Rugby league legend Cooper Cronk has slammed Parramatta’s choice to hit the open market and recruit an ‘X-factor’ participant that might change Clint Gutherson at fullback.
According to the SMH, Gutherson sat down with Parramatta powerbrokers who knowledgeable him they’d be trying to recruit a participant to reinforce their premiership credentials.
The 28-year-old reportedly gave the membership his blessing and the transfer doesn’t essentially imply he shall be dethroned at fullback.
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Instead the membership desire a participant so as to add spark to their exterior backs, hoping to go one higher after shedding the 2022 grand closing.
Gutherson is the Eels’ captain and certainly one of “the elite fullbacks in our game” based on Cronk who was left baffled by the choice.
“X-factor might score you a try or two, but Clint Gutherson will save you three or four,” Cronk stated on NRL360 on Monday evening.
“Like that’s just… he’s one of the best defensive fullbacks in the game, I think his workrate is through the roof and you have X-factor with Brown and Moses in your halves combination.
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“I find this really strange, considering it is Gutherson who is elite, he’s your captain and having an honest conversation about bringing X-factor, I find it crazy.”
NRL360 host Braith Anasta additionally questioned if transferring Gutherson to centre will give Brad Arthur the spark he’s looking for.
Gutherson has performed within the centres at Origin degree and commenced his profession at Manly within the place earlier than he departed the membership forward of the 2016 season.
The gun fullback has gone on to play over 160 video games within the well-known blue and gold jersey, and Cronk believes the membership shouldn’t “throw him out”.
“It’s about the only thing you could do, if you want to bring X-factor into your game, but I think it’s crazy,” Cronk stated.
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“It doesn’t work for me, and he’s one of the elite fullbacks in our game, maybe change his game style don’t throw him out.”
Rugby league legend Billy Slater echoed Cronk’s opinion and stated he “couldn’t believe” Parramatta’s shock choice.
“I think Clint Gutherson is one of the best fullbacks in the game,” Slater stated on Channel Nine.
“Sometimes we look at the shiny, bright stuff that the fullbacks can do, and Gutherson adds so much more to that team than the bright, shiny stuff.
“I look at that position and think, ‘Can that team win a competition with that player at fullback?’ and I can see that with Clint Gutherson.
“So I can’t believe that they would be looking elsewhere.”
Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
