Parramatta captain Clint Gutherson has been linked with a sensational switch to the St George-Illawarra Dragons in the wake of comments from new Eels coach Jason Ryles that have been labelled “disrespectful” by Fox League reporter James Hooper. The new Eels coach spoke to media on Tuesday for the first time since taking over the top job and made the shock admission that he’s planning to use Gutherson as a lock, hooker or possibly even a utility in 2025.
Ryles is overseeing a massive Eels shake-up with some 11 players departing the NRL club including former representative prop, Reagan Campbell-Gillard. The Eels have made a number of key signings including Dragons and State of Origin Zac Lomax and young gun fullback Isaiah Iongi, who will join from the Panthers on a three-year deal from next season.
But while the new Parramatta coach insists Gutherson is very much still part of his plans, Hooper says asking the veteran No.1 to move out of fullback is a slap in the face for the club captain. The 30-year-old had a number of injuries in 2024 and played the final few games of the season with broken ribs to emphasise his toughness. But Hooper says the way Ryles has spoken out the Eels captain featuring in a new role next season is a way of effectively pushing him out of the club.
“I found it disrespectful and confusing the way Parramatta have addressed that issue,” Hooper said on NRL 360. “Clint Gutherson is their captain. He won the players’ player award. Won the coaches award… I think that Gutho may be gone too because I don’t see how a player at thirty years of age, who has spent his entire career as a fullback, would have any appetite whatsoever to transition to a No. 13 or a No. 9.
“I think Parramatta are trying to force him to make the decision. So rather than them tapping him on the shoulder, like what they did with RCG (Reagan Campbell-Gillard) I think they’re saying, ‘We love you, we’ve still got a spot for you, we just want you to play at thirteen and a little bit at hooker. Or maybe off the bench’. You can’t have a $900,000 bench player. You just can’t.”
Eels crush Tigers in high-scoring spoon bowlScroll back up to restore default view.
Dragons linked with move for Eels captain Clint Gutherson
It sets the scene for an intriguing situation at the Eels and Hooper reckons Shane Flanagan’s Dragons are in the box seat to pounce on Gutherson – who is contracted until the end of 2025 but will become a free agent on November 1. The Fox League reporter claims it could be in the interests of both clubs to come to an agreement that would see the Eels release Gutherson early so he could join the Dragons next season.
Such a move would be another smart piece of business for Flanagan, who has already signed Valentine Holmes and Damien Cook for next season. Fullback has been a problem area for the Dragons this season, and there is a sense the talented but inconsistent Tyrell Sloan could benefit from learning off an experienced No.1 such as Gutherson.
Pictured left to right is Dragons coach Shane Flanagan and Eels captain Clint Gutherson.
Shane Flanagan’s Dragons have been touted as a possible destination for Eels captain Clint Gutherson. Pic: Getty
The new Eels coach has already expressed his excitement about linking up with Lomax and livewire Panthers rookie Iongi, who comes with massive raps and is tipped to take Gutherson’s position at fullback next season. “We’ve got a few spots to fill, but Isaiah and Zac are really exciting inclusions for us,” Ryles said this week.
“They’ll speed us up a little bit around the field. And then also Zac adds a little bit of that X-factor as well. “I’m really excited to get to work with him and obviously Mitchell Moses and Dylan Brown and those guys speak for themselves. It’s an exciting challenge and one I’m looking forward to.”
Ryles has already shown he’s not afraid to make big calls and let veteran stars go after explaining the reasons behind the club’s decision to release Campbell-Gillard. “I think that was just an opportunity for both parties,” Ryles said. “We came to an agreement there where it was best for both of us. I couldn’t guarantee what the squad was going to look like post-2025 and then he had an opportunity to extend his career right now.
“So I didn’t want to stand in his way to do that and at the end of the day, decisions need to be made and it’s just part of the game and what we sign up for. It’s nothing personal. I thought I’d want to do what was best for him going forward. Then also make a decision for our club for the future.”
