As their premiership drought lurches toward 13,000 days, Paramatta skipper Clint Gutherson says it’s time the club “shut a few people up” by ending their 35-year drought.
The agonising wait has now hit 12,577 days and Parramatta captain Clint Gutherson is “sick of hearing about it.”
It’s time, he says, to “shut a few people up”.
“That’s the only way to put it to bed,” he said.
At the NRL season launch in Sydney on Thursday, a pained Gutherson was again forced to discuss the Eels’ excruciating 35-year chase for a premiership.
“It lights a fire for me because you get sick of hearing about it and you want to be that person that can change it,” Gutherson said.
“It’s always going to be there until you win one and take the pressure off. It’s up to us and we have to be the ones that do it. We hear about it every media day or fan day, someone will mention it for us.
“We’re looking forward to this year and hopefully we can shut a few people up. (Winning a grand final) is the only we can do that otherwise it’s going to come back year after year.
“Everyone wants that premiership and we have to deliver. That’s the only way to put it to bed. We have to be able to change it and hopefully it’s this year.”
Try as they have, Parramatta has fallen short every season since 1986.
Each year, Parramatta fans’ expectations hit a crescendo – only to be left crushed by a late-season fade out.
“Everyone goes out to win but we are just unlucky we haven’t got one over the last 20, 30 years,” Gutherson said.
“When you play at this club you know what comes with it. As I said, it lights a fire for me because you want to go out there and not let anyone down or let the club down.
“There is always pressure at Parra on everyone at the club. Look, we’ve got to embrace it, hopefully start the season well, peak at the right time this year and go into the finals this year with a bit of form.”
The players know a premiership would forever secure them a place in Parramatta’s rich yet unfulfilled 74-year history.
Gutherson can visualise what legends Ray Price and Mick Cronin did back on September 28, 1986 – hold aloft the premiership trophy.
“It would definitely be a memory you would always have,” he said. “And you would go down in the (history) books as that person that got that premiership.
“But there’s a long way to go. Hopefully we can just get lucky, be there at the right time and be in good form at the back-end of the season. Let’s see what happens.
“There have been a number of years between premierships. There are always going to be teams that have a drought. We’re just that team at the moment. We got into every year confident and we will go into this year confident. As I said, it’s up to us.”
Parramatta won 15 of 20 games last year and finished third in the minor premiership before losing finals games against Melbourne and Souths to once again be eliminated.
Coach Brad Arthur has assembled a premiership-winning squad who sit on the sixth line of premiership betting paying $15.
“We’ve added a few players this year and we have to go out there and click,” Gutherson said. “We have to roll into the season, hopefully find some form and get out there and win.
“It’s exciting. Everyone has the same dream and the same role. We just have to do it better than everyone and gel as a squad as quickly as we can.
“It’s been a shorter pre-season this year so you can get the body right and just looking forward to footy now. We have to start well and see how it pans out. It’s a long year so we have to make sure we’re in for the whole year.
"I’ve got the body feeling great. I’ve put on a few kilograms which is good and I can’t wait for round one.”
Replies
Him and millions of Eels fans no doubt
you'll never do it with a hair bun
I thought it was just me !
Jesus even Carlo would be upset at this atrocious Haircut
Neanderthal
Then change it
Have heard the same song and dance for 35 years but in all honesty what do people expect him to say
I'm happy having a good team making it into the finals. Yes a premiership would be the ultimate but it isn't the only thing that will make a successful season. If that's all the media can keep coming up with I'll be happy. At least we ain't going like the broncos. Another one in court. HAAHAAHAAHAAHAAHAAHAAHAA.
Tesi Niu to face court.
Assistant coach Cartwright investigated over fight at pub.
Payne in the Haas suspended for abusing a female cop.
Staggs Suspended for whatever.
And the list goes on.
Staggs is injured anyway.
Gee! its terrible to read something like this that may be the very thing the players, and perhaps fans also supporters of the eels would love to hear.
If I read the reason behind the article its Gutho getting revved up by the same mob who love to rub this stuff in and push it onto the captain in smart alec tones.
Pretty good motivation actually. To shut a few people up.
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