Clint Gutherson and Dylan Brown. Two of the stars of the Eels over the Brad Arthur era.
Gutherson, a talented Manly junior who was recruited by Arthur and Brown, an Eels project developed from a teenager.
Plenty has been written about both players' contract decisions.
Gutherson departed of his own accord when told he won't play fullback and a longer term deal wouldn't immediately be on the table.
Brown took a lifetime deal at Newcastle that was virtually impossible to turn down.
Yet for all the talk about Parramatta losing their heartbeat in Gutherson when he departed for the Dragons, it became somewhat clear that his talk about "I've always said I'll move if the coach thinks it's right" appeared to be something of a tall tale.
The above quote was said by Gutherson when asked about Parramatta's attempts to retain Blaize Talagi.
Gutherson was the full time Eels fullback from 2019 onwards, but had previously spent time at the back in 2017 and 2018.
When new head coach Jason Ryles sat Gutherson down and explained that Isaiah Iongi would be getting the number 1 in 2025 and that an extended deal wasn't on the table immediately, Gutherson looked for a way out.
Where was the player that had bled blue and gold for nearly a decade?
A suggestion of him moving out of his preferred position, once actually made rather than asked as a hypothetical, saw the club captain decide he wanted to play fullback for another side.
Contrast that with Dylan Brown.
The talk about his contract value and length is no longer an issue. He's going.
But when Brown was asked to play hooker, he slotted into the 9.
When asked to play in the centres, there was no complaint.
And now, in his final match in the blue and gold, Jason Ryles has seen fit to let he and Moses have one last ride together in the halves.
It seems that when it came down to it, only Brown was truly prepared to shift positions for the betterment of the team rather than his own ego.
Replies
Great blog Super, the title says it all - Green Bay packers absolutely suck lol
Gutho gave it all on the field.
Away from it he comes across as a flogging and anyone who has had a kid ask for a Autograph can show how cold he was.
His contract saga's were not the stuff of a leader.
Brown i feel has been burned by expectations and salary and never really lived up to that its only going to get harder for him.
Thought just put this in . My Granddaughter he Husband and three little great grandchildren came down from Queensland the week before last and being Eels supporters ( imade sure of that from an early age for all of them ) wanted to see our new centre of excellence . I told them where to . They were having a look around sure Ryles do a press conference. Then saw Dylan Brown walk out and to their great joy he saw the kids gave gave them a huge smile and waved to them .Now the little ones are true Eels fans so thank you Dylan i wish you all the best
Beautiful story, Hector. Like your grandkids, I've got a soft spot for Dylbags.
Collectively, King Gutho & Dylbags gave us around 350 NRL games & 16 NRL seasons. Really, say around 20 plus if you count Dylan’s teenage years. Kudos, thank you, and good luck.
Were they perfect? No. But as I’m neither in the inner sanctum nor married to Gutho or Dylbags, I’ll leave the downsides to what’s already been said. I've largely emotionally moved on and settled down lol.
They got their security with the best offers on the table, and we got Iongi and hungry rookies. Win-Win. Would’ve been nice to see Dylan stay for less and chase his ceiling here, or send Gutho off at Commbank, but you can’t have everything. Overall, it’s a happy ending that opens a world of possibilities.
Thanks HOE and spot on with your other comments
Nice thoughts Bobby.
Another one you have over me, I haven't got any great grandchildren......yet!
Happy Days Dave im loosing count I think its up to 7 . Wish they all would slow down.costing heaps in presants😂
He was waiving at your grandaughter , Broseph. Not the kids.
Wiz you have certainly gotten out of the wrong side of the bed lately Bud
Wiz hates woke so much that i am amazed he is not still asleep in that bed
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