Why the Parramatta Eels’ treatment of captain Clint Gutherson is disrespectful and outrageous
Clint Gutherson is a Parramatta club legend that is being treated like some D-grade wannabe. He isn’t just a player – he’s a leader and inspiration who deserves better than a club that’s slowly eroding his status, writes DEAN RITCHIE.
I don’t think it’s possible for Parramatta to be any more disrespectful to Clint Gutherson.
Here is a club legend being treated like some D-grade wannabe. The public humiliation of Gutherson by Parramatta is outrageous.
I’m not sure what kind of a coach Jason Ryles wants to be but he might need to convey more regard and deference to senior players.
Gutherson is looking at copping four knockout blows – told he can look for a new club, told it’s unlikely he will be re-signed, told he won’t be playing his favoured fullback and probably told he is no longer captain.
This for a player who has played more than 200 NRL games for Parramatta and been the club’s heart and soul for nearly a decade.
If Parramatta doesn’t want Gutherson then tell him rather than slowly eroding his status at the club. He deserves so much better. This bloke isn’t just a player – he’s a leader and inspiration.
Should he secure a new deal at a rival club, Gutherson should request an immediate release for 2025. Why remain at a club that treats him with such disdain?
Even if Gutherson doesn’t find a new club, does he really want to go back to Parramatta? How could he walk through the gates at training ready to give his all for a club that’s treated him so shabbily?
Gerard
Ryles wants to re-work his roster like all new coaches but some players deserve more than just being told, essentially, to bugger off.
Father Time catches up with all players and maybe Gutherson doesn’t possess the speed to remain at fullback.
But pushing him into some manufactured, utility position is a low blow for a player Parramatta fans adore for his perseverance, courage and reliability.
Just last week, after a season of disappointment, Gutherson still claimed three individual awards at Parramatta’s presentation night – members’ player of the year, players’ player and coaches’ award.
The players’ player award shows how highly Gutherson is held within the playing roster.
Blind Freddy can see Parramatta want Gutherson out of the club. I know rugby league is cutthroat but surely there are more compassionate and sympathetic methods to avoid public humiliation for a club champion.
I couldn’t imagine this happening at the Sydney Roosters or Melbourne Storm? Look how the Roosters carefully managed Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Luke Keary out of the club. It’s called respect.
Gutherson, officially off-contract after next season, is only 30 and would be a wonderful fit at St George Illawarra. Coach Shane Flanagan will only need to show Gutherson some love to get his man.
When asked about Gutherson just last year, Broncos superstar Reece Walsh said: “I try to study (and) watch ‘Gutho’ as much as I can. He’s one of the best defensive fullbacks in the comp.
“If you watch him, he’s always on his bike, working his butt for the team and he’s saving more tries than some teams are scoring. He’s someone that I try to watch as much as I can.”
And last month, Phil Gould said he would be “shocked” if Gutherson left Parramatta.
“He’s a leader, he’s competitive – I can’t understand why Parramatta wouldn’t want him,” Gould said.
“If I was going to Parramatta as a new coach, he’d be the first bloke I’d sit down and talk to, to find out what’s happening there, what’s going on, and where they need to go. It would be hard to imagine Parramatta without him.”
Even Parramatta’s website offers rare accolades to Gutherson.
It reads: “Known for his competitiveness and his unparalleled effort and desire, there is a strong correlation to why Gutherson is a Parramatta Eels favourite and fondly known as ‘The King’ by fans.”
It appears the King is dead at Parramatta, long live the King.
All players were lightweight when compared to the big boppers today. Not many poly players played then either.1st hit up from the kick off: Steve Ella. Playing weight was about 75kg!
Well punting the perennial choker Pearce won them 2 x premierships. So it turned out to be a masterstroke.Nothing like this would ever happen at the Roosters! Isn’t that right, Mitchell Pearce?
Ryles is a complete unknown whereas RS had a poor record other than one premiership with a stacked Roosters side and two g/f losses or 33% record in g/f's.I’ve got a good feeling about Ryles... though I also had the same feeling about Ricky Stuart.
I suggest it was a token job to keep all Kevvie mates from unleashing hell on the joint.Well this is odd.
Yeah but just as odd is Kevvie not telling them to GGFd.I suggest it was a token job to keep all Kevvie mates from unleashing hell on the joint.
Hasnt stopped a few though
That may be true but i don't think MON should get off lightly when it comes to the roster management we have had since 2022.What if MON was trying to fill the roster and the person with the final say refused to accept who he was being offered?
It was made clear to me that while BA didn't get EVERY player he wanted (due to salary cap, etc.) he NEVER got given a player he didn't want.
I knew a stripper called Ephifany onceBarlow NSW Cup unless he has an ephifany.
Yeah game has changed a lot…I think Pricey was about 85kg when he played (and one of the best), Bradley Clyde was a beast of a back rower but ‘only’ 95kg, Liam Martin is about 103kg.All players were lightweight when compared to the big boppers today. Not many poly players played then either.
Yep. The guy who said he would change position to create room for an ‘X factor’ is given the time and freedom and pursue the best opportunity he can find at the back end of his career and we’re pricks for letting him do it??Who gives a f**k what that T Rex looking merkin Richie thinks.
All of that might be true (I have no inside knowledge) but we also had an NRLW team that made a grand final and that roster subsequently fell apart and got the spoon the next year. I doubt BA had anything to do with that roster.What if MON was trying to fill the roster and the person with the final say refused to accept who he was being offered?
It was made clear to me that while BA didn't get EVERY player he wanted (due to salary cap, etc.) he NEVER got given a player he didn't want.
Why the Parramatta Eels’ treatment of captain Clint Gutherson is disrespectful and outrageous
Clint Gutherson is a Parramatta club legend that is being treated like some D-grade wannabe. He isn’t just a player – he’s a leader and inspiration who deserves better than a club that’s slowly eroding his status, writes DEAN RITCHIE.
I don’t think it’s possible for Parramatta to be any more disrespectful to Clint Gutherson.
Here is a club legend being treated like some D-grade wannabe. The public humiliation of Gutherson by Parramatta is outrageous.
I’m not sure what kind of a coach Jason Ryles wants to be but he might need to convey more regard and deference to senior players.
Gutherson is looking at copping four knockout blows – told he can look for a new club, told it’s unlikely he will be re-signed, told he won’t be playing his favoured fullback and probably told he is no longer captain.
This for a player who has played more than 200 NRL games for Parramatta and been the club’s heart and soul for nearly a decade.
If Parramatta doesn’t want Gutherson then tell him rather than slowly eroding his status at the club. He deserves so much better. This bloke isn’t just a player – he’s a leader and inspiration.
Should he secure a new deal at a rival club, Gutherson should request an immediate release for 2025. Why remain at a club that treats him with such disdain?
Even if Gutherson doesn’t find a new club, does he really want to go back to Parramatta? How could he walk through the gates at training ready to give his all for a club that’s treated him so shabbily?
Gerard
Ryles wants to re-work his roster like all new coaches but some players deserve more than just being told, essentially, to bugger off.
Father Time catches up with all players and maybe Gutherson doesn’t possess the speed to remain at fullback.
But pushing him into some manufactured, utility position is a low blow for a player Parramatta fans adore for his perseverance, courage and reliability.
Just last week, after a season of disappointment, Gutherson still claimed three individual awards at Parramatta’s presentation night – members’ player of the year, players’ player and coaches’ award.
The players’ player award shows how highly Gutherson is held within the playing roster.
Blind Freddy can see Parramatta want Gutherson out of the club. I know rugby league is cutthroat but surely there are more compassionate and sympathetic methods to avoid public humiliation for a club champion.
I couldn’t imagine this happening at the Sydney Roosters or Melbourne Storm? Look how the Roosters carefully managed Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Luke Keary out of the club. It’s called respect.
Gutherson, officially off-contract after next season, is only 30 and would be a wonderful fit at St George Illawarra. Coach Shane Flanagan will only need to show Gutherson some love to get his man.
When asked about Gutherson just last year, Broncos superstar Reece Walsh said: “I try to study (and) watch ‘Gutho’ as much as I can. He’s one of the best defensive fullbacks in the comp.
“If you watch him, he’s always on his bike, working his butt for the team and he’s saving more tries than some teams are scoring. He’s someone that I try to watch as much as I can.”
And last month, Phil Gould said he would be “shocked” if Gutherson left Parramatta.
“He’s a leader, he’s competitive – I can’t understand why Parramatta wouldn’t want him,” Gould said.
“If I was going to Parramatta as a new coach, he’d be the first bloke I’d sit down and talk to, to find out what’s happening there, what’s going on, and where they need to go. It would be hard to imagine Parramatta without him.”
Even Parramatta’s website offers rare accolades to Gutherson.
It reads: “Known for his competitiveness and his unparalleled effort and desire, there is a strong correlation to why Gutherson is a Parramatta Eels favourite and fondly known as ‘The King’ by fans.”
It appears the King is dead at Parramatta, long live the King.
Just when you think Crawley or Hooper is the dumbest journalist out there, Bulldog Ritchie says “hold my beer”. What is the standard currently, Frilingos and Clarkson would be horrified with this lot .geez, reading that you'd think we just sacked Gutho on the spot
He’s a backup. He started the year behind May and Tago. And his defence is poor.So you reckon 250k isn’t cheap for a First Grader now? ‘I doubt he was cheap’ were your words.
"It started poorly for Parramatta..."
Two wins from three against eventual top eight teams, including the premiers. It went downhill after we lost Moses. That's when merkins decided it was too hard.
Just when you think Crawley or Hooper is the dumbest journalist out there, Bulldog Ritchie says “hold my beer”. What is the standard currently, Frilingos and Clarkson would be horrified with this lot .