip through Scotland in 84-0 Rugby League World Cup thrashing |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/oct/22/australia-rip-through-scotland-in-84-0-rugby-league-world-cup-thrashing |access-date=2022-10-22 |website=the Guardian |language=en}} 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'.{{cn|date=October 2022}} '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.{{Cite web |last=Walsh |first=Dan |date=2022-10-22 |title='I'm a freaky man': Inside one of the most audacious tries in Kangaroos history |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/i-m-a-freaky-man-inside-one-of-the-most-audacious-tries-in-kangaroos-history-20221022-p5bryj.html |access-date=2022-11-20 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}} The Kangaroos went on to win the final against Samoa 30-10 at Old Trafford, with Burton not selected for play.{{Cite web |title=Australia v Samoa |url=https://www.nrl.com/draw/rugby-league-world-cup/2022/final/game-1/ |access-date=2022-11-20 |website=National Rugby League |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2022-11-17 |title='On the cusp': Meninga names Kangaroos side to face red-hot Samoa in WC final |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/rugby-league-world-cup-2021-australia-kangaroos-team-for-final-vs-samoa-selection-news-mal-meninga-nathan-cleary-james-tedesco-when-is-the-game/news-story/70caf4bc58aff705eec334463d98365c |access-date=2022-11-20 |website=Fox Sports |language=en}}
=2023=
On 28 January, the Canterbury club announced that Burton and Reed Mahoney would be the gameday on-field captains. {{cite web | url=https://www.bulldogs.com.au/news/2023/01/28/ciraldo-announces-new-captains/ | title=Ciraldo Announces New Captains | date=28 January 2023 }} 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".{{cite web | url=https://www.bulldogs.com.au/news/2023/01/28/ciraldo-announces-new-captains/ | title=Ciraldo Announces New Captains | date=28 January 2023 }}
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.{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-04-03/matt-burton-field-goal-golden-point-canterbury-bulldogs/102177894/|title=Canterbury's Matt Burton has everything an NRL team would want in their star but he can still have so much more|newspaper=ABC News|date=2 April 2023 }}
Burton played a total of 23 games for the club throughout the season as Canterbury finished 15th on table.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/rugby-league/news/nrl-2023-canterbury-bulldogs-season-review/ubsemk2vg6ihykdbrn33revb#:~:text=Did%20the%20Bulldogs%20over%2Ddeliver,their%20roster%20and%20coaching%20staff./|title=NRL 2023: Canterbury Bulldogs season review|website=www.sportingnews.com|date=4 September 2023 }}
=2024=
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.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-news-2024-canterbury-bulldogs-vs-sydney-roosters-live-updates-weather-start-time-supercoach-scores/news-story/602f53cb695edc4d542d7843edd50984/|title='Scare of their life': Dogs survive shock implosion vs 11 Roosters in absurd NRL thriller|website=www.foxsports.com.au|date=5 April 2024 }}
In round 12, Burton scored two tries for Canterbury and kicked six goals in their 44-12 win over St. George Illawarra.{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-05-23/nrl-live-updates-round-12-bulldogs-vs-dragons/103878456/|title=Canterbury Bulldogs thump St George Illawarra Dragons 44-12 to kick off NRL Indigenous Round|website=www.abc.net.au|date=23 May 2024 }}
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.{{cite web|url=https://www.nine.com.au/sport/nrl/news-2024-bulldogs-warriors-result-video-highlights-matt-burton-field-goal-charnze-nicoll-klokstad-injury-20240706-p5jrlf.html/|title='Incredible scenes' as Matt Burton slots golden point field goal for the second week in a row|website=www.nine.com.au|date=6 July 2024 }}
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.{{cite web|url=https://www.nine.com.au/sport/nrl/news-2024-the-mole-exclusive-canterbury-bulldogs-season-review-phil-gould-cameron-ciraldo-20240916-p5kb0n.html/|title=Bulldogs left 'frustrated' by semi final defeat as new standards laid bare|website=www.nine.com.au|date=16 September 2024 }}
=2025=
In round 2 of the 2025 NRL season, Burton suffered an MCL injury in Canterbury's 40-24 victory over the Gold Coast and was ruled out from playing for at least a month.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2025-canterbury-bulldogs-vs-gold-coast-titans-live-scores-teams-videos-blog-stream-round-2-stephen-crichton-keano-kini/news-story/941aacc4ec3404631c25f5396a4becef/|title=Bulldogs win over Titans soured after TWO stars go down with knee injuries — Big Hits|website=www.foxsports.com.au|date=16 March 2025 }}
Playing style
Burton is known for his bomb kicks, and in an interview with nswrl.com.au in 2022; Burton said" “During junior footy I used to put them up and test all the boys out and we used to have little competitions and stuff like that,”. In the same interview, Burton also revealed that he played soccer growing up.{{Cite web |date=2022-07-10 |title=How Burton perfected the floating bomb |url=https://www.nswrl.com.au/news/2022/07/11/how-nsw-blues-origin-matt-burton-perfected-the-floating-bomb/ |access-date=2025-03-23 |website=New South Wales Rugby League |language=en}} In 2023, Burton appeared in a YouTube video for Fox League in which he talks about how to kick the "Perfect Bomb"{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaJ_t0JA8oU |title=Matt Burton explains how to kick the perfect bomb {{!}} Insights |date=2023-04-27 |last=Fox League |access-date=2025-03-23 |via=YouTube}}
Statistics
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Year !Team !Games !Tries !Goals !FGs !Pts |
| 2019
| rowspan="3" |{{leagueicon|Penrith|16}} Penrith Panthers |1 | | | | |
| 2020
|5 |3 | | |12 |
| 2021
|26 |17 |6 |1 |81 |
| 2022
| rowspan="4" |{{leagueicon|Canterbury|16}} Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs |24 |6 |50 |1 |125 |
| 2023
|23 |4 |60 |2 |138 |
| 2024
|23 |9 |74 |3 |187 |
| 2025
|7 |1 |13 | |30 |
| |Totals
|109 |34 |203 |7 |573 |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- [https://www.bulldogs.com.au/teams/telstra-premiership/canterbury-bankstown-bulldogs/matt-burton/ Canterbury Bulldogs profile]
- [https://www.penrithpanthers.com.au/teams/telstra-premiership/penrith-panthers/matt-burton/ Penrith Panthers profile]
{{Bulldogs current}}
{{Penrith Panthers squad 2021 NRL premiership}}
{{Australia 2021 Rugby League World Cup squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Burton, Matt}}
Category:Australia national rugby league team players
Category:Australian rugby league players
Category:Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs players
Category:New South Wales Rugby League State of Origin players
Category:Penrith Panthers players
Category:Prime Minister's XIII players
Category:Rugby league five-eighths