Sad news: a world-class player from Parramatta Eagles has announced his resignation due to personal health difficulties.
Ryan Matterson, the back-row star for the Parramatta Eels, has had his “mystery” absence explained, and it seems unlikely that he will play another game this season. Matterson has been through a number of neurological tests, according to Sydney Morning HeraldTM reporter Michael Chammas, as he struggles with headache and dizziness issues that have kept him off the field for the previous three weeks. The 29-year-old hasn’t played for the Eels since round 10, when he and teammate Blaize Talagi were knocked unconscious against the Brisbane Broncos.
After being replaced in the 58th minute, Matterson was not required to have a head injury evaluated. The two were defending their line when there appears to have been a minor head collision, as seen in the replays of the event. It is now up to the Eels to attempt to pinpoint the exact minute that Matterson’s health problems began. Since pulling him from the game in round 11, the club has been evasive regarding his availability, claiming that he is out due to illness.
Chammas was informed by anonymous sources that Matterson has not yet made a comeback because of lingering worries over his history of concussions.
“He hasn’t been available for the past three weeks and the club has said he has been out due to illness,” Chammas stated on Nine. “Over the past few weeks, he has undergone a number of neurological exams, and it is suspected that he is experiencing a case of headaches and dizziness. Because of his history with concussions, he hasn’t played for Parramatta since the tenth round. He’s still recovering after a blow to the head from Blaize Talagi.
“It’s a week-to-week proposition and any time he gets close to playing, he suffers from those headaches and dizziness.” Matterson and the Wests Tigers apparently had a falling out in 2020 over how Matterson should be handled following a concussion, according to the Herald.
