Clint Gutherson says he is worth at least $650,000 a season and that he had hoped to lock up a four-year deal with Parramatta before Christmas rather than let the very-public negotiations continue to dominate headlines.
The Eels skipper struggled for the first time on Thursday to hide his frustrations over his protracted negotiations out west, which has since forced him to dump social media because of some nasty comments from trolls, including some Parramatta fans.
The Eels, whose initial deal was less than $500,000 a season, have since upped it to about $650,000 over three seasons, but the player known as "the King" is keen for that extra year and the chance to "call somewhere home the next four years or more".
Manly have been linked to Gutherson, who started on the northern beaches and continues to live there.
It's understood the Sea Eagles would view him as a five-eighth to Daly Cherry-Evans or a centre, not his preferred No.1 role because of Tom Trbojevic.
While there has been a sustained campaign from some quarters to get Gutherson a new deal, it is worth noting Parramatta are coming off a wooden spoon, a loss to Newcastle last Sunday, and could easily drop games against St George Illawarra on Sunday at Bankwest Stadium, then Melbourne at Magic Round.
There's also a tough road trip to Townsville against the Cowboys with a fit Jason Taumalolo and Souths who await before Origin.
Another important issue that seems to have been overlooked in recent weeks is Gutherson's two ruptured ACLs.
Gutherson broke down in 2015 and then suffered a second ACL rupture in round 20 against the Wests Tigers back in 2017. He missed the opening couple of months of last season and thankfully had no issues since.
While Gutherson himself said he had no issues with his knee – and any club who did "it was their loss" – respected sports medico and NSW Origin team doctor Nathan Gibbs said the chances of a third rupture, or even injuring his good left knee, increased dramatically.
"If you look at a lot of the good players, Joey Johns had an ACL recon, James Tedesco has had one, lots of good players have had the one recon and come back and played well,'' Gibbs told the Herald.
"But when you have had two ACLs, it puts him in that next level when it comes to the risk of further injury.
"Two recons means there may be an inherent weakness in ligament strength for that individual. And one of the biggest issues with the ACL is amount of time out it takes to recover. You can't come back any sooner than six months.''
Gutherson said: "I don't think about it. I don't think [clubs] should. If they do it's their loss."
When the Herald asked Gutherson is he was worth $650,000 a season, he said: "Yes. I'm the captain of this club. I want to be here. I think I am, my manager thinks I am, clubs think I am. That's where I'll leave it.
"[Parramatta] haven't given me the final offer yet. I've stated I'm looking for a longer-term contract. I want to call somewhere home for the next four years or more, and that's what I'm looking for.
"You don't want it lingering. It's always in the headlines. I wanted it done before the season started, they slowed it down a bit and this is where we are now.''
Gutherson said there had not yet been any contact with Sea Eagles coach Des Hasler, and while there was always appeal to head home, "I just have to keep playing footy".
Replies
Gutho is worth whatever someone is willing to pay him. And the longer this is dragged through the media the less I want to see him stick around.
I've been a massive Gutho supporter but this saga has really soured my feelings towards the guy. We don't need players who are going to drag the club through the papers with off field drama. We've had a real off field drama drought and it's been great for the team, the fans and the club. And now this. It's sucked the oxygen out of the season right when the team need to have all eyes on footy.
If anyone in any company I've ever worked for took their contract negotiations public they'd have their contract ripped up in seconds. We should be taking the same approach. If you want a contract-by-media then go elsewhere.
Plus I honestly have no idea what smoke Ayoub has been blowing up Guthos arse but his self-valuation has zero semblance with reality. You're a wooden spoon winning fullback who has had two major knee recos in the last few years.
I was super happy to have Gutho in the team and as our Captain because I thought he showed the right spirit for the club, but the way he has handled this has really made me question him. He's definitely not worth paying overs for - no one is more important than the team.
Absolutely spot on. Gutherson has been absolutely pathetic in hosing down the situation and putting the team first.
As a captain he is looking greedy and is a poor example to the younger gen
Parramatta need to pull the contract and strip him from captaincy asap
I agree
would like to see him officially go to market and see what other teams are willing to pay
funny that no word about Cowboys when his manager seems desperate to find competing bidders. Seriously, is the only other team interested Manly and they already have a fullback. I think Parra can afford to pull back their offer
I'm happy to pay him $650 000 but no more, he ain't a rep player.
Grunts you know that is just not going to happen .remember all the bloody Hayne blogs as you said FMD
This is the first balanced article over this sorry saga I have seen, bur again it is Gutho's team going to the media. At least it sounds like the deal is nearly done. 4th year as a club option?
Can I ask is it possible for a stipulation to be added to his contract should he have another acl injury that he only receives 50%of his salary?
Appreciate that he may not like this option but would the NRL allow this as a safe guard for any club?
Need to be careful with personal conditions and terms in contracts, if like Israel Falou a court thinks that it is an unfair condition then it destroyed what it was trying the save. Year 4 in the clubs favour is a far safer and solid contract
The sooner he goes the better for everyone.
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