Source :- THE AGE NEWS
Las Vegas: Bulldogs star Matt Burton and his giant left boot has caught the attention of the NFL for a second time after he kicked a ball that slammed into the roof inside the Las Vegas Raiders’ training facility.
Several Raiders players could not believe the footage when they were shown on Tuesday local time, and quickly remembered it was Burton who casually booted a gridiron ball 62 metres – an unofficial NFL record – off a tee at Belmore on Super Bowl Day.
Burton has been on the radar of NFL scouts who are keen to know if he is serious about pursuing the sport once his deal with the Bulldogs expires at the end of 2027, when he will still only be 27.
His manager David Riolo told this masthead earlier this month: “There’s already been some interest from NFL scouts – it’s something he wants to look at down the track, for sure. He’s off contract with the Dogs at the end of next year. I don’t think his rugby league journey finishes there, but he will not close the door on an opportunity if it arose in the NFL.”
Two of the best-paid kickers in the NFL, Kansas City’s Harrison Butker and the Philadelphia Eagles’ Jake Elliott, are 30 and 31 respectively and earn about $8.5 million a year. Burton, however, has more of an interest in being a punter if he does pursue the NFL.
Several NRL players in Vegas got the chance to tour the Raiders facilities, and even caught up with a few of their players, including Caleb Rogers and Thomas Booker IV.
Rogers, who is 195cm, weighs 140kg and ran 5.09 seconds over 40 yards at last year’s NFL Combine, said Raiders punter AJ Cole had a “cannon”, but did not regularly hit the roof when kicking like Burton did.
“We specifically built this indoor area to the height it is so we stay away from that issue,” Rogers told this masthead.
“It was really cool to see. I saw the video of his 68-yard kick, which was incredible.
Matt Burton at training in Las Vegas.Credit: Getty Images
“If he wanted to get into this sport, it would be a great story; if he wanted to come over here, someone is going to give him a chance.”
Booker IV said of Burton’s bombs: “It’s definitely not common for people to hit the roof. You saw in the Super Bowl how the Seahawks had a punter from Australia, and I was just told he played in the AFL, which I was not aware of.
“It’s cool to see how the different sports intersect. I’m sure a lot of these guys can come over and make a hell of a living being an NFL kicker or punter.”
Burton and Canterbury are short-priced favourites to beat St George Illawarra at Allegiant Stadium in their round one NRL clash on Sunday, with vision of his kick proving there are no issues with his left hamstring, which tightened during the trials.
One Dragons player who cannot wait to try and get one over the same club he despised growing up is Luciano Leilua, the back-rower who dropped from 129kg to 107kg over the summer.
“I don’t like the Dogs. I grew up in Arncliffe, Belmore was up the road, I’m a St George local – ‘hate’ is a strong word, but I’ve always disliked them growing up as a junior,” Leilua said.
“I’ve got nothing against the fans. I just don’t like the club.
“Our kick pressure needs to be good this weekend. Lachie Galvin is a freakish young player, he’s got a good kicking game, but we need to get into him physically.”
