In a shock revelation, it has been revealed recently signed St George Illawarra Dragons fullback Clint Gutherson reached out to the Manly Sea Eagles about potentially joining the club.
Gutherson was released by Parramatta for the final year of what was his ongoing deal in 2025 a number of weeks ago, but it was clear negotiations with the Dragons had dragged on.
He eventually signed with the club on a three-year deal after it had been reported the Red V only wanted to offer him a two-year deal to join the club.
The former Parramatta captain, who could walk straight into the same role at the Dragons who have chased experience this off-season by signing not only Gutherson, but also ex-South Sydney Rabbitohs hooker Damien Cook and current Queensland Maroons outside back Valentine Holmes, had reportedly become frustrated with the pace of negotiations between his camp and the Dragons.
It has now been revealed by Wide World of Sports' The Mole that Gutherson's camp reached out to the Manly Sea Eagles to determine if there was any chance of the fullback finishing his career where it began.
Gutherson played the first five games of his NRL career for Manly between 2013 and 2015 before shifting to the Eels in 2016 where he became a club legend, playing 206 games.
The report suggests Manly did consider making a play for Gutherson, but ultimately opted out given salary cap issues.
Manly's salary cap has been widely questioned in recent times, and while the club have taken steps to claim there are no issues, there is little doubting that the club have a top heavy roster, with big deals for Tom and Jake Trbojevic, Daly Cherry-Evans and Haumole Olakau'atu among others.
There is also a question around where Gutherson would have lined up for Manly, although the same issue presents at the Dragons. It has been widely suggested Gutherson won't be able to continue playing fullback moving forward given his knees, and it's unclear where he will play at the Dragons with Tyrell Sloan wearing number one in 2024.
Tom Trbojevic is the walk-up starting fullback at the Sea Eagles.
Gutherson, for his part, has shown nothing but eagerness to begin work with the Dragons.
“I feel really excited and honoured to be able to come here and put this jersey on and have that badge on my chest,” Gutherson told club media after signing on.
“I can move forward to where I want to go as a player and as a person and there's no better club for that than the Dragons… The rich history that this club has is second to none.”
Replies
I'm glad Gutherson isn't wearing a eels jumper, nothing wrong with chasing a pay packet fFS sack Clint kept it real once in a while...“I feel really excited and honoured to be able to come here and put this jersey on and have that badge on my chest,” Gutherson told club media after signing on. Lol what a comedian
Dragons fans will turn on Gutho
He's a mercenary. One of those fiercely competitive people who must win every game which is why he's played this game at the highest level for years. He's a great player. But he doesn't give a crap about club, fans etc. The very nanosecond the Eels refused to pay him top dollar he was out the door. Nothing wrong with that, some would call it professionalism. Nothing sentimental about Gutho and I feel the same about him.
mercenary is the word, can't agree on Gutho playing the game at the highest level - didn't make an impact at SOO level, looked out of place in that arena and defensively exposed. Gutho is a competitor can't deny that.
💯💯💯
So much crap about him moving to Wollongong and how he is a leader and wants be part of community as well as club. Journalist are getting their pants over Gutho. Does that mean he wasn't invested in Parra, as never considered moving closer to more of the playing group. I understand living on the coast much better then parra but stories making out he is doing moving for the club and be a leader, no he his doing it for the lifestyle. Every story about Gutho and there are plenty are making him out to be superstar player with unmatched professionalism and leadership skills
He is a competitor who relies on effort, and his body is breaking down with his speed gone. He isn't as liked as people believe and if great leader why did parra have so many blow out scores due to lack of effort last year both before and after BA sacking.
"superstar player with unmatched professionalism and leadership skills" yep not the complete picture and that's expected when it's comes to the media - I wouldn't say leadership is Gutho's strong suit, he led by example doesn't make him a great leader. I think this story will rub dragons fans the wrong, Ryles backing Clint into a corner was the right move.
He was desperate for a 3 yr contract - good luck to him; loyalty is two ways after all. Let's move on now and flog saints...and kick the Fck I out of them and make him run and run..!
Can't fault Gutho for his own personal efforts, but what standards was he driving at Parra?
We had a terrible off field culture, played in a spoon bowl and shit the bed whenver we had adversity in games. Bloke was fit as and would run all day but the standard driver stuff is way overblown looking at where the standards have been at Parra. Bloke gave his all no doubt about that but I don't think he has a clue about driving a winning culture or getting the best out of his players. He comes from the BA Bush leadership program.. owned his effort areas and played tough. Theres something to be said for those attributes and he rarely hada bad game for us. I don't think he was a great leader or bloke that inspired others to pull together and elevate their standards.