The Guthbus journey is about to begin. It might be a bumpy ride along the way but Guth has shown that he has the determination to take on a challenge and succeed.
We know what happened last year with Guth. A comeback after missing a whole season with serious injury to play in an unfamiliar position with new teammates. After a shaky start he finished the season as one of our most consistent players, amid all the carnage. He took on the role as one of the team's playmakers and did not look out of place in those few games.
There are many positives we as supporters should consider before passing hasty judgement on whether Guth can become a long-term halves partner to Corey.
First off, Clint is 22 years old & with his obvious talent & dedication to training he will only improve as a player. He has the perfect build to play in the halves at 190cm (6ft 3" in the old money) and 94kg (14st 11lb) so he has the physical attributes to defend well in the front line.
Clint has already shown his versatility & an impressive range of skills to adapt to playing a number of positions in the backline. We've seen Clint play well at wing, center, five-eighth and the position he has mainly held down through his junior career, fullback.
The modern game has seen a change in the role of the fullback. Hayne, Boyd, Moylan, Coote & others spend most of their attacking game time in the front line, acting as a third half, taking on traditional play-making duties. Guth, as a former fullback, has come through the grades with this type of play already imprinted in his footy DNA.
A big plus for this season is that Corey Norman will be Guth's halves partner (hopefully, not in crime) & Corey is now recognised as one the leading playmakers in the NRL. All that players like Corey & Guth require is some space to work with & looking at the quality of the outside backs we have at the Eels this year, if our forward pack can do their job, the halves will be under less pressure to get our attack firing.
BA is, in many ways, an old-fashioned Coach in the style of play he has set the team to play. He has embraced the basics, of building a team with solid defence & playing for each other, instead of relying on just one superstar. Guth & Corey won't be left posted as a playmakers. We saw last year where BA used Bev & Taka as differing points of attack. Also, the forwards we have brought into the squad, Frank P, Nathan Brown, even Matagi & Vave, are able to promote second phase play. If Parra play an all-team game & the forwards can consistently get over the advantage line, Guth will quickly build up an effective combination with Corey & the backline.
Many people have questioned whether Guth has a good enough kicking game in general play. Few teams have more than one player who is mainly responsible for these kicking duties. The Eels won't be relying on just one player. Corey, Taka & Bev are all capable of putting in decent kicks. Sure, Guth is a work-in-progress with this aspect of his game, but, as he has shown us, he will work hard to improve.
Go The Mighty Eels.
Replies
great read
not sure if guth is the perfect height for halves though
GUTHERSON FOREVER BEN HUNT NEVER!!!
i admit for a while i did want him but that went away 1/4 the way through the off season
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