Courtesy of Paul Crawley and Gutherson's management, we're now aware that Clint Gutherson is asking for $700,000 per season, or about seven percent of the salary cap.
The Eels have baulked at this figure and offered around $500,000 a season, citing Clint's history of ACL injuries and the risk that if it goes again, we have a huge portion of the cap sitting in rehab for a season and no way to replace him.
$700,000 is near elite fullback money. To command that you have to be sitting in and around Origin discussion. He hasn't even rated a mention with Brad Fittler, despite Tedesco being the only likely available fullback for NSW come Origin time given the injury to Tom Trbojevic.
I'm not suggesting Gutho is Origin level, merely that if Tedesco were to be injured, there isn't really an able replacement for him.
Gutherson has played 66 games for the Eels since 2016, playing 25 at fullback. It's therefore a little mystifying how he can claim the figures being reported given he's spent less than half his career at fullback.
I also find it reprehensible from Gutho's management to be demanding this sort of payment after a wooden spoon season. No player in our side deserved that type of money after last season and we're only five games into this season.
The other consideration for the Eels is the number of junior players coming through and being in line for upgrades. Reed Mahoney, Marata Niukore, Jaeman Salmon, Ray Stone and Oregon Kaufusi will all be in the long term plans of Parramatta and they'll be wary of other clubs coming to raid them.
Then you also have the halves pairing of Moses and Brown. Moses, as we know, is already on big money. In my opinion, his ceiling is a lot higher than Gutherson's and with another good season or two, he'll be up there in Origin discussion. We know how highly Brad Fittler rates him.
Dylan Brown, whilst only three games into his NRL career and currently injured, is also a player we can't really lowball. If he continues his development he'll be commanding elite halves money as well.
Parramatta are right to be cautious about going all in on Gutherson, his injury history and the number of Eels juniors coming through who deserve upgraded contracts means we can't go throwing money around without seriously considering if it's well spent.
Don't get me wrong. I like Gutherson. He puts his heart and soul into every game he plays and is a leader of the side. But he's spoken a lot about loving the club, enjoying playing under Brad and being in a really tight knit group. The way his management is carrying on puts a sour taste in my mouth.
I know it's a business but at the same time, this is the wrong way to go about your contract negotiations. Actively leaking information to the media about how much money you want is a good way to get fans offside if they see you as trying to hold the club to ransom. Which is exactly what Ayoub is doing here.
The irony of all of this is that three weeks ago there was a lot of talk about Dylan Brown looking at huge deals. He's injured and we haven't heard a peep from his management ever since.
I'm comfortable if the Eels up their offer to $600,000 a season. An argument can be made he's worth that amount.
But if he leaves to chase the dollars then it will feel like everything he has said about Parramatta is a lie. We gave him a shot when Manly didn't want him. Add to that the fact Gutherson said, at the start of the season, he was happy to delay contract talks.
His management has also pressured the club into re-signing Brad Arthur. Pardon my French, but go fuck yourself sideways Ayoub. A coaching appointment is not something you do overnight and is not something you do after five games following a wooden spoon season. The club has openly said they are waiting until mid-year to look at resigning BA.
I wonder what happens if the Eels lose their next few games. Will there be as much of a rush for players to try wring more money out of the club if they're underperforming?
The bottom line is, if he goes, he goes. We'll know the club has done everything possible to keep him. At the end of the day, the club will move forward, the team will move forward and his name will drift into obscurity as just another player. He could become a player like Paul Taylor. Not quite in the rarefied air of your Sterlings or Kennys, but a great servant of the club who is looked back on fondly by fans who appreciated his contribution to the team. If he walks, and walks back to Manly of all clubs, I daresay he'll be closer to Jamie Lyon's legacy at the club.
Replies
Gutho must play fullback regardless of money. That is his position. So don’t see how he can play for Manly.
From Guyhos point of view he probably wants to make money before another ACL and with his manager in his ear it is understandable. $450k was reasonable based on his performance last year. But this year he has been much better. He doesn’t have the explosive running that would make him top tier but he ticks all the other boxes and is definitely in the top 8 full backs in the game.
I would think $600k is fair
I honestly feel Gutho is not the sharpest tool in the shed and is being lead by the nose by his manager and it would be him putting the value on gutho not the sharpest tool in the shed and the reason why so Ayoub gets a bigger piece of the pie .he is not in for the love of it .just for the money and he says to gutho this what your worth we will screw them for every cent we can .And guess what he is only doing his job .and this situation goes for 90% of players and thats why they have lowlife manegers .be cause they aint the sharpest tools in the shed .and to close if he stays he stays if he goes he goes and life will go on
Who is BA’s manager?
He wouldn’t be giving Ayoub a little nudge nudge, wink wink behind the scenes would he?
I reckon this whole level anxiety of is a result of two things. The first is Gutho’s recent good form and the second is we all know that potentially, Gutho is one good low tackle away from retirement.
I like that the eels are not responding to the demands and media hype and letting it all play out.
About time.
Gutho' s managers approach of playing this out in the media hoping to pressure the eels into agreeing to his terms isn't having the effect they would have hoped for, the vast majority of eels fans responses I have read have supported the clubs stance.
If there's one thing I'm pretty sure of, if Gutho leaves, he won't be able to say it wasn't because of the money. It's in the open now. The only reason he's stalling is because he wants more money. There's nothing about playing a certain position, leadership rolls, coaching issues, facilities at the club. It is simply money. And if he leaves for the money he will be slated by the fans for it and many will lose respect for him.
I think it could be as much about the length as it is the money, the fact he is requesting a 4 year deal shows he knows he is a risk.
Your right Super eel, Ive always advocated for gutherson to be resigned but, not at any cost. I think his value is around $500 to $600K which allows us room to buy other good players and make a great team - but now i'm having my first doubts about Gutho, like you say i think its now just about how much money he can get from us. I hope im wrong, but it is moving into a delicate situation right now, where he can become King Gutho at Parra for a long time to come or he can alianate the fans, and have them turn on him. Time is about to tell.
Yes I have to agree with all Super.
As much as I think Gutherson could be an integral part of the eels squad going forward if he (and it is him, he employs his manager not the other way round) makes it non feasible going forward then we just have to go in another direction.
Balls really in Guthersons court now. Does he want to go all out mercenary or accept a very reasonable offer and reward the eels to some small extent for their patience confidence and trust?
And what is the standard answer that the players give when they are asked about contract negotiations ILL LEAVE ALL THAT UP TO MY MANAGER as I said they are not the sharpest tools in the shed and they are guided by what the manager says and that’s why they employ them
Gutherson doesn’t come across to me as unintelligent. He had been used by Fox Sports on a couple of occasions as a panelist and he comes across quite well. He certainly can make a call as to whether he wants an extra 100k or so or reward the club for loyalty. He will make that ultimate call.
-
1
-
2
-
3
-
4
-
5
of 8 Next