Canterbury Bulldogs boss Phil Gould confirms Matt Burton will hit open market on November 1, contract, free agent

Bulldogs supremo Phil Gould has confirmed Matt Burton is free to test his value on the open market before November 1.

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Burton still has another year remaining on his current Canterbury contract but is free to field offers from rival clubs before officially becoming a free agent next week.

Gould confirmed the news on social media on Friday evening, with Burton’s value to be determined by where clubs think he is best suited.

Burton was the 2021 Dally M Centre of the Year but has predominantly played in the halves at the Bulldogs.

He was switched to the centres late in the season with Stephen Crichton partnering Lachlan Galvin, and the halves conundrum is something the Bulldogs must solve in the coming months.

Talented youngsters Alex Conti and Mitch Woods are in the mix, with the latter desperate to stay injury free after a number of hamstring issues.

The Bears and the Eels had been linked with Burton for months, while the PNG Chiefs will naturally be linked to anyone on the market.

“Matt’s manager has requested permission to test the market,” Gould tweeted.

“Bulldogs at all times retain last rights. It’s a good way for both Matt and the Bulldogs to gauge his true value. It will give both parties more information.”