The career of former NSW forward Ryan Matterson could come to a premature end after the Parramatta back-rower was again struck down with suspected concussion symptoms.
Matterson has suffered a series of concussions throughout his NRL career and is seeking medical opinion after the latest episode. The development comes at a delicate time given the 31-year-old’s playing future was in limbo after falling out of favour at the Eels.
Parramatta Eels forward Ryan Matterson.Credit: Getty Images
The blue and golds have made no secret of their desire to get Matterson off their books, despite him being contracted until the end of this season.
The former Blues back-rower was last year given permission to explore his options but – save for an eight-game loan stint with Warrington at the end of 2025 – hasn’t been able to find a home.
Matterson has inadvertently been caught up in the negotiations between Melbourne and Parramatta over the future of Zac Lomax.
Parramatta began legal proceedings to prevent Lomax from joining the Storm, given his release from a four-year contract was contingent on the Eels providing written consent. The Blues winger was granted a release to join rebel rugby competition R360, but has been left in limbo after its inaugural season was put back until 2028.
The Eels and Zac Lomax are embroiled in a contractual impasse.Credit: Getty Images
In an attempt to break the impasse, Melbourne and Parramatta held discussions about the prospect of the Storm picking up the tab for the remainder of Matterson’s 2026 contract. Sources not authorised to speak publicly because the matter is before the courts told this masthead the parties discussed a potential way for the Storm to subsidise Matterson’s Eels contract – without actually taking him on as a player.
Melbourne feels there is a mechanism under the NRL rules that will allow a salary cap contribution to be made to Matterson, which would free up funds for Parramatta and not cost the Storm a top-30 spot. While the salary cap auditor would be required to make a call on whether such a transaction complies with the regulations, it’s a moot point because the parties can’t agree on how much the Storm should chip in.
Melbourne offered to pay $211,000 towards Matterson’s contract on the cap – as well as $89,000 in cash. Parramatta wanted the Storm to pay about twice that amount to cover what Matterson is owed on the remainder of his 2026 contract. A meeting between the respective club chairs couldn’t break the stalemate, with the matter scheduled to be decided in court.
That resolution won’t come before the Storm hosts Parramatta in the opening round of the season, leaving Lomax in limbo. Melbourne’s pursuit of Lomax is expected to ramp up after Maroons and Kangaroos winger Xavier Coates suffered an Achilles injury that is expected to sideline him until round 10. The Storm’s outside back stocks were already stretched after Ryan Papenhuyzen left the club at the end of the season.
While the Lomax saga remains the biggest story of the NRL off-season, adding spice to the opening-round clash between the Eels and Storm, Matterson is at a crossroads. Concussions have been an issue during his decade-long career, stemming back to his time at the Roosters.
After suffering three head knocks in as many weeks while at the Tricolours in 2018, Matterson said he struggled to leave the house.
“I couldn’t leave to go anywhere,” Matterson told NRL.com at the time.
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