The Parramatta Eels have held a gathering with fullback Clint Gutherson as they put together to go to the open market in a bid to finish their premiership drought this season.
Speaking to Nine News on Sunday afternoon, The Sydney Morning Herald’s Michael Chammas revealed the Eels need to add some spark to their backline.
It meant sitting down with Gutherson, who Chammas reported has “given the club his blessing” to make any strikes it believes will assist ship a title to Parramatta.
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“The Parramatta Eels in the past week have been ringing people in the game looking for a fullback,” Chammas reported.
“I spoke to the club, they say they informed Clint Gutherson of their pursuit of a fullback. They say they are just looking for a game-breaker and X-factor to add to their backline.
“It doesn’t mean Gutherson will be dethroned as the fullback but it does mean they’re on the lookout for someone who could play in that position, potentially forcing a reshuffle there.”
That may contain Gutherson transferring to centre and even beginning at fullback with the brand new recruit, whoever it could be, coming off the bench to interchange him.
It is a daring transfer from Parramatta, who scored its first win of the 12 months earlier this week in a golden level thriller towards Western Sydney rivals Penrith.
Gutherson, the crew’s captain, has been with the Eels since 2016 and shaped a robust mixture with current halves Dylan Brown and Mitchell Moses.
Premiership-winning fullback Billy Slater was in shock when he realized of the news.
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“I can’t believe it, to be honest,” Slater stated on Channel Nine.
“I think Clint Gutherson is one of the best fullbacks in the game. 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
