http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...p/news-story/2a8d6482a01243eaa05ac880f70061a2
Parramatta Eels reject Wests Tigers request for Clint Gutherson-Mitchell Moses swap
DAVID RICCIO, EXCLUSIVE, The Sunday Telegraph
12 minutes ago
THE Parramatta Eels have firmly rejected a behind-the-scenes pitch by the Wests Tigers to release Clint Gutherson as a trade for the immediate release of five-eighth Mitchell Moses.
In a major development to the already protracted release process of Moses to the Eels, The Sunday Telegraph can reveal the acquisition of Gutherson had been identified by the Tigers heirarchy as a solution to allowing the 22-year-old playmaker to leave Concord immediately.
It has been 33 days since Moses announced he was quitting the Tigers and that he also wanted an immediate release to commence a three-year deal with the Eels.
To date, Tigers coach Ivan Cleary has remained undecided on when, or if Moses will be released this season.
The Eels are eager for Moses to be wearing blue and gold as soon as possible, leading the Tigers to suggest to the Parramatta heirarchy, on more than one ocassion, that a player-swap would be the quickest solution for Moses to be released.
Gutherson, who can play any position in the Eels backline, was identified by the Tigers as the player they wanted.
It was a proposal the Eels management quickly rejected.
Signed by Eels coach Brad Arthur from Manly in 2016, Gutherson is considered a highly-valued member of the Parramatta squad, who at 22, continues to develop as a footballer.
After nine NRL rounds, Gutherson is already just one line-break away from equaling the total of 10, he managed to manufacture over 24 games last year.
His five tries in nine matches this season for the Eels was also a major consideration ahead of his City Origin selection this afternoon.
Despite knocking the Gutherson-Moses swap-proposal on the head, the Eels remain in regualr contact with the Tigers, who are adamant that they’ll only release the former NSW Under-20’s half when they’re ready too.
The return from injury of halfback Luke Brooks a fortnight go was originally mooted as a potental trigger for letting Moses go to the Eels, as is the potential mid-season signing of New Zealand Warriors utility Tuimoala Lolohea, who Cleary met with last week.
Although considered a long-shot, the Eels haven’t given up hope that should Lolohea join the Tigers immediately, Moses could join Parramatta ahead of their clash with the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium next Sunday.
After three consecutive victories, the Eels have restored confidence to their play and are hopeful of adding further spice to their attack against the Roosters, with fullback Bevan French pushing to return from a knee injury.
