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Clint Gutherson is now free to negotiate to rival clubs for 2026. This bombshell news forced an extra recording session for The Tip Sheet as Sixties and Forty20 react to the news and what it all means. Clint is also there for everything else on this week’s podcast!
The other Parra news looks at the Eels who earned representative honours in what was originally a fairly brief Parra news section.
In the NRL the boys review all three grand finals starting with the surprise result in the State Championship as the Devils snapped a long losing streak for QLD clubs in a narrow victory over the Jets. Cronulla rallied in the second half of the NRLW decider but just fell short against the Roosters while Penrith continue to climb to dizzying heights with their 4th straight NRL title.
What were the controversial selections and no-selections in the representative scene? What the hell has happened to the Western Australian expansion bid? The show discusses both topics before signing off.
I agree guys.
Iongi is a complete unknown.
Blaize Talagi was supposed to be the one but he didn’t work out.
We shouldn’t have entertained messing with Gutho for another 12 months.
We already have a team that, coached well, could have won games against both grand finalists.
Now we have got rid of our most consistent forward and back.
Looks like we are condemning 2025 to be a rebuild year with little else to look forward to.
A terrible start for a new coach.
It’s pretty clear JR is playing the long game here. I’d say he’s given the board some hard truths during his interview regarding our roster and they’ve given him the green light to move now. We should all consider 2025 to be one long preseason for 2026.
Brett, it’s very much a case of being realistic with expectations for 2025. But the acquisitions will give hope for a bright future. Who knows, it could kick in earlier than expected.
Agreed, I’m waiting see how we are going at the back end of next year.
It’s a tough call. I understand both parties. Gutho couldn’t train for parts of this season. But man is he tough and still performed. The new coach doesn’t want him as his fullback (but do you throw the eggs into mostly one rookie basket?) and there would be questions on how many season the King has left in him. They wouldn’t want to be rushed into contract talks. Likewise, you can’t blame the King for pushing talks, especially if there is a multi-year offer on the table.
There are two good FB’s at the Storm. I think only one will be there come 2026.
It could be an option for 2026.
The question is if Gutherson goes to dragon’s n failed to fire.
Do us eel fans say yes we are wrong n JR was right in moving the king on.
As much as I like n respect what the king has done for our club.
I also see what JR is doing. JR is looking at youth n speed. Something that Gutherson lacks.
Blame time we can’t beat time.
As for ppl saying 2025 will be a long yr I think of Michael hagan won premiership in his 1st yr as coach.
So with the experience JR has got from working under robbo n belly I really can’t see why we can’t win the comp. If we follow the game plan I can’t see us not making the finals.
Boys Iongi’s knee injury was described by Brandy Alexander on sen radio weeks ago as being minor.
Interesting this morning he was asked if he thought Iongi could be a first grade fullback going forward and he said he did not know.
I thought he might give him a glowing endorsement but he didn’t.
Maybe it’s just sour grapes as he has left the panthers.
His only first grade game this year was outstanding.
Lomax yesterday was asked on a radio interview where he wanted to play and he was emphatic and said num 4!
Gutho has been an outstanding player for the eels but his body is not able to play fullback anymore in my opinion and to pay someone $900k to be a 13 or a 14 is impossible to do to balance the books.
It’s why we bought Jack Williams to be a lock and hopefully we get Bailey to be our starting hooker.
Tony
Williams was not bought as a lock, yes he is middle/edge and could handle it….but the Lock is Hopgood!!
When do you guys (TM) actually start thinking.
It’s been talked about a lot of late that Hopgood will be used by Ryles as a middle prop roll with the game becoming so fast, hence the signing of Williams.
Hopgood could easily play on an edge as well with his passing game.
Always thinking Poppa, hope you are as well 😉
Well he was picked in the Queensland team as a lock and he’s a lock in everyone’s view that counts at Parra.
The fact that it is talked about is a demonstration of people not understanding that he is a specialist in that position. That is why he left Penrith as he was shadowing Yeo. Think harder next time Tony.
PS What made you think they picked up Williams to play lock. I think Williams is a good player, but he came of the bench at the Sharks to play Middle or Edge
You will see in time Poppo.
Hopgood and Joe will start as props.
Junior and matto replacing them off the bench.
Williams starts as lock as he has the best leg speed in the team.
Guymer on an edge with Carty or Kelma and watch out for Brazel next year.
I’m sure Hopgood will spend time in games as lock as well as he plays big minutes.
Lomax played wing for nsw and guess what he is going to play centre for the eels.
You play where the club needs you popps
Only person’s view in the club that counts is Ryles.
I don’t think either of us have talked to him so both guessing but Hopgood is the perfect modern game prop and I don’t think Williams will be a bench or an edge forward.
Poppa I think that Williams is well suited to an edge and his defence will strengthen the Eels edge. I also think that Guymer has the versatility to play edge or middle. Current edge forward Lane is better suited to middle. Matto middle. Carty bench.
Tony, I think Kelma is the interesting player in the jigsaw pieces, because he is the potentially big strike weapon.
Jack will be lock with j,main hopgood starting front row with jr or coming from the bench.
Jack is not a edge.
Tony, the pieces of where people play are not yet fully defined, and I see a positive in that – potential competition for places. Some of the names that will feature going forward are players who are as yet unproven. Others will be different types of players to those that have taken the field for Parra. It is a reshaping.
The only downside I see is Gutho could have covered, fullback, wing, centre, five eight, lock, hooker and edge back row.
Probably the best 14 for cover in the comp.
If we could have kept him on $5 – 600k I think it could have worked well.
I think Lomax who said he trained all off season last year as fullback will be the back up to Iongi.
I will be really hoping that Richard Penisini and AMS bounce back well this year from their acl injuries.
I rated RP the equal if not better than Blaze, hoping he turns into an elite centre.
Tony
At other top clubs, somehow they respect their clubs legends and somehow usually make them leave on a good note and then keep them on good books as a club ambassador, mentor, assistant, or something at the club.
At the Eels we have a shocking reputation of souring the mouths of former players even if they gave their 120% in blood sweat & loyalty. Tim Mannah touched on this. We somehow don’t have our culture right with former legend players having involvement in our team post football careers, and this is hurting us.
While I’m of the belief this might not bad a bad move holding a strong stance on guthos salary, we cannot pay him that money for another 2 seasons. Poor management by BA & mon having gutho & paulo on those massive salaries at their age, horrible mismanagement from our club particularly with paulo who’s on rumoured still close to a million and is not a starting nrl prop anymore if the last year or so is to go off. But there has to be better ways of doing this. The roosters, storm or Penrith would not have their best player in the last decade? going out like this. Clint gutherson is the greatest player at the eels for so long, I’ve got him up there with Hindmarsh, Price, I’ve even got him as more valuable to us than the once best player in the NRL in Hayne.
I’m going to go out on a lob here: if Clint gutherson leaves us before next season we risk collapsing next year being stuck near tigers again I’d say mitchel moses gets injured, in fact it near guarantee we are bottom 4 come end of season. The other issue is Mitchel moses, he isn’t an idiot. Giving mitchel the captaincy won’t make him more loyal if he thinks that’s the strategy Ryels is deploying in order to try keep him. If mitchel sees his BEST MATE in our team treated (in his eyes) unjustly, or shown not enough club loyalty in some sense. Then you can get this will dramatically increase the likelihood Mitchel will hit the open market and leave us if this club is still in the shit after next season. Clint gutherson would still be our best player next season you can nearly get with 90% certainty. We CANNOT let him leave before next season. If he leaves and Moses gets injured our team would be worst than this year. The only way we avoid this is if he left we somehow score a marquee fullback and hooker which would offset the major loss of Clint gutherson. 1000’s of us eels fans will also be devastated we could not go to a final game for gutho to see him off. It’s devastating from a fans point of view. There’s also Players at the eels who for real would honestly cry if gutho left like this. He means everything to a lot of these blokes. I’ll be Devastated to never see gutho again in a eels jersey and no send off game at commbank.
Muz, I can’t agree with all your thought. Gutherson was not rated within the top five of fullbacks this year and yet he was one of our best. Truthfully, I have mixed feelings about this and while he is still a great fullback he has tired slow legs. You might recall he offered to change position to give Blaize a run, so where was Gutherson going to put himself. Centre? Wing? Well he is too slow for those positions. Would we dump Dyl Brown and put him there – no the best place is off the bench. Yes his salary is too high for a bench player but then Paulo is off the bench.
Ryles wants a fresh start and the fact is while Parra has basically a good quality team and reserves we are not winning. Changes become necessary and sometimes we have to let players go that we love. Gutherson is that type of player and he also has to consider furthering his playing days as long as possible. If he can get three years at another club why should we deny him? I personally believe Gutherson would make a good coach and Parra should look in that direction to keep him. We need young legs with speed that’s obvious and changes to the team will be necessary. As for Moses he will do what wants to do but remember coming to Parra has given him opportunities he would never have received at the Tigers. Money and representative honours. Should he choose to leave – this his choice our younger grades are producing some quality players that just might get a break. For me the future looks better than this year and I had high expectations for 2024. Go back and watch the first three games of 2024 Parra were impressive, so impressive I thought top four is an option. 2025 will look after itself we worry about it until it comes around. No point in jumping up and down and drawing conclusions before it starts and we know more. New coach – new ideas – new players – new strategies. I am looking forward to Mr Sixties in-depth training reports that will gives us some idea of what new direction the boys head. And we hope it is better fitness and secretly, better goal kicking.
Zero, it’s only three weeks till the first of the returning players start preseason
Settle down Muz, he has been given the opportunity to look around because Parra is not prepared to extend his salary past next year.
Given he is on the 900k mark, that is understandable. The question arises then is that Guth has the opportunity of doing a deal like RCG. I’m sure Ryles does not want to lose Guth any more than he did RCG but both players deserve the opportunity of maximizing their earnings at the back end of their careers.
This becomes a decision for the players. RCG made his, fair enough, we wish him well.
First things are Guth gets his 900 of us this year regardless of what position he plays. Personally I always thought that Guth would make a great hooker by the end of his career.
Hooker for us is a real weakness, and if Guth comes through as a 9 and whether he starts or not is irrelevant. I would start with whoever the 14 is going to be, say Hands for example and bring Guth on as the hooker after say 20 minutes, it still gives the flexibility to cover the backline circumstantially and put another dimension into the side.
I then think off the background of his performances, he then negotiates another 2 year deal with Parra. That becomes his decision again and again we wish him well.
I am not sure there is any other way this can work. These deals can be enhanced further with assistant coaching options or an ESL stint after this year with a promise of something back at the club in due course as an ongoing coaching deal.
Poppa, you need to sort out your mates Mick and BEM. Michael W was 100% correct when saying the club will need to pay any difference in freight and the other 2 were wrong despite claiming to be right and going the crow how smart they are when they aren’t (how unusual). Gutho has been given the green light by the club to seek other opportunities, but still has a contract for 2025 @ around $900K. If he gets an offer from another club for say 3 years @ $600K a year from 2025, then the Eels either have to reject the 2025 component and force him to play a the Eels, or they pay the difference if they allow him to leave early. That’s how it works and the other 2 pelicans are just wrong.
Unfortunately, I can really see Gutho as having finished as an Eel as it sits right now, it will just be a matter of how much freight the Eels have to pay for 2025.
He can do like Lomax and terminate the contract thus meaning we don’t pay.
Any release or payment for next year is in the clubs hands he is contracted to us for 25 so unless it’s beneficial finicially or in a player trade then we don’t have to let him go
Lomax wanted to leave though, I assume Gutho doesn’t. He’s within his rights to claim any difference in the 2025 contract and that’s exactly what I expect he and his Manager would do. So in the case of 3 years @ $600K he’d ask for the extra $300K from the Eels for 2025 contract difference. That’s generally how these things work, look at RCG and others.
I think if you read that I suggested that Michael W was right. Mick is a child but Bem has a few brains and I think agrees in essence.
If gutho wants the full 900 he will get it he’s contracted.
RCG terminated his final year we paid the titans none of it.
We play hard ball and refuse a release two options
Gutho stays sees out the year.
2 requests a release we don’t have to pay.
The other factor is that the departure of Gutho and potentially Sivo is a cap game changer.
I dunno, Broncos, Rabbitohs, Dragons, Tigers & Knights fans might argue otherwise. The only clubs that are able to do that are the ones that gave that luxury. Most clubs do not.
Muz, how do you keep Gutho for 2025 if you want to pay him less money and if he has a richer deal for multiple years on the table from elsewhere? The reality is he’ll ask for a release to get that deal (probably the Dragons) and denying that request is what would leave the sour taste in his mouth, especially if we then can’t offer him a comparable deal past next year.
60’s you are right. But in a ideal world like all of us eels fans I wanted to see a great of our club retire with us, become a former player who stays involved with us, helps the next generation post football career. Maybe even become a coach. I love the eels. I think we are repeating the same mistakes in the culture department. We don’t keep our legends involved with the club post playing like the storm, roosters, dogs, etc all do. I understand gutho needs to look after his family. I want that too. But I want him to be shown respect and to feel welcome to come back to OUE club later on. Not feel like he has been shafted or disrespected. Look at the loyalty & culture good clubs generate by keeping former key players around. I obviously know it’s hard, no easy answers. But I just hope he feels treated properly and stays in good relationships with our club. He is one of our best ever consistent & high effort players. I just hope we can keep him in good standings with us that post playing he is welcome back to our club – he has good football smarts, he bleeds blue & gold, he has a lot to offer. I just hope for the best long term. Hopefully it can work out for him and our club long term.
Hey boys im hearing the we have signed/ in talks with Sione Finau from the Dragons. Is there any truth to this?
He is apparently signed with the Dragons until the end of 2025. It would be great if he replaced Sivo though. Lools dynamic and ripe for 1st grade.
I like Ryles a lot already. He is making some bold moves that make a lot of sense
There is a list of young players that we have either secured or are close to securing. I haven’t heard his name mentioned Depressed Eel but if a target hasn’t hit the rumours in a big way that can be a good thing as it means the negotiations have been kept tightly under wraps from all parties.
@sixties, do you reckon we’ll get Joash P?
regarding Gutho to Dragon’s rumours, we should ask for Buchanan in return. His pathway would be blocked with Gutho/Holmes going there.
Buchanan is a very promising centre, played Australia schoolboys/Flegg last year at 17. This year was centre in under 19’s origin and looked pretty decent at NSW cup level at only 18.
Poppa I agree that would work good if it works out like that. There’s rumours that gutho does want to play fullback though and this might be part of why he might be upset. St George would apparently play him there. I also do believe like you said. he would work awesomely as another hooker or can play multiple positions. Wishart does that at stork in the middle. Also zero, I agree with what you mean. If he can seal a better future for him and his family I’ll support it. And you are right new coach is trying to set us up in his eyes best way possible for the future. I agree 100%. But like you said him as a versatile player who can play anywhere would be massively valuable for us. To make it clear: I’m def not against him leaving AFTER next season. I still think we would greatly benefit from him on our roster next season. Dragons will want him for next season. This leaves us without 1 experienced first grade fullback. You are right we “don’t know” what will happen yet. But if he leaves like this, possibly before next season. Mate, it’s a shame for our captain to go like that. And unless Ryles can snag another experienced fullback we only have 1 specialist fullback again, and he is a rookie. Regardless, I’ll support our new coach. Just hope we don’t get left with 1 fullback again. And a rookie is highly likely to get injured or burned out at some point during his first year of full time nrl.
Arthur, Campbell-Gillard, Gutherson – when the current leadership decides on change they don’t muck about. Obviously I’m not privy to the discussion with Clint but, on published reports it seems they’ve decided he’s not playing full back next year. They must have seen something they didn’t like in his performance in 2024. Whatever it was, I missed it.
No, its contract time, and like Reg he’ll want one more big long term contract, the club has baulked at that and let him negotiate a few weeks earlier than usual. At this stage he’s still an Eel for 2025.
Noel, it’s my understanding that Gutho’s agent requested the contract talk.
Loyalty to players is potentially foolish
Gutho has bent over backwards and dragged out every negotiation and played in the public eye it won’t happen this time.
He’s over 30 and all his best footy has happened he has something to offer still and I hope he gets a team that can give him a chance at a premiership that won’t happen here.
Is Iongi the future? Time will tell can that gutho money create a opportunity for us to fast track the rebuild? If done right yes.
Gutho may still stay he might not get the money he thinks he’s worth only time will tell.
Alot of reports about the player driven culture and the poor culture etc Gutho has been a big part of the culture and maybe it’s time for big changes.
In Ryles we trust (for now)
Offside, I can understand both parties and their decisions. In the perfect world I want Gutho to stay in 2025 and the future sorts itself out from that point. But contracts don’t work that way.
It’s Jason Ryles team.
He can make the decisions and I’m 100% behind him no matter who he signs and who he kicks to the curb.
He knows what he’s doing and where he wants this team to go.
It’s how it has to be Spark.
Just read Stephen Crichton is on $850k and Gutho is on $950k. Enough said.
Gutho has made a fortune out of the club for doing his job. He hasn’t won us a GF.
Gutho has been the best player and captain of 15th placed team. His coach got sacked and Gutho was the onfield leader and we gave up and were declared a part time team by BA. Gutho tried his heart out but he was on close to a $Million – he wasn’t doing it for free.
Gutho said he would do whatever for the team. His next decision will show what he meant. But we cannot keep paying $900k. I’d say Paulo must be getting nervous. The gravy train is coming to its last stop.
Gutho is dragging this out publicly when it could be handled in house. All leaks from Ayoub to the
media and not from the club.
Ryles is doing what’s best for the club. Our players do what’s best for themselves. I believe the pendulum had swung too far to the players at the expense of winning and depth.
If Gutho is being a princess or throwing his toys out of the cot. Is he really what we need going forward? Him and Ayoub are not doing us any favours.
One of the real gutsy , 💯 effort players we’ve had at this club in my seven decades of support and this is how you assess him. You know your shit .
Nobody said he hasn’t tried and given
his best. Hes been arguably our best. But if you are on close to A Million Dollars and the captain – you don’t drag the club through the mud just to squeeze out more dollars.
As said in could have been handled in house but Ayoub has done it again and again and Gutho allows it.
$950k is not sustainable no matter how
much effort you put in.
People comparing Gutho to Pricey is a bridge too far for me. Pricey would have smaked him in the chops for these media driven contract negotiations. No player should be bigger than the club. It just wouldn’t happen in a strong club.
We’ve allowed emotions to rule decisions over contracts and Ayoub is a
master at stirring up the Parra faithful.
Gutho has maybe been 5th best fullback, no premierships. He’s been our best but effort isn’t enough unless we are winning.
I am a big fan of Gutho just not at contract time. He keeps doing this every time.
Pete, I think you’ve raised some fair points but taken it a step into the disrespectful zone. You’ve omitted that Gutho has been an Origin player, so his value has been recognised outside of the club. But I’ll balance that and say that we’ve paid him his value to the Eels, which might just be at the top of his previous market value. Agents use the media. I don’t like it but it’s common practice. They all have their go-to journos too.
But, outside of money, this bloke doesn’t deserve to have anything about his contributions questioned. I’ve compared his on-field toughness and competitiveness to Price, and I don’t back away from it. I’ve seen him play with injuries that would sideline virtually every other player and especially this year.
Sixties,
Just because you play Origin doesn’t guarantee $950k. I recall he played centre and was easily beaten.
I don’t think I was disrespectful. I was stating facts.
Quote:
“NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler has made a surprise admission regarding the selection of Clint Gutherson, revealing he has no plan to use the Parramatta skipper in his recall to the State of Origin arena.
The 28-year-old was one of many shock call-ups for the dead rubber clash against the Maroons, but is set to come off the bench in a utility role
on Wednesday night.
Gutherson will fill the same role as Nicho Hynes in the series opener, which saw the Sharks halfback play just 12 minutes at centre after Tom Trbojevic was taken off with a head knock.”
Origin, A lot of injuries and The game didn’t go that well in that Gutho didn’t get another run.
Fittler had no plan for Gutho. But that was perfectly fine for everyone. Now Ryles is saying the same thing and everyone getting their knickers in a twist.
Gutho is nowhere near Ray Price. I’m sorry but we’ll have agree to disagree on that. Certainly some recency bias I would say.
I have always supported
Gutho. As I said just not on contracts. I didn’t question his contributions! (that he has been very well paid to do). He was the captain and that’s what you expect.
But we just ask he carries out his contracts professionally and not dragging the club through the mud and stirring up publicity.
If you’re suggesting Gutho hasn’t given the club full value I can’t agree with you. If we had ten if him we wouldn’t have missed the finals.
I never questioned his effort. Hes been arguably over paid based on results. But hes also been our best player. BA made sure we didn’t have a backup fullback last time Gutho was negotiating publicly. That made him virtually irreplaceable and his contract reflected our lack of depth. That’s the clubs fault.
Effort is expected especially for a captain on almost $1 Million. Gutho always puts in.
He also knew he would go to market Nov 1st. So if he didn’t play the last few weeks of the season his bargaining power would not be as strong. Also, if he became captain of the 2024 wooden spoon team.
Ryles got access to all the player GPS data. They can map player output year on year. If there is a decline in output it will be there in black and white.
Past performance doesn’t guarantee future performance.
If we take the emotion out of it and realise that this might be good for both parties. For Guthos longevity and for the club depth.
I was hoping Gutho would have just knuckled down and proved everyone wrong. Ryles had told Gutho last time he wanted to wait and see.
Its Gutho that keeps pushing after he said publicly he would ‘do whatever for the team’.
Ryles has been open and honest. It’s Gutho that seems to have gone against what he’s said.
Realistically Gutho will be able to play in the halves probably during Origin and also if Dylan’s knee plays up during the year. He may we’ll play fullback 2025 for a period of time and 14.
What we cannot give is 2026 on $950k or similar or a guaranteed fullback spot.
My beef is with his contract negotiations being played out in public. Teddy has had similar questions about him. But we haven’t heard a thing from his manager.
Brett, Ray Price stands alone when comes to blood and guts. No one gets near him. Gutherson is third after daylight. I watched both play and while they both gave all they had Price is our first immortal. Should I find a problem with Gutherson – it is his captaincy. At times he made some very poor decisions. Other than that he is our best fullback since Ken Thornett.
Apart from a mighty fighting heart and nearly unbelievable physical toughness Price had positional genius. He always knew where the ball was going to be brought to the defensive line. He was there to meet it and there it stopped – there were never any post contact metres after running into Pricey.
Agree Zero58.
There’s no way Gutho is on the level of Ray Price and there’s no way Pricey would allow his agent to drag out this rubbish.
Did I bring up Ray Price ?
Better than Jaryd Hayne? I don.t think so,
Jarryd and Gutho? Totally different players, different kinds of contributors. As to talent, no question; Jarryd was one of the three or four most talented players we have had, let’s never forget his carrying us to the 2009 Grand Final (won by a Storm side which massively rorted the salary cap) virtually by individual talent alone. He also had some atitudes which hurtled him down the pecking order of our greats
Beyond question, Ken Thornett remains our greatest ever number one
Hard to disagree with some of your points you made here.
Him dragging us through the mud every contract negotiation as the captain of our club for more dollars is not good.
The point you made about the gravy train also might be spot on.
How on earth is paulo on over 900 reportedly? At his age…
I’m pro gutho and my view is I want to see him with us in 25’. The rookie is highly likely to get injured (and at this stage) we have no other fullback.
But I get a strong vibe here our clubs been a boys club. Our SNR players on massive money. AND old. It’s a recipe for disaster.
Feels like all ba’s boys club got massive, long term, unquestioned contracts & loyalty at the cost of us having depth and a 30 man roster.
We haven’t been able to (afford or land) a PROPER back up half back and fullback for numerous years. Players who can actually play the game NRL level like almost all other teams have.
I think you are right that the pendulum has swung too far in the players court. Even how players seemingly were more connected to BA than our actual football club. Loyalty to any coach before your club is a red flag.
The thing gutho is allegedly upset about is I’ve got info (might also be available?) gutho wants to keep playing fullback. He thinks he has still got it here. He probably feels disrespected. Even if we know it’s in our best interests to blood a new #1, gutho is also dealing with numerous things like not being captain next year, no longer being leader, no longer being fullback, losing his head coach who was his buddy buddy.
There’s a chance gutho actually wants out and it’s not only about money. His body language changes post Ryles signing, he seemingly cared less at post match conferences, wearing speedo’s, just his general tone, didn’t sound enthusiastic either about being a forward or bench utility. Gutho himself didn’t sound happy Imo.
The club & Ryles would see more into this than we do. They might of also come up with a conclusion gutho might be better off leaving if he isn’t fully on board with it.
Ayoub is a scum bag as well. I hope for his poor actions sake that he isn’t rewarded for leaking this information to use as leverage.
I think this issue has built at the club over the years due to the lack of a constant flow of Juniors. Some players have known their job is very safe and so can hold the club to ransom. That’s not going to happen anymore if the conveyor belt of young players is repaired, and we should see much better negotiations as a result. The fact that we have lost some Juniors this year could actually be a sign that the process is starting to work. Player managers will be getting nervous.
Gutho is a Parra champion, lion hearted, clever with the ball in hand and an outstanding defender, both under the high ball and tackling. Everyone probably acknowledges this. However, football is business and the business aim is winning. His contract is guaranteed for 2025. That’s fair enough. Beyond 2025? Not at the numbers he’s on, his age and those legs. Love to see him finish his playing days at the club but that is going to be up to him. Can he accept really reduced numbers? Football is a young man’s game and speed is paramount. In 2026 Gutho won’t have either of those. If we want a winning team then hard nosed decisions have to be made. It’s a cut throat business and sentiment doesn’t win football games.
That’s the decision in a nutshell McFersie.
This feels like déjà vu with Gutherson and his management. There’s no doubt he’s one of our all-time greats, but he repeatedly lets his agent drag things out in the media, and it’s honestly lacking in class. Meanwhile, over at a well-managed club, a former Clive Churchill Medal winner is negotiating with the Storm quietly and without all the media drama.
The downside for Gutherson and his slimy agent is that we now have the upper hand.
I wouldn’t consider an extension or any negotiations until mid-next year, but he’ll likely push for it now, and a desperate club will snap him up. With the possibility of him also losing the captaincy, I doubt he’ll even start preseason training with us. By 2025, he’ll be gone. Thanks for the memories, Gutherson, and good luck.
It’s a harsh assessment Avenger, but at the end of the day the decisions will probably be made along those lines. As I stated previously, in an ideal world, Gutho stays for 2025 and the future is sorted then. That scenario is fantasy land unfortunately. If he and his manager have a multi year deal from elsewhere, they needed that head start on Nov 1 to make it legit and to start a preseason elsewhere. That’s where this is heading.
That same club had its most recent high profile negotiation dragged through the media for 12 months, including the absurdity of him being interviewed by his own agent on 360. The current four time defending champions had their negotiations with the current NSW Origin Five eight dragged through the media for several months, his own coach publicly questioning if he was up to the big money.
So yeah, it happens everywhere.
I’m disgusted at this news. Gutho is the heart and soul of the Eels and has been for many years. He is one of if not the best fullback in the NRL and this upsets me so much as a passionate Eels fan. 1st RCG now GUTHO both in the top 5 players for the club… WTF is happening inside the corporate walls of the Parra Eels.. all about money ??? Don’t give a flying F$&k about the fans.. it’s so sad and usual BS that has made being an Eels fan, so much harder than it should be.. you don’t see Melbourne Storm or Panthers loosing their best players. They stay at their clubs because they are loved and respected and made to feel like they are valued. Even when they may be on less money than they could earn at other clubs.. they don’t leave because they have loyalty & pride in the jersey they wear.
Disgusting!!!!🤮
I thought the Brad Arthur matter was well handled bythe club. I was in a minority. Again, given what I know about the Gutherrson negotiations I think the club has acted impecably. As I understand it the Gutherson camp rrquested a discussion. They wete told that the club can not yet put a value on Clint beyond 2025. He’s thiryy, has crook knees and is on a salary rrported at 900 grand for next season. Can any of us suggest that he should have continued his salary going forward? He’s been invited to see what others are prepared to offre. Pretty fair, I would have felt.
My guess? He’ll be with us in 2025 and make a valuable contribution ;If Brad Arthur still.is coaching in England in 2026 Clint will join him on about half of what he’ll be paid by us next year.
1) Edwards
2) Teddy
3) Walsh
4) Tom Turbo
5) Pappa
6) Hammer
7) Latrell
7) Drinkwater
Is Gutho really in the top 5 fullbacks?
I think his body is done from a speed point of view.
He is an amazing effort player and Ryles is on the money using him as a lock or bench player.
Would not be surprised if he stays at the eels and fills that roll or ends up at another club doing a similar roll.
The game is a business now for clubs and players. Gutho strung out his last contract talks for a long time and got great money from the club.
Panthers and Storm don’t lose players??
Creighton, Fisher Harris, Burton, Api, Greg Inglis, Cronk.
Please??
O
I call to mind the Latrell Mitchell negotiatipns at Bondi. They offeted him 800 grand a year to play centre. He rejected that and wanted to play full back. Ultimately he came back with another request to be told that th e money had gone to someone e lse and the club had nothing to offer him.
That, absolutely, is the way to go. We hung around Blaize T alangi while his ageny jerked us around before he waltzed off to The Panthers.
Never again.
I like the cut of your gib Noel !
Peter, from a purely emotional perspective it also sickens me to see Gutho finish his career elsewhere. But can we expect Parra to stump up $900k a year beyond 2025? He probably deserves it based on what he’s done for the club, and I believe we need to keep him in 2025, but I think we all have to be realistic about the long term. There are genuine question marks over how long he has left. Over the last couple of years he’s played with injuries that would sideline nearly every other player in the NRL. No questions he’s bled for the club and unlike Turbo, has earned his money. So where is the line drawn? I don’t think this is a case of money above fans Peter, and I have had conversations with the club on that topic. It’s a case of the business side of footy, and his agent pushed for the meeting and getting the head start on November 1. And also, the Storm and the Panthers have lost some of their best. Plenty in fact.
Um, Peter, the Panthers have lost this team over the last five years
1) Iongi
2) Turuva
3) Crichton
4) Naden
5) Staines
6) Burton
7) Luai
8) JFH
9) Koriosau
10) Leniu
11) Kikau
12) Capewell
13) Hopgood
14) Terrell May,
15) Tyrone May
16) Taylan May
17) Salmon
18) Coggar
and a bunch more
That’s probably a top four team just there.
The Storm have lost many players over the last 20 years.
Strong words Peter. Question how many first class players have left the Panthers over the past two years. At least five who would be on good money. How many left the Storm over the past two years at least four on big money.
We are not winning with the team we have so changes are inevitable. The answer – make better use of our good pathway players. It is a business Peter and just like any employee they are expendable.
As Martin Crane said to Daphne about Frasier “get use to it”!!!
I have no problem with this at all. Gutherson has been great but the reality is we came third last and he is not worth 900k. Again his management is playing games in the media.
My only concern is the timing of this with the emergency AGM which may influence dopey fans to but into the proposal to remove board members to vote back people who destroyed the club and only serve their own interests.
Well noted Mannah Brow
It’s disappointing that this is being played out in the media. You can only guess that’s an Ayoub strategy, it isn’t the club’’s normal MO. Gutho turned 30 in September, will be 31 when his current contract expires, he is hovering on that age period when a footballer is ‘getting on’, I’d say stats would indicate 30-35 is the time when the top of the hill is reached and you start to descend. A fully fit and healthy Gutho would attract near top money at 31 but no one would expect his body to hold up til 34/35 given his injury record.
He likely wants another 3 years on top/near top money, the club wants fair value, we are seeing a no holds barred negotiation, the jersey relegated to a secondary issue. That’s the modern professional game unfortunately.
Fair points BDon
The ideal resolution to this issue would be for a sensible extension and Gutho to finish his career at the Eels and offered a role at the club to pursue his career in our coaching system somewhere.
By extension, I guess the best way would be to offer a longer contract on less money even for 2025 and onwards as this would assist in cap management, an area where we obviously have struggled previously.
Gutho,is a warrior and a legend for the club, if there could be a compromise as suggested, it prod be a sign that the player and management have executed a professional solution, as we see at other clubs.
The fly in the ointment seems to be his management, who has dragged out contract talks previously and played hard ball in a big way, he seems to have expected to turn up to a meeting with Ryles and lay out terms for an extension, grab a coffee and get a new contract signed. This appears to be a different admin under Ryles, no favourites , just sensible decisions. How refreshing.
B&G – I think it’s even more simple around his manager. They have a deal ready to accept but it can’t be official without having a meeting where they request permission to negotiate elsewhere. He already knew what was going to happen in terms of the next deal. He now has the capacity to receive an official offer so the next move is to request an early release. Gutho’s agent triggered this.
That makes sense in the call for the meeting and its outcome, if it’s the Dragons, Gutho has a long drive to Wollongong or moves. Big call after just building a new $1 million house on the northern beaches.
I was thinking that myself!
Surely we will not pay Gutho anything for 2025 if he request a release to sign a multi year deal elsewhere.
Not if asks for a release no.
Gutho said he will do whatever the team needed. I don’t see him going back on his word. I believe it’s Guthos agent that is dragging this out via leaks etc. Trying to hold the club over a barrel.
I applaud the club on this occasion.
I don’t see him driving to the Gong.
The EGM crew will be phoning Guthos agent to make it worse.
I love what Gutho brought to the club and I get the emotion about him going elsewhere. But I do see the pragmatic side of this with squad succession and the salary cap. Lomax and Iongi give Parra options and Ryles is definitely looking at a more dynamic backline. As noted there are some young backs coming through and hopefully Penisini and The Playwright, being young, will bounce back.
Interesting comments on Tyrell Sloan. Maybe he does need a change to find those improvements in his game?
Gutherson has been a great player and a absolute warrior for the club and even though he is an elite player at our club at current standing would not even rate in the top 30-40 players in the game. His on elite money and his output will only go down he can barely walk at times. The club is absolutely doing the right thing in regards to holding off on a contract and extension because his future market value is unknown. I believe Parramatta would love to keep him around at a reduced rate of around 4-500 but if Clint believes his worth more we can’t force him to stay. We need to make some big calls we were diabolical this year at times with gutherson in the side. Yes we are a better side when his on the park but that means nothing when you run third last. Ryles definitely looks like he has a different plan by the looks to Brad and time will tell if it is the right plan.
It’s also pretty obvious that Sivo is on the move, another valuable servant in his day. What a highlights reel.
If indeed Clint moves on we would suddenly be blessed with a significant war chest, and there are several very able forwards around who would command, I would guess $300 – $400 thousand a year. It does seem possible that we’ll have a very different set up next season; necessary for a side that finished 15th.
I go sivo goes and gutho goes we need to grab a top line back and Leo Thompson.
I’m very, very keen on Jack Hetherington. He’s a sincerely hard man, perfect build for a prop in the current game, fast enough to.play back row. I remember him giving a certain Roosters prop a very uncomfortable afternoon, which very few have done. Now that he’s over wanting to prove what a tough guy he is he’s ready to realise his potential and The Knughts are reported to be ready t o let him go. He’d be a great pick up at, I suspect, a realistic salary.
Would be worth it just to have him target Reed every time we play the Dogs.
For mine I think losing Gutho or moving him is a terrible option. The only thing he lacks is elite pace, but I think he makes up for that in all his other attributes. If the squad builds out pace in other positions, I don’t know why we can’t stick with Gutho for at least the next couple of years.
The Eels fundamentally need to improve consistency and defence, and these are two things Gutho excels at, including relative to the best FBs in the league. Sure it’d be great if he had Walsh’s speed and evasiveness, but I’m also glad he doesn’t have the awful kicks, pushed passes and turnstile defence. Also glad he doesn’t spend as much time on the sidelines as Turbo, lack the ability to pass like Teddy, have back breaking mistakes like Drinkwater or the laziness of Latrell …. And so forth. The grass is not always greener.
Further it’s not as if the Eels lack the ability to score points, so all this talk of X factor missing has always boggled my mind.
Gutho should see his career out as an Eel. Any other outcome to me, is just foolish.
That’s my sentimental view as well .its not looking good but I really hope he at least plays next year. It would be disappointing for him to go fingers crossed
Succinct comparisons Mick but unfortunately for Gutherson time has caught with him and will overtake him next year and we would have another Ron Willey on our hands. A good footballer but too slow. Let’s move on and wish him all the best.
Looks like the club is standing up and fighting back against the normally one sided Ayoub press leaks.
Obviously the club sees the EGM crew capitalising on Ayoubs tired old strategy.
Gutho could damage his legacy if he doesn’t tell Ayoub to back off.
Sydney Morning Herald
Parramatta recruit Isaiah Iongi has declared he is ready to wear the Eels No.1 jersey after the club granted captain Clint Gutherson permission to explore his options at rival clubs.
Iongi has signed a three-year deal after making his debut in Round 22 with the Panthers against Newcastle – his only NRL appearance.
The 21-year-old’s proclamation follows Parramatta’s decision to allow Gutherson to negotiate with rival clubs immediately after they told the incumbent fullback they could not confirm if they would be offering him an extension beyond his current deal which ends next year.
Several clubs are reportedly interested in securing the 30-year-old’s services including the Dragons who are leading contenders to land his signature.
Regarded as one of the most reliable fullbacks in the game, Gutherson is on close to $1 million in 2025 with his next deal likely to be his last big earner.
The Eels have touted a positional switch for the former Blues representative with the club expected to hand Iongi the No.1 jersey regardless of whether Gutherson is at the club next season.
Iongi said he was ready to be Parramatta’s first choice fullback.
“Yeah, I feel like I am,” Iongi told The Sydney Morning Herald.
“Obviously that’s the goal. You’ve got to work for it. I’ll get a good pre-season under my belt at Parra, that will help me build the confidence with them. We’ll get that team bonding on.
“There is always going to be challenges and expectations anywhere. At Panthers there was and anywhere else, too. It’s all part of the game, it’s all about how you handle it.”
Iongi was behind Blues fullback Dylan Edwards at Penrith who recently usurped Kangaroos captain James Tedesco in the Australian side.
The flyer said some positive conversations with incoming Eels coach Jason Ryles convinced him to join the club.
“I’m looking forward to working with him,” Iongi said.
“Like every other club, you have to work for the spot and put in your all to get that opportunity for yourself. That’s what he said to me.
Sydney Morning Herald
Pete do you think it might be a strategy from the eels to get a good deal on gutho rather than be held ransom by him and his fraud manager who always drag us through the mud leveraging media to extract maximum coin? If the dragons think eels aren’t overly interesting, st George isn’t stupid with Flanno. They will offer less than gutho expects (you would think).
It’s not like flanno is going to offer him 900k for 3 years if he sees the eels are not even seemingly competing for him. They also offered RCG less than he expected. St George signature as a leverage tool won’t work if St George think there’s no competition for his signature, they’ll likely offer him peanuts first you would suspect (compared to 950k or whatever)
Good points Muz.
The ball is in the clubs court for once. Ayoub must be spewing. He’ll go harder. Probably something in the paper tomorrow about how unfairly Gutho has been treated sob sob on $950k…
The Dragons won’t be offering him as much as he wants. But he’s seeking to destabilise so the club backs down and pays some freight.
The club needs to dig in and ride out the
negative publicity. It will be hard with an
EGM coming up and Ayoub in full swing.
Gutho has shown he doesn’t care when chasing money. 2021 4 weeks out from finals he was at it again. The club could collapse as long as he gets his money.
Really despise this publicity he’s generating via his agent.
I think the club should say we’ve got a bench spot for you.
I don’t see him driving to the Gong it’s too far from Nth beaches. He would be pi$$Ed off every minute of that drive.
If we want to change the culture. There’s an opportunity ahead.
St George will probly offer him 600k and 2 years lol. I think they would only offer RCG 2 years as well. Flanno isn’t a fool. Gutho won’t want to go to Wollongong he has young kids and it’s 4 he’s drive down there at peak hour. There will be offers for Clint, but not 900k, not more than 2 years. The club should also no longer deal with scummy ayoub moving forward. Much like Issas moses once mitchel leaves us. These clowns always are grubs who would do anything to leverage an extra $. My issue is too wjy gutho uses him. It’s not a good look, I would sack my manager doing this to my supposedly beloved club
Yeah Muz,
Last time 2021 just before finals under BA the club caved in to Ayoubs tactics. Gutho got a monster $$ 4 year deal with ratchet clauses. Paulo also..
It’s funny now the club looks to shore up its future and so many fans are saying Gutho is hard done by or being disrespected. But he’s allowed to disrespect the club? And almost hold the club to ransom with the media.
These leaks from his management are only
designed to put pressure on
the club. It should have been nipped in the bud last time.
Players are loved when they wear the jersey but if they disrespect the jersey they deserve to be called out.
If Players are unhappy….there’s the door!
Gutho said he will do whatever for the team. But what he said and what he’s doing via his management seems to suggest otherwise.
I support Parra!
I applaud Ryles!
Muz, Gutho’s agent initiated this and leaked it. Tactically it’s on them. I think that the Eels stance on his contract was always going to be the commonsense stance, even though he would still, in my opinion, be valuable to the club in 2025.
Who are these ‘sources’ who have said Clint is in high demand? My gurss – his agent. I believe Clint will serve out his contract with us then retire or move on.
Noel he will be only in high demand for 500-600k max for 2 years probably lol.
Zac Lomax hates St George and wanted out for less money and is good matés apparently with gutho they talk. Gutho won’t want to go there. This would be another scum bag move from Ayoub but it will likely backfire in guthos face. Flanno isn’t a fool, he won’t sign gutho on 800-900k, and it sure won’t be more than 2 years. Even RCG didn’t get a creamy deal from dragons like he expected. Ayoub is filth and it’s sad gutho let’s him do this every contract negotiation.
Noel, I’d be confident that the Dragons have an offer. Not so sure about beyond them.
Today, there was a report on the contract situation with the Dragons Ben Hunt who is directly quoted as saying “We had the discussion earlier in the year, and it went away……they want to see how I am playing next year”. Sound familiar? And also, Ben was disrespected and shamed by the Dragons by having his salary thrown back in his face. My loyalty is absolutely to the Parra club. I support Ryles as the new coach, and I want Gutho to stay as a utility if it can be sorted out, but gee the Dragons would not be on my list of clubs to join for a few reasons. Remember that they get a rails run in the News Corp media outlets with the Fox and Tele journos, after their coach was on the Fox payroll prior to 2024.
Gutho won’t care Graz, he’ll get paid regardless, this will be Gutho’s final contract, if he can snag a two or three contract then good luck to him and his family.
Personally, my hunch is the Dragons will get cold feet as is their form and pull out.
We’ll see Gutho with the Eels in 2025
Graz, I haven’t been a fan of Flanagan but they have improved. Valentine Holmes is a good get for them too.
They also have Cook next season, they may consider releasing Liddle.
I’ve always thought he’s underated.
I’d be happy to have him in a player swap, I think he’d work well with Hands and he’d bring some spark coming off the bench.
I agree with the comments abt Guth being tough/ playing for the team and giving his all. Unfortunately his body has succumbed to injuries at times now and he’s not getting younger.
He won’t be worth the reported $$ next yr to me if he’s not playing fullback and off the bench. I also feel similarly abt Paulo tbh if he’s on the bench but they both have contracts.
Ryles / Club seem to be making strong choices and I have no issue with what’s been reported. Guth can be with us post 25 if contracts are sorted or he may get a better offer and tbh so be it.
The club comes first and this is paramount- not mangers and players.
I just hope the club turns a corner on managers and junior recruitment.
Milo I endorse your point about club first. If he wants to walk away from his 2025 deal and chase a longer contract, that is Gutho’s choice.
I accept that it is high risk relying on an inexperienced player but we still have options at FB.
This is a reset and we should be looking at a medium term plan not a complete rebuild. Something I have heard a few times recently is club first, team second and player third.
I endorse this view. I was disappointed to lose BA but I am behind JR. No doubt he is following his instincts.
John apparently Zac Lomax can play fullback ok too, and with better outside backs coming for next season it may reduce the work load on the fullback a bit. Iongi is a rookie but if Lomax can also fill in there possibly. Interesting to see if Blake Wilson and Joash papali’i end up signing too. Both are very talented young backs with huge long term upside potential
There’s most definitely still a place for Gutho and I’d keep him for 2025. But it looks like he and his manager will be chasing his best option. And that’s reality from Gutho’s perspective and the club has to also be realistic about his next contract. It’s not ideal. It touches on the emotional aspect of a legend. But it’s understandable.
Thanks for the podcast gents.
I thought your analysis of the situation was realistic.
It’s like a both party no fault insurance claim, there’s just no one to blame.
Some have said not to expect much in 2025, I’m not one of them, I expect this team to rocket up the ladder and cause serious damage.
I agree with the notion that our team is resetting rather than rebuilding. With Luai leaving the Panthers, you could argue we have the best halves combination in the comp.
We added Lomax and Iongi with more outside backs to come. Our forwards can more than hold their own, Matterson, Hopgood, Cartwright, Paulo, Williams, Tuilagi is coming along nicely, Joe O was one of our best last season, young Moretti and Charlie will be benifit from the Offseason.
Wr are a decent rake and an express wing man away from being a top 4 side.
Our halves have been wasted, how many half breaks does D bags make without support? He’ll finally have Lomax and a fullback with pace that can supporting him.
And Moses kicking game, he literally had no targets to kick to, that will change. Moses looked every bit a Nathan Cleary class halfback with a backline to work with in Origin.
I remember a young Gutho taking a dummy half run, dummy and run the length of the field, he’s not that Gutho now, I’m also looking forward to a fullback that can put us on the front foot from kick returns.
Gutho has still has plenty to offer, he would be valuable to a rising club needing experience and stability.
I honestly believe Ryles is going for it, he wants to have a crack a title starting next season and rightfully so. That’s what teams like Melbourne do, they put themselves in a position to win every year, none of that “building bullshit. They structure their team around their core group of elite players and fill the holes as they go. If we can’t be pushing a finals appearance with the best halves in the game then that will do me.
Lomax and Williams will go a long way to fixing our defence issues.
I’m expecting a rusty start and strong finish in 2025.
After all that dribble, it does sadden me greatly to see a club great not get his deserved Ray Price/Mick Cronin fairytale exit. Gutho will forever be a club great.
Well said Joseph. And your notes about Dylan are what we’ve long banged on about. Half breaks or standing in tackles with little to no support around him. The players must push up.
Agree that Joseph has nailed it. Yes, ‘rebuilding’ is used by a club looking for an excuse before the season starts, “just in case”. I believe that is not the Jason Ryles way, and he has not really experienced it at clubs he has been at. I’m expecting (not just hoping) to play finals in 2025.
Gents the elephant in the room is the club crippling contracts of old, stale, underperforming players. How is paulo on 950k? How is sivo still with us + on big coin? How is gutho still on 900k next year past 30 and can hardly run? How did Ba let these blokes hold our club ransom for massive contracts at their age at the expense of us not being able to fill a 30 man roster? have no back up fullback, no back up half back? Then a rookie coach fixed that in 2 months?
I love gutho. But it only ever worked out in his favour is having no back up fullback, and him and his slimy manager dragging our club through the media for $ leaking convos, even right BEFORE finals in 21’. Our CAPTAIN.
Initially I was upset about Gutho potentially leaving, I still am emotionally.
But about time our club stood up for themselves. Our old roster resembles a boys club, every player seemingly had the leverage over our club, and not the other way around.
We lost a lot of our best younger players (who are still great at other clubs) in exchange for keeping older players who are now bordering on retirement territory only 2 years later, which left us fighting off a dreaded wooden spoon.
Ray price would have beaten up Gutho if he was pulling media leaked contract negotiation tactics to leverage a few dollars from us before the finals – blaming Ayoub isn’t a pass… he didn’t sack him and it’s happening again.
This roster under ba in the late years reeks a boys club to me. And although I don’t want gutho going yet. He is a club legend.
If this strong stance sets a new tone for our club and its direction?
Then I’ve changed my mind. And I fully support them giving him permission to leave early.
We haven’t seen hard stances and the club coming from a strong position in negotiations for a VERY long time. We always come across desperate. Keeping dead wood, and moving at turtle-speed slow pace.
If this hard stance helps us change that? If we finally start moving fast and making tough decisions?
Then fully support coach Ryles. Club first. Even if this hurts my heart to see gutho go.
Hey Muz, thankfully the club is righting the ship now.
We don’t know if Ryles is the answer, time will tell however he does come with no emotional attachments to the players. He can make the tough decisions BA couldn’t.
In fairness to BA, he did spend several years with most of the players, together they went through some dark times. He wouldn’t be human if his loyalty and bonding with players blinded his decision making. In the end, his loyalty bit him and the club squarely in the backside. We should consider that his loyalty to his players also brought the club out of a hole I thought we could never climb out of.
It’s time to move on, we can’t keep dwelling on the sins of the past.
I see that the media is still trying to create outrage with the manager calling in favours.
Brent Read is far and away the best jurno out there. Fair and sensible.
The clubs being nice to him giving him opportunities to speak to other clubs early if he wants to. They could be ass holes and not gave him permission, he obviously wanted it due to asking for early meeting.
Stupid how his manager and the journalists drumming up the victim narrative.
This is the same media who publishes reports several times per year on wether or not gutho has enough speed or X factor to lead the eels as their fullback.
It’s so stupid. If we signed gutho another 2 years – Fox would be reporting when we lose games over next 2 years that we lack speed and X factor and questioning if Clint gutherson was still the man for the job.
It’s so stupid. Fox will be crickets next year when our rookie Iongi is probably a more complete fullback in his first full season for parra than Walsh is for the broncos and on something like a million dollars. Lol
I just watched the super league GF and AGAIN lamented just how we lost Bevan French.
We had both him and Jai Field at the club! Just think about that!
Yes, I know, the game has changed from a forward dominated power game when they were here but…. How would we go having French at 5/8 and Field at fullback now.
It’s all gone now, French will never come back, not would Field.
Whilst they are good players, it’s the raw speed that they possess that sets them apart.
Spark our clubs old guard didn’t ever value speed enough or give some players enough time Imo. French is faster and better than many backs we’ve had in recent years that get regular FG time. Good on him tho for succeeding over in England, the man’s doing fantastic for himself.
Bevan is also playing one or six in England. Brad used him mainly on the wing, sometimes in the centres where his lack of size counted against him. He was reportedly eager to get a run at six but Brad wouldn’t consider that.
We’re not going to turn this into a “Bash Brad Arthur” area but it’s true that he was very conservative when it came to trying blokes in different roles. In the current roster for examplr, Doorey strikes me more as a centre than second row.
Spark he wasn’t really ready for first grade with us at his size I should have added. But maybe he just needed more time.
Hey Spark, I often wonder if the club let Bevan French go to early, he may have worked out.
It’s hard to forget one of his last games for us when he was credited with 2 running metres in the entire game. He was gone soon after. Most fans at the time thought he was too small for the NRL and no one was upset to see him go.
He could score a try but offered nothing returning the ball and was often rag dolled into touch. His confidence was shot towards the end and probably why he never returned to the NRL.
I think Neecastle tried to lure him back a few seasons ago but no other NRL club has been Interested.
I’m glad he’s made a career for himself in England.
Perhaps. But as I said I reckon the game was just completely different back then. He’s a hell of a player and will go down as a great at Wigan.
Apparently he’s a bloody good fella too.
I’m happy for him, he seems he has well and truly found his place.
To me it again shows that if you recruit players who have raw speed then you can turn them into anything.
I’m pretty sure Ryles is all over this.
We need Sione Finau from the Drags. He is going to be a star.
Yes. Hopefully talks are progressing
Like clock work Ayoub and his mates put out another anti Parra article saying how hard done by a $900k player has been treated.
All this pressure is designed to put pressure on the club so they end up paying freight to Dragons to make up the shortfall. $300-$400k freight.
Dragons have come out saying they are interested in JAC.
At this point the club needs to stand firm and say if you want to leave.. Leave! There’s the door.
Dragging the club through the mud is bringing the club into disrepute via his grubby media tactics.
It needs to be called out as a greedy cash grab.
Stay strong Parra don’t back down.
“I’ll do whatever for the team” Nobody reports this obvious lie!
Gutho is destroying his own legacy with this manager. His position is untenable!
No way will dragons touch gutho at 800k + with no eels freight included. Ryles won’t do it he isn’t stupid. Gutho and ayoud dreaming. The dragons are openly interested in the fox, it’s probably only ayoub hyping up how Dragons s want him to the media. I can’t see anywhere publicly dragons saying they want him. We probably paid overs for gutho last time too because he dragged us through the media just before the semis! Club probably just signed on whatever to shut him up. I’m a fan of I’m as our player. But it’s disgraceful allowing media leaks & using a scum bag manager to gain leverage as a “club captain.”
I’d love to see Gutho come out and refute these articles and say the club has done everything for me. They’ve allowed me to become the footballer I am. They gave me a chance to play my preferred position when he couldn’t do it at Manly…They have been open and honest and allowed me early permission to seek a better deal….
Instead we get fed the same old tripe as 2021.
Just hope the club doesn’t cave in.
The boys club era of loyalty to old players taking big bucks looks like it is done. You would think they will not cave.
This article ‘smells’ of a journo doing the bidding of a certain manager, and a certain coach. It is typically tabloid.
Ayoub through his media contacts are attempting to create outrage but unlike 2021, he doesn’t have the leverage this time around. Like the very wise man George Castanza once said “I have no hand”
The club is under zero pressure to offer Gutho a contract beyond 2025.
Is Gutho really going to travel from the Peninsula to Wollongong to train several times a week? Is he going to uproot his family at the backend of his career to live closer? The more I think about it, the more I think fat chance.
Gutho’s best option is to remain at the Eels in 2025. If he really wants to continue beyond 2025, then he needs to preserve his body by playing 30 minute stints off the bench.
Gutho believes he can play for several more seasons playing 80 minutes, that’s how highly competitive athletes are wired, he’s not listening to his body, someone in his close circle needs to get in his ear.
I hope he stays with us, having Gutho somewhere in the 17 can only make us a better team both on and off the field.
Yeah Jo he lives up around colloroy on the N beaches. It’s like a 4 hour drive to Wollongong in peak hour traffic sometimes (lol)
He just built a house, has very young child, dogs, a family.
Plus St George if you watch them (whenever they win games) Sloane hands are all over it in attack via line breaks or scoring himself, if they take him out and put gutho in as permanent fullback there goes all their attack and blistering speed for line breaking ability in broken play. Flanno would want gutho at a lower cost and seen as a mentor to Sloan because gutho has probably been one of the best defensive fullbacks over last few years. They would want him to coach Sloan.
However, flanno is not silly. He will likely not offer gutho 800-900k for 2 or more seasons. Gutho is highly likely to suffer a severe season ending injury at any point during the year, the last few seasons he looks to be hobbling and in pain every single game.
This media leveraging stooge Ayoub might only negatively impact guthos image and career moving forward if he can’t snag him a big fat deal (which is highly unlikely)
Hey Muz, some good points there although Gutho is no more likely to suffer a serious injury than most other players.
He goes hard, probably to hard for his own good at times but his body is not coping like it once was.
He was playing with three broken ribs late in the season, who the hell does that? I torn a rib cartilage playing in my younger years, I couldn’t fart let alone play footy.
I’m confident Gutho will be with us next season and be a valuable part of the team regardless of how many minutes or where he plays.
He’s mastered the fullback role but if anyone can master a new role, it’s Gutho. And who knows, preserving his body playing limited minutes as a utility could see play beyond 2026.
I thought Kurt Mann was enormous for the dogs coming off the bench, they really missed him when he got injured. I can see Gutho playing a similar roll for the Eels. Gutho has lost speed but he’s fast enough and big enough to make an impact with fresh legs as a utility. He’s defensive sound with a good passing game. Most importantly, he has a good football brain.
Gutho is still a very, very good footballer.
I would argue with anyone who thinks our squad is better without Gutho.
The best thing Gutho could do is take his 900k to play as a utility next season, prove his worth in his new role which I’m sure he will, then negotiate a reasonable contract to play beyond next season.
The other scenario that could play out is injury to our new fullback or he might not be ready for the rigours of NRL in his first season. Gutho could end up playing in the fullback role for some of the season if not most of the season.
Yeah I know we could play Russell or Lomax at fullback but neither are better options than Gutho.
Expecting Iongi to be an instant success is a big risk for Ryles and the team. If I’m Ryles, I’d be more comfortable knowing I have a proven fullback if plans turn to crap as they so often do.
Completly agree.
No-one is going to pay Clint what we will for next year. The key to his situation is that we will be happy to retain him for next year at rather more than his market value partly as a gesture to his past contribution. Obviously, if he chose to move on he’d be abandoning that advantage.
Two years at maybe $550,000 a year or us for a year at, what $900,000 then see what’s doing. No-brainer.
He’ll be with us, and very valuable he’ll be too. As to 2026, there’s an awful lot of water to go under the bridge.
Hey gents, not quite the context of your discussion but i ve just got this feeling Iongi will prove up. He’s experienced the Penrith system, had 59 games in NSW Cup, and was NSW Cup fullback of the year. He was also rated the best fullback in Qld for U/19. He turned 21 in June, he’s not a teenage prodigy. There’s pedigree there and a degree of road testing. Time on the park, good people around him, confidence…I’m backing him.
Hi Jo good points I just mean with gutho his age and miles on the legs. Players his age 30 and beyond tend to get injuries or hurt more often usually. Hence look at moses or Broncos Reynolds always hurt several times during seasons now as getting later into careers. We’ve probably been lucky with gutho this far. The blokes been ultra reliable and rarely injured enough to stop playing. I agree with you gutho is still a player who will make our team better next season, I personally hope he gets no good offers. Rookie iongi will either get injured or lose confidence during season at some point, Clint is still miles ahead of the others in filling in at FB. Russel & Lomax cannot fill in back there & provide sufficient coverage in all aspects of the game like the king.
Also Noel I hope you are right.. hopefully he stays with us, doesn’t get any crazy offers for next year. Because even tho Jason Ryles thinks Iongi is the future, he is a rookie and our team has historically poor defence that lets through endless line breaks. Unlike at Penrith, iongi will be getting blasted with big men running through our team and straight at him to try run over him to screw tries. At Parra if this years anything to go by, playing last line of defence at parra would be 200x harder than if he was fullback at Penrith. I’m optimistic if everyone’s healthy we can improve. But our teams win record without gutho there is severely poor. Our team having 1 off season under Jason’s Ryles and 1 rookie fullback will not be enough to reverse that entirely. So for our teams sale hopefully gutho is there. He is still our best player behind moses (imo). I obviously don’t want to sign him on another big $$ contract. But having him in our ranks next year would definitely be better than him leaving. But I’m obviously annoyed he is letting his manger drag us thru the mud. For that, I dislike what he is up to.. And St George wont offer him 900k that’s for sure.