Parramatta remain hopeful of signing Issac Luke, but they will be waiting a while yet for their skipper Clint Gutherson to re-commit.
Gutherson is prepared to put his own negotiations on the back-burner and has turned his immediate focus to taking some pressure off coach Brad Arthur.
"We let him down last year, we have to repay him,'' Gutherson said of Arthur.
"He's been through everything from a top-four finish to running last to having points taken off us. He's been through it all, and it's time for the playing squad to repay him.
"I'd like to stay at Parra. This is my fourth year now, I feel like it's home out there with the fans and the team we've got.
"But at the moment I just have to play footy. I didn't have the best year last year. I've told my manager [Sam Ayoub] I don't want to talk about it until it gets serious.
"I've been with him 10 years and I have massive trust in him. I have to get off to a good start.''
It's understood the Eels offered Gutherson a two-year deal, but it was well below his market value.
Pressed on Arthur's future having an impact on his own decision to stay put, Gutherson told the Herald: "I have to start year off well, and if we do it will be good for him.''
Gutherson still resides on the northern beaches, but when asked about a return to the Sea Eagles, quipped: "They let me go in the first place.''
Of all the players off-contract out west at the end of the season, Gutherson would be the first player the blue-and-gold army would love to see re-signed. His tears in the dressing sheds after some tough losses last season reflected his passion for the club and the game.
The 24-year-old looks set to lead the Eels again and said he would relish the top job.
"I'm not sure what Brad and the staff want to do, but if I am captain I will take it with both hands,'' he said, as he attended the Fox League launch at the SCG.
"I have to keep learning, I'm still young, I didn't expect to get the captaincy at such a young age, but I've learned so much from it and it's made me better as a person.''
Most expect the Eels to finish closer to the bottom of the ladder again – they are $4.50 second favourites for another wooden spoon – but Gutherson said the pain from last year had driven the players over the summer.
The pursuit of Luke looks set to ramp up after hooker Kaysa Pritchard was granted leave to deal with ''some residual impact from an injury''.
Gutherson said the perky No.9 addressed the group a couple of weeks ago and had the full backing from his teammates.
While Luke's management are yet to see any contracts, the New Zealand hooker remains open to the idea of a move back to Sydney on a longer-term deal.
Replies
With his knee issues it would be a huge risk to offer Gutho anything more than a modest short term contract. This is a good move from the club. We really need Isaac Luke on board now, always a worry with players at his stage of his career that he would be coming for a paid holiday - a long term holiday by the sounds.
Another quality contribution from WRongy, keep it up champ the unicorns appreciate it.
Yo Dr Wong, how does it feel to have me living rent free in your head?
Just keep obsessing over me and what i say, thats called natural order taking place darling.
How funny. Talk about ironic.
How is it ironic? im not the one who chases him around here every day with unprovoked insults, i ignore 95% of them.
Sometimes its better to keep your mouth shut and have people presume you are a fool, than to open it and remove all doubt.
Thats my free tip to you Mannah gobbler.
Poor snake, obsessing over my comments following me around.
it’s ironic because u r following Wong around obsessing over his comments about u feeling a need to point that out by making comments about him.
next time keep your mouth shut instead of removing any doubt. That’s my free tip for u!
Now stop following me around and making comments about me go obsess over someone else.
You imbecile, you both engaged me, totally unporovoked as you usually do, you wont be flipping it onto me you clown.
As i said a let it go 9 times out of 10, im more than entitled to address it every now and then.
Mimmicking is the most sencerest form of flattery lol, you keep that up darling......once again natural order at play....
Its not mimicking u poor dope, it’s imitation that is a form of flattery. If u r flattered by people taking the piss out of u then I feel sorry for u. There is quite a difference.
First I have to explain what ironic is and now I have to point out the difference between this for u. Anyway judging from your reaction I am guessing u were probably crying or off your meds. Either way I forgive u.
Same 3 or 4 with the same shit.
Why do you fellas feel the need to take pot shots at each other.
Cut the shit out and talk footy. FFS.