Bulldogs “very confident” that “superstar” Burton will extend with club

Canterbury Bulldogs major sponsor Craig Laundy expects superstar five-eighth Matt Burton to re-sign with the club.

Burton, 22, comes off-contract at the end of the 2023 season, and with just one season remaining on his deal is free to talk with rivals about the 2024 season onwards from November 1 this year.

While the Dubbo native was waiting for the club’s next coaching appointment to make his next call, Laundy believes that securing former Penrith assistant Cameron Ciraldo will do plenty in keeping Burton at Belmore.

“Obviously, Matt has a strong history with Cam,” Laundy said on SEN 1170 Mornings.

“Gus and Cam will start to talk to Matt, and I’d be very confident that they can work something out.”

Having originally secured Burton from Penrith after the 2021 season, Laundy says securing his services beyond next season is the next piece of the puzzle for the Bulldogs.

“Matt is a superstar,” Laundy said.

“We knew he was, that’s why we were so keen to sign him.

“Myself and dad went out and sat with his mum out in Dubbo and explained our role in looking after players off the field.

“That’s the next piece, the coaching piece of the puzzle is now done.”

Ciraldo will join the Bulldogs following the end of Penrith’s season while it’s believed Burton’s next deal could be worth north of $1 million a season.

The Bulldogs will hope to pick up their seventh win of the season when they face the Eels at CommBank Stadium on Saturday.