Wests Tigers will have a $1.7 million war chest to attract NRL talent after Ben Matulino was retired on medical grounds and Ryan Matterson released.
The Tigers confirmed on Thursday afternoon that Matulino would become the third player to retire on medical grounds in two days, struck down by a knee injury.
Want-away forward Matterson has also been released and is now a free agent, following a turbulent end to the season under coach Michael Maguire.
Centre Esan Marsters was also released to North Queensland a fortnight ago, freeing up the funds and making the Tigers the most cashed-up club of the summer.
They will also have more than $6 million free for 2021, putting them in the strongest position of all clubs to attract talent for the next few years.
The club will likely be in the hunt for a prop as well as an edge back-rower and fullback, having been strongly linked to the Gold Coast’s AJ Brimson and St George Illawarra’s Zac Lomax.
Tyson Frizell and David Fifita are other possible options, with both middles to come off contract at the end of 2020 and rival clubs able to negotiate from Friday.
Matulino hurt his knee in round 14, and it has now long been clear the 30-year-old would not be able to return to the field.
The Tigers have been in discussions with the NRL for the past month to have the final year of his deal – worth around $800,000 – removed from next year’s cap.
That has recently been approved.
The Kiwi prop played 248 NRL games and 23 Tests after debuting in 2008, and spent the majority of his career at the Warriors before being lured to the Tigers in 2018 by Ivan Cleary.
“On behalf of all at the club, I’d like to firstly congratulate Ben on what has been a superb career in the NRL,” Tigers chief executive Justin Pascoe said.
“He has been a wonderful player for over a decade and has continued to give his all for his sport, teammates and respective clubs.”
“Ben is a terrific family man and it has been a real pleasure to have him be part of this club.”
Matterson’s exit from the club comes after he was granted leave at the end of the season and permission to look elsewhere.
Still with two years left on his contract, he drew criticism from former teammate Robbie Farah earlier in October for not honouring his contract and going after bigger money.
The second-rower has been heavily linked to Parramatta, where he began his career as a junior and has family ties to through father Terry.
Meanwhile it’s understood Russell Packer will remain at the club next year, despite suggestions in 2019 he was also headed for the exit door.
The former New Zealand international played just six games this season as he struggled with a foot injury.
