‘Yeah, 100 per cent’: Matt Burton star makes stunning call on $23m potential NFL switch

Bulldogs superstar Matt Burton has sensationally declared himself interested in becoming an NFL punter, saying of a potential $23 million switch: “I could definitely crack it if I come over”.

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Already boasting one of the biggest boots in NRL history, Burton has now revealed his interest in cracking American football after wowing locals with a series of signature bombing raids this week inside both Allegiant Stadium and the Raiders NFL headquarters.

On the eve of Canterbury’s golden point win over St George Illawarra, the New York Post even revealed NFL scouts are interested in the Bulldogs No.6, while Australia’s reigning Super Bowl winner Michael Dickson has also declared the NRL playmaker capable of crossing over.

Only weeks after helping his Seattle Seahawks to the Vince Lombardi trophy, Dickson has backed Burton to join him in the NFL kicking ranks, saying this week here Stateside: “I’m sure he could do it”.

Only last year, Dickson re-signed with the Seahawks for $23.25 million over four years, making him the highest earning punter in the NFL.

So what chance ‘Burto’ soon joins him?

Speaking in the bowels of Allegiant Stadium following Saturday night’s win, Burton was asked if, with all the interest in his kicking this week, he would consider a switch?

After all, it was pointed out, with NFL scouts already interested, and the small matter of you coming off contract at the end of 2027, the idea of earning piles of Benjamins has to be enticing, right?

“Yeah, 100 per cent if something pops up I would look at it,” Burton grinned. “And I feel like I could definitely crack it if I was to come over here.

“At the moment I’m happy at the Dogs. And happy to get the win. But maybe down the track something may appear …”

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While Burton has only ever kicked with an NFL ball once previously, the popular Bulldog reveals “it went pretty far”.

“So we’ll see what the scouts were doing tonight,” he laughed. “See if they were watching.”

Dickson is the fourth Australian punter to feature in a Super Bowl, and the first to win the Big Dance – with Ben Graham, Mitch Wishnowsky and Arryn Siposs all losing their own respective attempts.

Asked about the hyped Seahawks’ high praise this week, Burton continued: “I’ve heard there’s been a bit of chat, that he reckons I could crack it.

“That’s cool.

“It’s obviously a massive sport.

“I try and stay away from all that [talk about an NRL switch] but, at the end of the day, you obviously do hear it.

“And my family was reading it.

“There was so much talk this week around me hitting the roof and all that s***.

“But I just wanted to focus on tonight’s game. And now we’ve got the two points I’m happy.”

Burton shocked even Las Vegas Raiders players last Wednesday, when at a Canterbury training session inside their facility, one of his towering bombs struck a practice facility roof some 110 feet above.

NFL players watching on suggested not even Raiders punter AJ Cole had achieved the feat, adding how the training facility roof had been specifically built high enough to ensure it couldn’t be hit.

None of which deterred Burton, who also went close to bombing a speaker connected to the Allegiant Stadium roof during a Friday afternoon Captain’s Run on the field.

Pushed on his NFL interest, Burton said: “I watch the NFL but don’t support one team.

“[The punting] is a lot more technical. You’ve got to try and pin them down there, get as close as you can to tryline without going too far.

“While I’ve watched a fair bit of it, I’d have to study it a lot if I was going to have a decent crack.”

XERRI RESPONDS TO FLANNO RANT

Still on Canterbury, and centre Bronson Xerri has responded to claims from St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan that his highly controversial moment late in their Las Vegas Golden Point thriller was “a loose carry every day of the week”.

Flanagan took aim at the refereeing after his side suffered a heartbreaking loss in extra time, courtesy of a clutch Stephen Crichton field goal, saying the game was “not decided in the right way”.

Towards the end of extra time, Canterbury gained their strong field position after Dragons backrower Ryan Couchman was penalised for stripping the ball from Xerri – a decision Flanagan blasted afterwards.

Speaking himself after the game however, Xerri disagreed.

“Definitely a strip,” he said. “I was confident and if [the referee] had said it was a knock on I would’ve definitely told Critter to challenge it.”

Then told how Flanagan said it was a loose carry every day of the week, Xerri continued: “Nah, nah, nah, I practice that [holding the ball] every training session. It was definitely a strip.”

But as for how he was feeling that moment the Steeden came out?

“Ah, look, I just hoped the ref would make the right call,” the Bulldog shrugged. “But like I said, I back myself. And if he didn’t make the right call I would’ve told Critter to challenge it.”

NFL REPORTER’S STUNNING PRAISE FOR NRL STARS

An American NFL journalist has heaped praise on Australia’s rugby league stars after covering his first NRL Las Vegas experience, declaring: “I think you guys aren’t only as tough as NFL players, but tougher”.

Speaking high up in the Allegiant Stadium media box on Saturday night, Las Vegas Raiders beat writer Mike Dixon heaped praise on the NRL athletes after covering the entire week for Vegas Sports Today.

Dixon told us that while this was his second year at the event, he had initially attended in 2025 as a fan.

“Last year I came as a spectator,” the NFL journalist explained. “Tickets to this event are really affordable, and I chose not to work as media because I really wanted to have a true fan experience, understand why this game is so big in Australia.

“[Laughs] And that first time around, I didn’t even know what a try was. Didn’t know it was a touchdown.

“But now this year, I’ve been given an even better insight again.

“I’ve learned so much more covering the players, the coaches … and your fan base is awesome too.”

So as for how Saturday night’s games compared to his usual beat?

“NRL players are so powerful, so durable,” he said.

“And to see these guys doing it without constructed plays like in the NFL, it really is incredible. You guys just pitch the ball and go. You just drop the shoulders with no pads, no helmets, it’s absolutely brutal, man.

“You guys aren’t only as tough as NFL players, but tougher. I really believe that.”

So you’re a fan?

“Absolutely,” Dixon grinned. “Now, I just have to pick a team.

“And I’m an underdog guy. I’m from Florida. A big Miami Dolphins fan. So I have to find my Dolphins in the NRL …”

Um, mate, we have a Dolphins.

“Really? Perfect,” he grinned. “I’m going to look into those guys.”

HEAVY HITTERS DESCEND ON ALLEGIANT

There were plenty of heavy hitters inside Allegiant Stadium for the 2026 NRL Las Vegas blockbuster. Among those in the VIP section were the likes of James Packer, Nick Politis, Mark Bouris and DAZN founder, Len Blavatnik. Las Vegas Raiders guard Atonio Mafi was also there, seated alongside defensive tackle Thomas Booker IV. Up in the press box, there were also 20 accredited journalists from various US outlets including CBS, Fox 5 and the New York Post.

US PROSPECT ON NRL CLUBS’ RADAR

NRL scouts have been urged to keep a close eye on a hyped American prospect whose 100m PB is 10.52 seconds – and has been likened to barnstorming Penrith winger Brian To’o.

On Friday night here in Las Vegas, Shingirai Hlanguyo was part of an American Hawks team that came home to beat Scotland 28-20 after trailing by two points at halftime. A group of Hawks players were also then spotted inside Allegiant Stadium on Saturday night, celebrating their win under new US coach Adam Woolnough.

A former South African sprint champion, Hlanguyo currently represents the LA Roosters and has received high praise from Woolnough, who told us this week how the destructive runner “reminds me of Brian To’o”. Twice crowned South Africa’s junior 100m champion, the livewire arrived Stateside after accepting a scholarship from the California State University.

FRONTRUNNER EMERGES FOR GLOBAL ROUND

London is the new clubhouse leader for the NRL’s global push, ahead of Miami, Nashville, Dubai and Singapore. There has even been talk of playing a match as part of a World Club Challenge double header next year. Of course, such a move comes with several complications given Australia’s Club Challenge entrant won’t be known until October. When it comes to next year’s Las Vegas event, Parramatta are being whispered as the first team to lock down a spot of the potential contenders.

COWBOYS ALL CLASS IN VEGAS

Despite losing their NRL Las Vegas season opener, a huge shout out must be given to the North Queensland Cowboys, who were easily the most accessible side in the build to Saturday’s Allegiant Stadium. And it started on day one, when the club offered up both Reed Mahoney and Matt Lodge to travelling media. The Townsville boys are also set to prove a huge hit with locals after suggesting they will be donating all their training gear for a potential rugby league program in Las Vegas. Given the limitations placed on travelling teams regarding equipment, the Cowboys went and bought a heap of gear from a nearby Dicks Sporting Goods store, which will now be passed on to locals looking to grow the game in local high schools.

PAYTEN’S BRUTAL ASK

Still on North Queensland, and the players must now prepare to go straight from one sporting mecca to another. After opening their season inside the $2 billion Allegiant Stadium, the Townsville boys will now have their next clash inside Sydney’s answer to The Death Star … Leichhardt Oval. In a serious aside, at least two of the NRL clubs who competed on the weekend have already spoken with players about the emotional dump that will have occurred on Saturday night, and provided ways for them to overcome that in time for Round 2.

UFC STAR HANDS DOWN VEGAS VERDICT

UFC middleweight Caio Borrahlo was inside Allegiant Stadium for the NRL Las Vegas games on Saturday, and described the atmosphere and NRL athletes as “amazing”. “What an experience,” the fighter told us. “It’s amazing to see how high intensity sports can link cultures. And when you put this in a stage like Las Vegas, you definitely see that sports become a universal language. I’m blessed to be part of it”. While a scheduling clash kept Dana White away, the UFC boss told us this week he is happy to assist the NRL in growing its footprint Stateside.

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