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Ryan Matterson
Ryan Matterson
from Wikipedia

Ryan Matterson (born 13 October 1994) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a second-rower or lock forward for the Warrington Wolves in the Super League, on loan from the Parramatta Eels.

Key Information

He previously played for the Sydney Roosters, with whom he won the 2018 NRL Grand Final and the Wests Tigers in the NRL. Matterson has also played for the City Origin side and New South Wales. He has also played as a five-eighth, halfback, centre and hooker in his career.

Background

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Matterson was born in Greenacre, New South Wales, Australia, and was educated at St Pauls Catholic College, Greystanes, graduating in 2012.[2][3] He is the nephew of former Sydney Roosters and Brisbane Broncos player Terry Matterson.[4]

Matterson played his junior rugby league for the Wentworthville Magpies and Bankstown Bulls, before being signed by the Sydney Roosters.

Playing career

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Early career

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From 2012 to 2014, Matterson played for the Parramatta Eels' NYC team.[5] In 2014, he captained the side.[6]

Matterson playing for Parramatta in 2014

On 3 May 2014, he played for the New South Wales under-20s team against the Queensland under-20s team.[7] On 26 June 2014, he re-signed with the Eels on a 3-year contract.[8] On 18 October 2014, he played for the Junior Kangaroos against the Junior Kiwis.[9] In 2015, he graduated to Eels' New South Wales Cup team, Wentworthville Magpies.[10] In August 2015, he signed a two-year contract with the Sydney Roosters starting in 2016.[11]

2016

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In round 8 of the 2016 NRL season, Matterson made his NRL debut for the Roosters against the St. George Illawarra Dragons,[12][13] scoring a try.[14] On 8 May, he played for NSW City against NSW Country, after just two NRL appearances, playing at centre and taking an intercept to set up a try, before scoring one himself in the second half of City's 44-30 victory.[15]

2017

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Matterson made 23 appearances for the Sydney Roosters in 2017 as the club fell short of a grand final appearance losing to North Queensland in the preliminary final 29-16.[16][17]

2018

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In 2018, Matterson was part of the Roosters which won their 4th minor premiership in six years. On 30 September, Matterson played in Easts 21-6 victory over Melbourne in the 2018 NRL grand final. This would be the final appearance for Matterson as an Eastern Suburbs player as he had signed a three-year deal to join the Wests Tigers starting in 2019.[18][19]

2019

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Matterson made his debut for the Wests Tigers in round 1 of the 2019 NRL season against Manly-Warringah at Leichhardt Oval.[20]

Matterson scored his first try for the club in round 4 against Penrith which the Wests Tigers lost 9-8.[21][22]

Matterson made a total of 24 appearances for the club in the 2019 NRL season as they finished ninth and missed out on the finals. On September 19, Matterson was granted leave from training for the final part of the year for personal reasons.[23]

Having been granted a release from the Wests Tigers on October 31, Matterson then signed a three-year deal with the Parramatta Eels, his junior club, on November 7.[24]

2020

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On 3 February, Matterson spoke to the media for the first time since joining Parramatta and apologised publicly to supporters of the Wests Tigers club saying "To all the fans out there I'm sorry for how it happened, I do say sorry to them and I understand their frustrations but it was kind of out of my control, "I don't sign contracts to purposefully want to leave. Something did happen at the Tigers, and I'm sorry that happened so with the intention of signing with Parramatta, I do want to stay here permanently and long-term and really enjoy my football. I was frustrated when it was perceived [to be] about money. It wasn't. That just wasn't the case".[25]

Matterson made his debut for Parramatta in round 1 of the 2020 NRL season against arch rivals Canterbury-Bankstown. Parramatta would go on to win the match 8-2.[26]

In round 5, Matterson scored the winning try for Parramatta as the club defeated Penrith 16-10. The result saw Parramatta win their first five games of the year which was their best start to a season since 1986.[27]

In round 11, Matterson faced his former club Wests Tigers for the first time since departing them under bitter circumstances. Early in the first half, he was taken from the field with concussion after being knocked out attempting a tackle on Wests player Russell Packer. Matterson took no further part in the match as Parramatta won 26-16.[28]

At the end of the 2020 regular season, Parramatta finished in third place and qualified for the finals. Matterson played in both finals matches where the club lost to Melbourne and South Sydney.[29]

2021

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In round 2 against Melbourne, Matterson was taken from the field with concussion after being elbowed in the head by Melbourne player Felise Kaufusi. As a result, Matterson missed the following five matches.[30]

In round 22 against Manly, Matterson was sent off for high contact to the head of Brad Parker during Parramatta's 56-10 loss.[31] On 16 August, Matterson was suspended for three matches in relation to the tackle.[32] Matterson missed the first week of the finals due to his suspension but returned for Parramatta's semi-final against Penrith which Parramatta lost 8-6 ending their season.[33]

2022

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In round 9 of the 2022 NRL season, Matterson scored the winning try for Parramatta in their 22-20 victory over Penrith at Penrith Park. It was Penrith's first loss of the season and also the first time the club had lost at the ground since 2019.[34] On 29 May, Matterson was selected by New South Wales to play off the bench in game one of the 2022 State of Origin series.[35] On 18 June, it was announced that Matterson had signed a four-year contract extension to remain at Parramatta until the end of 2026. The following day, Matterson was left out of the New South Wales squad for game two against Queensland.[36] Matterson played 23 games for Parramatta in 2022 including their Grand Final loss Penrith at Stadium Australia.[37]

On 5 October, Matterson elected to serve a three-game suspension for a crusher tackle on Penrith player Dylan Edwards rather than pay a $4,000 fine. Matterson explained his reasons behind taking the ban saying “I just feel that $4,000 is pretty hefty considering I have already paid close to $4,000 in fines this year for things that are absurd,” Matterson said, At the end of the day I have personal things I need to worry about outside of rugby league. I just didn't think it was warranted. If you do something wrong at work. They don't take money off you. It's always hard. I love playing. It's something I spoke to the club about before I made the decision. Obviously it's a hard one, but I have personal reasons I need to take into consideration". Matterson then explained his frustration at Penrith's Jarome Luai avoiding sanctions after he kicked Parramatta player Isaiah Papali'i saying “Considering Jarome Luai is kicking players and he didn't get cited. It makes you think ‘Where is this game heading?".[38]

2023

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In round 4 of the 2023 NRL season, Matterson made his first start of the year in Parramatta's 17-16 golden point extra-time victory over Penrith. In round 12 against South Sydney, Matterson was taken from the field during the clubs upset victory with a calf injury and was ruled out for an indefinite period.[39] Matterson played a total of 18 matches for Parramatta in the 2023 NRL season as the club finished 10th and missed the finals.[40]

2024

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Matterson played a total of 16 games for Parramatta in the 2024 NRL season as the club finished 15th on the table. There were reports that Matterson had been told by Parramatta officials he could negotiate with other clubs ahead of the 2025 NRL season, however the club later backflipped on this stance.[41]

2025

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At the start of the 2025 NRL season, Matterson found himself exiled from the first team with the introduction of new head coach Jason Ryles. Matterson managed only four appearances from the interchange bench throughout the year and was placed in the clubs reserve grade team. On 22 July, the Parramatta club confirmed that Matterson was released from the club to take up an opportunity overseas with Warrington on a loan deal. In round 20 of the 2025 Super League season, Matterson made his club debut for Warrington in their 20-16 loss against Leigh. Matterson played eight matches for Warrington towards the back end of the 2025 Super League season as the club finished 8th on the table.[42]

Statistics

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Year Team Games Tries Pts
2016 Sydney Roosters 15 4 16
2017 23 1 4
2018 22 5 20
2019 Wests Tigers 24 5 20
2020 Parramatta Eels 19 3 12
2021 17 4 16
2022 23 4 16
2023 18
2024 16
2025 Parramatta Eels 4
Warrington Wolves (loan) 5
Totals 186 26 104

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Ryan Matterson is an Australian professional footballer who plays as a second-row forward for the in the (NRL). Born on 13 October 1994 in , he is the nephew of former player Terry Matterson and son of Paul Matterson. Matterson began his junior career with the Wentworthville and Bulls before representing the under-20s and Junior Kangaroos in 2014. He made his NRL debut for the on 25 April 2016 against the , going on to play 60 games for the club and scoring 10 tries, including a key role in their victory. After a stint with the in 2019, where he was named as an 18th man for in the and later debuted in 2022, Matterson returned to the Eels—his original junior club—in 2020 on a three-year contract. Standing at 194 cm and weighing 107 kg, Matterson has accumulated 181 NRL appearances and 26 tries across his career as of 2025, known for his strength, tackling prowess, and running metres. Beyond the field, he serves as a Voice Against Violence advocate since 2018, focusing on educating youth and the community about preventing violence toward women.

Early life

Family background

Ryan Matterson was born on 13 October 1994 in Greenacre, a in Sydney's western suburbs, , . Growing up in this stronghold, he was immersed in the local culture of the sport from a young age, with the game deeply embedded in community life and family traditions. Matterson hails from a family with strong ties to professional . He is the nephew of Terry Matterson, a former standout player who represented in the , appearing in Game 2 of the 1989 series, and enjoyed a distinguished club career with the Eastern Suburbs Roosters, —where he won premierships in 1992 and 1993—and later the London Broncos in England. He also has a younger brother, Dean Matterson, who followed in the family footsteps by playing , including time in lower-grade competitions and seven NRL appearances for the . Their father, Paul Matterson, likewise played first-grade , further cementing the sport's prominence within the household. This familial legacy provided Matterson with early and profound exposure to , as the family regularly watched NRL games together, fostering a passion for the sport amid the vibrant local scene in Sydney's west. The influence of his uncle's achievements and the household's shared enthusiasm laid a solid foundation for his own entry into organized junior competitions.

Junior career

Matterson began his rugby league journey in Sydney's west, playing his early junior football for the Wentworthville and Bankstown Bulls. Coming from a family with deep roots—his uncle Terry Matterson was a former representative player and two-time premiership winner with the —Matterson quickly showed promise in the sport. He progressed through the ' junior development pathway, competing in the SG Ball Cup for under-18s, where he featured prominently in team lineups during the early . His performances in the 2012 SG Ball season, including appearances in key matches, marked his first significant recognition at the under-18 level and highlighted his potential as a hard-running forward. These standout displays in youth competitions paved the way for further opportunities, culminating in Matterson signing a two-year development contract with the in August 2015, ahead of the 2016 season.

Professional career

Sydney Roosters

Ryan Matterson signed a two-year contract with the in August 2015, ahead of joining the club's NYC Under-20s side for the 2015 season. He made his NRL debut for the Roosters on Anzac Day, 25 April 2016, against the St George Illawarra Dragons at the Sydney Cricket Ground, coming off the bench in a 18-16 loss. In his debut season, Matterson featured in 15 games, scoring 4 tries, while adapting to the professional level after an injury-hit pre-season. His performances earned him selection for the NSW City Origin team later that year, where he played in the annual representative match against Country Origin. The 2017 season saw Matterson solidify his role in the Roosters' back row, appearing in 23 matches and scoring 1 try as the team reached the finals. He contributed in key playoff games, including the qualifying final victory over the and the preliminary final loss to the , marking the club's deepest finals run that year. In , Matterson played 22 games and crossed for 5 tries, helping the Roosters secure the minor premiership before their finals campaign. He came off the bench in the on 30 September against the at ANZ Stadium, entering in the 28th minute and contributing to the Roosters' 21-6 premiership-winning victory—his first and only title to date. During the season, Matterson was again selected for NSW City Origin. Over his three seasons with the Roosters from 2016 to 2018, Matterson accumulated 60 first-grade appearances and 10 tries, establishing himself as a versatile forward in Trent Robinson's system.

Wests Tigers

On 11 September 2018, Ryan Matterson signed a three-year contract with the , commencing in the . Matterson made his debut for the club in Round 1 of the , starting in the second row during a 20–6 victory over the at . Throughout the 2019 season, Matterson established himself as a key forward for the , playing 24 games primarily in the second row and scoring five tries. He averaged 49.9 post-contact metres per game, contributing to the team's consistent performances in the middle. Notable efforts included a try in Round 16 against his former club, the , where he powered through multiple defenders to score early in the match. Matterson started the majority of games amid the Tigers' campaign, which culminated in a ninth-place finish on the NRL with 11 wins from 24 matches. Despite his strong individual form, Matterson's contract was not extended beyond 2019. On 7 November 2019, he announced a return to the Parramatta Eels on a three-year deal starting in 2020, citing a desire for greater stability after his premiership-winning experience at the Roosters.

Parramatta Eels

Matterson returned to the Parramatta Eels, his junior club, ahead of the 2020 NRL season, signing a three-year contract worth approximately $2.4 million that ran through to the end of 2022. In June 2022, he secured a four-year extension, committing to the club until the end of the 2026 season and reportedly earning around $600,000 annually. This deal underscored his value as a versatile second-rower and lock, providing stability to the Eels' forward pack during a period of sustained finals contention. In his first season back, Matterson featured in 19 games and scored 3 tries, contributing to the Eels' fourth-place finish and their appearance in the qualifying finals, where they fell to the 20-14. His work rate in the middle, including strong tackling and offload involvement, helped solidify the Eels' defense as they aimed to end a long premiership drought under coach . The 2021 campaign saw Matterson play 17 matches, crossing for 4 tries, though injuries and a suspension limited his consistency; he was considered for selection but remained on the extended Blues squad without a debut. Despite the Eels missing , Matterson's experience proved vital in mentoring younger forwards and maintaining team structure. Matterson's form peaked in 2022, where he appeared in 23 games and scored 4 tries, earning his debut for in Game 1 on 8 June, coming off the bench in a 16-10 loss to ; he also played in the decisive Game 3 victory on 13 July. His club performances, including high running metres and tackle efficiency, propelled the Eels to the grand final, though they lost 28-12 to the . By 2023, Matterson had played 18 games without scoring a try, focusing on a as the Eels again reached the grand final, falling 26-24 to Penrith in a thrilling contest on 1 October. His tenure under continued to emphasize reliability in the second row, with consistent minutes in key matches. In 2024, Matterson featured in 16 games and scored no tries, maintaining his position as a steady forward option early in the season before 's mid-year dismissal in May; interim coaching followed, but Matterson remained a core part of the pack. The 2025 season marked a downturn, with Matterson limited to just 4 appearances and no tries before losing favor under new head coach , who took over at the start of the year. On 22 July, the Eels granted him a release to join the for the remainder of the 2025 season, despite his contract extending to 2026. As of 2025, his overall stint with the Eels includes 97 games and 11 tries.

Warrington Wolves

In July 2025, Ryan Matterson joined the on a loan deal from the for the remainder of the season, having been granted permission to depart after limited opportunities under new Eels coach . The 30-year-old forward, who wore the number 40 jersey, signed an initial six-month agreement with an option for extension, arriving in the UK later that week to bolster Warrington's pack amid their push for a playoff spot. Matterson made his debut for on 1 August 2025 against the , coming off the bench in a 20-16 defeat following a nine-week absence due to a sustained earlier in the year. Primarily deployed as a lock or second-rower, he featured in eight matches during the 2025 campaign, registering zero tries but providing solid go-forward and defensive work that supported the team's efforts to secure a mid-table finish in eighth place. His was hampered by ongoing issues, limiting his consistency despite positive early impressions in games against sides like and . On 6 August 2025, shortly after his debut, Matterson voiced openness to extending his stay in England beyond the loan period, praising the Super League environment and Warrington's ambitions under coach Sam Burgess, even as he remained contracted to the Eels through 2026. However, he departed the club in late September 2025 after the conclusion of the loan period. Following his return to Australia, negotiations for a transfer to the Gold Coast Titans fell through in late October 2025, and Matterson is set to remain with the Parramatta Eels for the 2026 NRL season. On 14 November 2025, a three-match suspension for a crusher tackle was upheld by the NRL judiciary, meaning he will miss the first three rounds of 2026.

Representative career

City Origin

Ryan Matterson made his representative debut for the New South Wales team in the annual City vs Origin series in 2016. Selected as a back-rower after limited NRL appearances with the earlier that season, he featured in the match on 8 May at Scully Park in , scoring one try in 's 44–30 victory over . His try came from an intercept near his own tryline, contributing to a momentum shift that saw score 34 unanswered points after trailing early. Matterson was not selected for the team in , the final year of the series. Over his City Origin career, he appeared in one game, scoring one try. The City vs Country Origin series, a traditional representative fixture back to 1911, was discontinued by the NRL after the 2017 edition to prioritize regional NRL games and reduce player fatigue ahead of the . Matterson's selection reflected his emerging form with the Roosters, where he had impressed in his initial NRL outings.

State of Origin

Matterson was included in the extended squad for the and served as the 18th man for Games 1 and 2 without entering the field. His State of Origin debut came in Game 1 of the 2022 series on 8 June at Accor Stadium, where he entered off the bench as a second-rower during the ' 16-10 loss to . Matterson contributed 77 run metres and 26 tackles in the match. Although his consistent performances for the helped secure the selection, Matterson was omitted from the Blues' lineup for Games 2 and 3 of the 2022 series. He remained unselected for the 2023, 2024, and 2025 series. Matterson's representative career in the interstate series totals one appearance with zero tries scored, and he earned the "Baby Blues" label for making his debut at age 27 following an extensive NRL club tenure.

Playing statistics

Club statistics

Ryan Matterson's club career statistics encompass his appearances in the (NRL) from 2016 to 2025 and the in 2025. He has played exclusively as a back-rower or lock, scoring points solely through tries, with no goals or field goals recorded. The following table summarizes his year-by-year club statistics:
YearClubGamesTriesPoints
201615416
20172314
201822520
201924520
202019312
202117416
202223416
20231800
20241600
2025400
2025800
Total18926104
Matterson featured in grand final appearances with the in 2018 and the in 2022.

Representative statistics

Matterson's representative career in is limited but notable, encompassing selections for City Origin and . He made his representative debut in the 2016 City vs Country match, where he scored a try in City's 44-30 victory over Country. His only other appearance came in the , playing off the bench for in Game 1, a 16-10 loss to at Accor Stadium. Matterson did not feature in subsequent Origin games that year and has no recorded international appearances for . The following table summarizes his individual statistics from these representative matches:
YearCompetitionGames PlayedTriesGoalsField GoalsPoints
2016City vs Country11004
2022 (Game 1)10000
TotalRepresentative21004
These figures reflect Matterson's contributions in high-stakes interstate fixtures, emphasizing his utility role without further scoring impact beyond his debut try.

References

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