Huge boost for Dragons as Parramatta make massive call on letting Clint Gutherson walk
Gutherson has been granted permission to speak to rival NRL clubs effective immediately.
Parramatta have granted club veteran Clint Gutherson permission to speak with rival clubs immediately after the Eels informed their captain they wouldn't be offering him a contract extension in a revelation sure to prick the ears of Dragons coach Shane Flanagan. While Gutherson remains contracted at the Eels for next season he is in line for a positional switch with Eels coach Jason Ryles reportedly keen on playing new recruit Isaiah Iongi at fullback.
Parramatta had previously made it clear they want to keep Gutherson at the club beyond next season and play him in a roaming role in the forwards - likely either as a hooker or lock. Ryles floated the plan to Gutherson in August and it is understood he was receptive to the positional switch and his new proposed role.
However, with no movement on his contract since those discussions, Gutherson's agent Sam Ayoub sought clarity around the situation before Gutherson becomes a free agent on November 1. And News Corp reports on Thursday Ayoub and Gutherson sat down with Ryles and Eels general manager Mark O’Neill where the club reiterated their desire to keep the 29-year-old, however, wouldn't table a new offer until they saw how he performed in his new role.
Gutherson is on a deal worth around $900,000 next year and the club are not willing to table a new offer with uncertainty around his impact in the new role or the potential longevity of his career. And therefore in Thursday's meeting, the Eels gave Ayoub permission to begin negotiations with rival clubs immediately, with no need to wait until November.
The Eels have, however, asked Ayoub and Gutherson to disclose any interest he garners in the open market before agreeing to any deal. But if a club tables an offer for Gutherson the Eels could ultimately decide let him leave ahead of the 2025 campaign as they look to free up salary cap space to rebuild their roster.
Clint Gutherson targeted as fullback option for the Dragons
Dragons coach Flanagan enjoyed a mostly successful first year in charge of the Red V and has made no secret of his desire to add further strike power to his roster despite already securing South Sydney hooker Damien Cook and Valentine Holmes for next season.
The Dragons are understood to see Gutherson as a perfect fullback addition given the struggles Tyrell Sloan had defensively in 2024. Sloan was dropped to reserve grade after a poor run of form and endured a hot and cold season. And Flanagan has identified Gutherson as an ideal fullback option for next season. If the Red V manage to strike a deal with the 29-year-old, the Eels will be left with a decision to make over whether they should release their captain immediately or at the end of 2025.
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However, the Eels permitting him to talk to rival clubs is further good news for the Dragons who, if it all goes to plan, could line up with a backline of Gutherson at fullback, Tyrell Sloan and Josh Addo-Carr on the wing and Moses Suli and Valentine Holmes in the centres. The Red V are understood to be in discussions with Addo-Carr’s management over a p
