Penrith's Burton call proves the right one
Penrith were never going to accept claims that they were selfish for not allowing Matt Burton to join Canterbury early.
Under intense pressure from the Bulldogs' major sponsor and critics, barely a day went by at the start of the NRL season where the heat wasn't on for Burton to be released.
For the Panthers, keeping the Dubbo junior at the club was a common-sense decision.
Why would they ever consider letting the best back-up half in the competition go?
Particularly when their starting No.7 Nathan Cleary was always going to play State of Origin and five-eighth Jarome Luai was a Blues contender.
Now, the decision to hold onto Burton could prove to be the best of the year.
With Cleary injured, Burton will have the reins in the halves alongside Luai for at least the next month - starting on Friday night against Parramatta.
With Cleary no guarantee to return, it's possible the 21-year-old Burton could lead Penrith's title assault.
"Our thinking along that was always that a squad is going to allow you an opportunity to win a premiership," coach Ivan Cleary said.
"Matt was always an important part of our squad."
In their one game together this year, Luai and Burton beat Melbourne at Panthers Stadium.
Burton was judged man of the match and was again easily the Panthers' best in his other two games in the halves during the Origin period.
When he hasn't been in the halves, Burton has been one of the Panthers' best at left centre.
In fact, it's now possible Penrith could actually miss him there as he has scored nine tries in 10 games at centre.
Such was their faith in him playing in thr position, they made it part of their pitch for him to stay at the club beyond this year.
"Burto's been outstanding for us in the centres this year which we always saw as a viable option," Cleary said.
"Matt's a half by trade and that's why he's leaving our club because he wants to pursue that option."
Meanwhile, Cleary praised his son Nathan for his toughness in playing 70 minutes with the shoulder injury in Sunday's series-sealing NSW Origin win.
"It's a bit of old-fashioned toughness, today's game discourages that type of play where the game can stop at any moment at the moment," Cleary said.
"The Queensland team didn't know he was injured so didn't target him, he almost fooled the NSW medical staff too.
"He's always been pretty tough, Nat, but it was more than tough. It was smart as well."
