Parramatta Eels have agreed to release Clint Gutherson effective immediately.
He is set to take up a 3 year deal with the St-George Illawarra Dragons.
Story by Michael Chammas, SMH
Clint Gutherson’s tenure at Parramatta is over after the club granted the captain an immediate release from his final year at the Eels.
Gutherson has played his final game for the Eels and is on the verge of securing a three-year deal with the St George Illawarra Dragons just 24 hours after they agreed to a mutual termination of the contract with their captain Ben Hunt.
Gutherson is the second NRL club skipper in as many days to sever ties with his respective club after his management requested an immediate release from his contract on Wednesday afternoon.
The Eels held a board meeting on Wednesday night and agreed to grant the fullback his request to part ways effective immediately.
The Eels will not pay any part of his $875,000 salary with St George Illawarra indicating they were in a position to pay the fullback the value of his Parramatta deal.
Another club has also expressed interest but the Dragons are in the box seat to announce his deal as early as this week. The Dragons have also expressed interest in securing Gutherson in 2026 and 2027 on a lucrative contract. The contract hinges on a medical assessment.
Gutherson’s future has been up in the air for several months after new coach Jason Ryles informed him that he planned on moving the veteran out of his usual fullback role.
At first the Eels offered the position to Blaize Talagi but when he signed with the Panthers, Parramatta secured Dylan Edwards’ deputy Isaiah Iongi from Penrith as their No.1 for next year.
Gutherson, who was told that he would be used as a hooker/lock if he stayed at the Eels in 2025, is convinced he still has plenty to offer at fullback and the Dragons are keen to hand the 30-year-old the No.1 jersey next year.
It’s expected to see Tyrell Sloan shift to the wing to accommodate his arrival.
“If it was to happen, Tyrell’s still got a big part,” Flanagan recently said.
“I think it’d be fantastic for Tyrell’s development to have someone like Gutho around. Tyrell could play on the wing. So if I need to have that conversation with Tyrell I will, but I haven’t as yet because it’s a little bit pie in the sky stuff at the moment.”
Gutherson will also come into consideration for the Dragons’ captaincy role that has been vacated by Hunt’s departure, but the frontrunner for the job is South Sydney recruit Damien Cook.
Replies
Nov 1 doesnt make a difference. Those players are off contract for 2026.... none of them are coming in 2025 for which we now have 2mil to spend on....no one. wow what a win. 2025 is now a write off, we will be lucky not to get the spoon.
In the last 24 hours , Papenhuyzen is going to market, Hunts gone and likely Gutho.
Longi might find himself on the wing in 25
We would have to be going hard at Papynhausen
Pappy talking to rorters
Not gonna happen
Not just 2025 if that is the case. But regardless of Gutho going or not this year we could still go for Papenhuyzen as it's not til 2026. Gutho leaving doesn't make us more likely to go for Gutho, his money was free in 26'
Jason Ryles has given me more confidence that some good times may be ahead than Brad Arthur gave me in 10 years , and Jason hasn't even coached a game yet .
If Ryles doesn't win a single game all season he'll still be my favourite coach since Gibson just for ridding us of that topknot flog. Im actually going to grab a Steelers membership this season just so I can go and boo Flufferson amongst the Dragqueers fans.
The Dragons fan forum is mixed. One imbocile said we moved him on as our cap is a mess and we had too many alpha voices so he got the punt. Yeah definately, not about his legs being gone. The forum were very cold about Gutho being linked saying he is old etc. Now most are saying it is brilliant.
Lost their Halfback and captain, bringing in a Fullback who is on his last legs. Though Flanagan apparently said he has fielded calls from many agents Halfbacks, most still contracted. Now i would not be surprised if Isaac Moses is one for Mitchell. Doubt Mitchell would go there if he leaves, Roosters or Brisbane is more likely, but would not surprise me in the slightest.
That dragons fan ain't far off. Our cap was fucked and he did think he was bigger than the club.
He sounds like one smart cookie , wonder if he's local for a beer.
Imagine losing Ben Hunt and Lomax in one off season 😂. It comforts me that no matter how retarded our clubs decision makers are , the Dragons always make me feel better about it. They just released their up and coming halfback too a few weeks ago .
If they were smart they'd be sounding out Asi. But knowing them , they'll pursue someone like bringing Jack Hastings home. Just don't let his mum work the canteen . Unless it's gone cashless of course.
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