A commitment from the Parramatta Eels to upgrade Clint Gutherson’s 2019 contract was the sweetener that helped seal the skipper’s three-year extension overnight.
NRL.com understands the Eels have decided to bump up Gutherson’s current deal, using the money they haven’t spent in this year’s salary cap to reward Gutherson for his strong start to the year.
While the Eels didn’t want to budge on the three-year term they offered despite Gutherson’s hope of landing a fourth season, the club proposed a contract upgrade for 2019 in recent meetings with his manager.
The Eels have a substantial amount they haven’t spent in this year’s salary cap, hence their desire to search the marketplace to build on their roster before the June 30 player transfer deadline.
Gutherson’s intention has always been to stay at the club, which only intensified when the Blue & Gold decided to keep coach Brad Arthur at the helm for another two years.
He has been hurt by recent criticism from his own fans frustrated with the protracted negotiations, however there's no denying he's been the heart and soul of the club throughout a rollercoaster period in the Eels' history.
Despite being heavily criticised for their strategy, the Eels have now secured two major coups in the space of 48 hours, plus $15 million from the Federal Government for their new high-performance centre in Kellyville.
Gutherson signs new three-year deal
The attention now turns to halfback Mitchell Moses, who has been offered a three-year deal to remain at the Eels until 2022 – the same year Gutherson is off contract.
NRL.com understands Moses had told Gutherson he wouldn’t sign until the fullback’s future was sorted, however the clarity around the skipper’s future is likely to expedite discussions with the No.7.
The club is hopeful of reaching a resolution with Moses in the coming weeks.
Replies
So the players are holding the club to ransom?
No. What I got from that is that the club has more cap space then they thought and decided to top the offer up, what I can estimate it would be no more then 50k
Also the players want clarity & assurance & they are allowed to want it.
Exactly. I find no way at all the Eels or Gutherson lose out in this deal.
The Eels get there 3yrs. Gutho gets a bit more $$$ a year.
Lets move onto better things. Long live the king
LOL!! Parra Lurker thinks its fantastic. What a shock!! We could lose the next 100 games straight and he woudl still be praising the club.
It’s fantastic in the sense both parties got what they wanted. It’s called compromise.
No it's called the club caving. His 10 missed tackles last game really earnt him another 50k this year. This bloke is the club captain and supposed leader holding the club to ransom and letting his grub manager play this all out in the media. Yeah simply fanastic lol
nah, anal-ist
Yes basically Baz, seems the tails wagging the dog when the clubs catering for what coach a certain player wants before he signs.
Guth is no JT or Cam Smith.
LOL!! So the club caved, and Guth got his bum of a coach another two years.Only at Parra.
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