When it comes to years of toiling away at your trade looking for an opportunity, then Dean Matterson has done that and more.
The 25-year-old has spent the past five seasons working on his craft in the NSW Cup at three clubs – Wyong Roos, Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles, and Mounties.
And now, 76 games and 14 tries later, Matterson is about to live that childhood dream every rugby league player craves for – the chance to play in the NRL.
For Matterson, the years of hard work, self-belief, and defying setbacks to chase that ‘opportunity’ finally arrives at 4 Pines Park this Saturday night with the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles.
With Ben Trbojevic out (hamstring), Matterson has been named on the interchange bench for his NRL debut to cover back-row and centre in the crucial round 20 match against the Nth Qld Cowboys..
Covering either of positions won’t be a problem for 'Matto', a player with tremendous utility value who has played centre, five-eighth, lock, and second-row this season.
Furthermore, his superb form has been one of the main reasons why Blacktown Workers are now within finals reach in the NSW Cup.
From his 15 games this year, Matterson has scored three tries, made five-line breaks, 10 line break assists, and is averaging 149 run metres. He is also a very solid defender and possesses a strong kicking game.
Matterson is the younger brother of Parramatta Eels player, Ryan Matterson.
