Players often go where opportunities present themselves and when that is coupled with family reasons, a move then makes sense, as former Parramatta Eels hooker Matt Keating heads to the Burleigh Bears, an Intrust Super Cup side for the 2014 season.
Keating, who played in a total of 129 games for the club over the course of 5 years – his debut coming in 2008 – also played in an NRL grand final in 2009.
With family playing a big role in Keating’s decision to head to the Gold Coast – his fiancee is from the area – the decision was an easy one for the former Eels hooker to make.
“It obviously going to be something different to what I’ve experienced in the last few years,†Keating said.
“But me moving up to the Gold Coast is a good thing. I’m getting married soon and that’s where the Mrs is from. She’s happy to come home and I’m happy to join her.
“On the footy side of things I can’t wait. I’m looking forward to starting training in about a month and seeing all the boys and all the people around the club.
“It’s going to be something new for me but it’s something that I’m really looking forward to.â€
Whilst he may have received quite a bit of scorn from Eels fans over the years, if you ask head coach of the Burleigh Bears, Carl Briggs – signing Matt Keating is a boost for the club both on and off the field.
“It’s an outstanding signing for us not only on the field but off the field as well,†he said.
“He’s been in a professional environment as a fulltime footballer for a long time and he’s not old either.
“The direction he will bring on the field and what he’ll give to the other players around him will be immense.
“It’s a statement of intent for us to sign him and we’re fortunate to sign him.â€
Keating joins several other new players at the club, as well as several promising youngsters from the Gold Coast Titans NYC side.