The choice of Ryan Matterson who could have saved Parramatta Eels

Eels players know Matterson will have to work overtime if they have any chance of salvaging their season. History points to a loss to Penrith and the Sydney Roosters in round five will make it all but impossible for the Eels to secure the Prime Minister’s office.

Eels legend Nathan Hindmarsh was thrifty during his playing days, but even he was stunned by Matterson’s decision to miss playing time rather than pay a fine.

Hindmarsh also said the club could have done more to force the striker to reconsider his decision, which he later did, but his appeal was ignored by the NRL.

“I’m not saying ‘Matto’ made a huge difference in the first three rounds but with his experience – he played representative football and played good football last year – it’s disappointing as a fan of the club to know he did did what he did,” Hindmarsh told dem herald.

“Ultimately, Matto is employed by the club. If I was the boss of Parra, I would have said, “Dude, you can pay for it”. I don’t know why he didn’t pay for it.

“If he was my teammate I sure would have had the shit. But none of my teammates would have done that.

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“He will walk out there next Thursday knowing the club is 0-3 but [he] can’t try to make up for everything that happened. His experience alone will lift the players around him and he will make them a better team.”

Mitchell Moses and Maika Sivo were fined $750 and $1800 respectively for pulling the hair of Tuilagi and Christian Tuipulotu in Thursday’s game. Reagan Campbell-Gillard was also fined for a shoulder strain from Josh Aloiai.

Moses was seen limping out of Brookvale because of a cork stuck over his left knee. He is in no danger of missing the clash against Penrith at CommBank Stadium.

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