The 22-year-old forward thought about quitting rugby league altogether when he was axed to Ron Massey Cup, the semi-professional level below reserve grade, during a tough 2025 season at the Tigers.
Tigers coach Benji Marshall used a total of 30 players last season, three of those NRL debutants, but Matamua was overlooked for any first-grade game time.
The situation became so dire the Rugby League Players Association contacted the Tigers with concerns about how a promising local junior, good enough for an NRL debut at 19, could have fallen so far out of favour.
"Obviously no NRL player or future NRL player wants to play Ron Massey (Cup). Obviously there were some dark moments there," Matamua told AAP.
"I'd be lying to you if I didn't think I was quitting. There was times where I felt like hanging up the boots."
Matamua's partner Havannah and their daughter helped keep him going, as did a tattoo inked onto his right bicep during the difficult season.
The tattoo simply reads "Gods timing", reinforcing to the devoutly religious Matamua his dream of becoming a regular NRL first-grader might take longer than originally hoped.
"I was going through a rough patch in my footy career," he said.
"It (the tattoo) was just a constant reminder that me and my partner, we kind of said to each other whenever we're going through hard things, that it's all through God's timing.
"I may not like when it is or how it is, but I know God's timing is the best timing."
Asked whether he had patched things up with coach Marshall before his departure last year, Matamua was diplomatic.
"That's all behind me now. I'm just ready to move forward," he said.
His chance for NRL redemption came via Canterbury, who signed Matamua to a part-time NSW Cup contract in the off-season.
Matamua was excellent in the Bulldogs' first pre-season match last Saturday, barging over for the team's first try in their tight 34-30 loss to North Queensland.
The middle forward has particularly enjoyed working with pathways coach Josh Jackson since arriving at the Bulldogs with dreams of adding to his 14 NRL appearances.
But Matamua need only look at his arm to remember to be patient.
"I'm just glad to be playing footy," he said.
"I'm not really trying to rush into the team, I just want to earn the boys' respect and earn the coaches' respect. Hopefully if I'm good enough, I can play some first grade."
18°C