Parramatta has been accused of “disrespectful” treatment of captain Clinton Gutherson.
The star fullback’s uncertain future was the most striking subject that was addressed by new Eels coach Jason Ryles in his first interview in Parramatta colours.
Ryles has wasted no time in overhauling the roster that finished 15th in 2024, with Reagan Campbell-Gillard leaving along with 10 other players.
He is off-contract at the end of 2025 and free to negotiate with rivals from November 1.
Ryles said he is a big admirer of Gutherson’s but has also failed to guarantee the 30-year-old will play at fullback next season.
According to reports, Gutherson will be shifted to play at lock or at No. 9 next season in order for young gun Isaiah Iongi to wear the No. 1 jumper.
According to leading rugby league journalist James Hooper, the Eels have been subtly pushing Gutherson out the door.
“I found it disrespectful and confusing the way Parramatta have addressed that issue,” Hooper said on Fox League NRL 360 after watching Ryles’ first interview.
“Clint Gutherson is their captain. He won the players’ player award. Won the coaches award.
In all likelihood.”
“I think that Gutho may be gone too because I don’t see how a player at thirty years of age, who has spent his entire career as a fullback, would have any appetite whatsoever to transition to a No. 13 or a No. 9
“I think Parramatta are trying to force him to make the decision. So rather than them tapping him on the shoulder, like what they did with RCG. I think they’re saying, ‘We love you, we’ve still got a spot for you, we just want you to play at thirteen and a little bit at hooker. Or maybe off the bench’.
“You can’t have a $900,000 bench player. You just can’t.”
He said he expects the Dragons to swoop once the November 1 deadline passes.
Replies
Hooper needs to give himself an uppercut.
Gutho has always said he'll do what's best for the team . We need to get quicker .
If it goes well and he fully buys in He would be the most valuable utility in the comp , could cover the whole backline for us and change the tempo of games in the middle with fresh legs . If it doesn't than he'll probably be gone sooner than later.
Hooper guessing he'd be filthy about it is an insult to Guthos team first mentality and doing what's best for the club. The club hasn't done wrong by him. The game has changed and he's lost a step , it happens . Hes still a valuable player for all the other things he brings and one of them is his ability to put the teams needs above himself.
We took gutho when no one else wanted him, made him a millionaire and captain of the club. He's now busted and instead of moving him on we are looking at other options because we know his worth. Someone send me hoopers address
Is that the "royal we"......fcuk you did a good job.....stop and think for a minute "we" had nothing to do with it....strange as it may seem Gutho did it all!
I mean did you miss the part where parramatta signed him, gave him an opportunity and the captaincy? Obviously his hard work earned these things but he wasn't exactly a superstar at manly. Was just looking for someone to disagree with me
Im involved at the club pops
The question stands, is that the "Royal We " were you involved in the decision to give him the opportunity. If yes. you did well.
"he wasn't exactly a superstar at manly"
You do know he had fantastic wraps on him at Manly as a schoolboy footballer and was groomed as a superstar in waiting. BA had great contacts at Manly and knew his potential. It was a no brainer to make him an offer and get him to Parra with the ACL recovery to come.
Being involved with the club RB is a relative point but it can also be a bit like telling your daughter in law she needs to be nicer, she's in the family but it does not empower her.
Poppa mate maybe there's a generational difference here because I don't have a clue what this has to do with gutho. All I said was I think the club has done pretty well by him over the last 8 years, and it's time the club looks after itself
This is what you said "We took gutho when no one else wanted him, made him a millionaire and captain of the club" it was the "we" I was talking about.
Don't get lost on it, but your right it is a generational thing
Hopefully Gutho comes to the same realisation as Reg and leaves before next season. It is going to be a complete waste having him on our books in 2025. I'm liking what Ryles is doing, this is progress.
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