Clint Gutherson blasted over startling Eels moment after Kevin Walters' telling Broncos declaration

Eels captain Clint Gutherson has been questioned after a lacklustre effort in Parramatta's brutal loss in Brisbane, while Kevin Walters has declared the Broncos will play finals footy this season. The Eels will now play the Wests Tigers in the final round of the season to see who finishes at the bottom of the NRL ladder in 2024.

The Broncos managed to sneak home 30-24 on Friday night after the Eels led 16-0 in the first-half. However, the home side's comeback was inspired when Tristan Sailor made a line-break from halfway and managed to leave Gutherson in the dust to score a try after a solo 60 metre effort.

And while Gutherson was his usual busy self throughout the contest, the alarming moment of being left so easily behind prompted criticism. Sailor simply breezed past Gutherson when they were one-on-one, despite only having around 15 metres to work with before going out.

Gutherson has been carrying an injury in 2024 after undergoing surgery on his knee back in April. And the fullback was clearly hampered in his attempt to usher Sailor to the sideline. The 29-year-old could not hit full speed in a desperate attempt to tackle the Broncos No.1.

But the effort would have been alarming for Eels supporters with their team fighting to avoid the wooden spoon. It also didn't stop fans blasting his effort as the 29-year-old has been linked with a number of clubs as his contract comes to an end at the conclusion of 2025.

Despite Gutherson's defensive effort standing out, the captain was involved in all the good the Eels achieved in the six point loss. Unfortunately, Adam Reynolds stood up for the Broncos with the club now needing to win their remaining two games - and hope results go their way - to play finals. However, under pressure coach Kevin Walters hit back at the critics in his post-match press conference.

Kevin Walters hits back at doubters over NRL finals

The Broncos are long shots to make the NRL finals having endured a horror year after making the 2023 NRL grand final. Walters' men will now need to defeat the Dolphins and the Storm to have a chance of qualifying. This might need to be done without superstar Reece Walsh. And Walters was critical of his own team's effort in the first half.

"It wasn't a good start from our fellas," Walters said after the game. "We went against everything we spoke about, but I admired their courage to stay in the game.

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“It was a much needed win obviously and it wasn’t that pretty but they hung in there well. They never gave up, that’s how they won the game. Some of the footy wasn’t very enticing but we got the job done.

“The important thing tonight was to come here and win.” Although coach Walters hit back at the critics and said their wasn't any doubt within the squad they will be playing in September. "There is no if here, we’re going to make the finals,” Walters said.

“Yeah (we can challenge in the finals). We will make the finals but we’ve got to play well next week. We didn’t play well and we managed to win but if we come up with that next week (against the Dolphins) it won’t be the same result.”