Clint Gutherson reveals he received death threats from Parramatta fans

RETURNING Parramatta star Clint Gutherson has revealed he was the target of death threats from disgruntled Eels fans when he first arrived at the club.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA — JULY 23: Clint Gutherson of the Eels is tackled by the Tigers defence during the round 20 NRL match between the Wests Tigers and the Parramatta Eels at ANZ Stadium on July 23, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

RETURNING Parramatta star Clint Gutherson has revealed he was the target of death threats from disgruntled Eels fans.

Now deemed Parramatta’s saviour, Gutherson recalled how Eels supporters wanted him “dead’’ after a slow start to his first season with the club last year.

The drama came after Gutherson was pushed out onto the wing after Parramatta signed Michael Jennings to play in the centres in 2016.

The threats shocked Gutherson.

It didn’t take long for Gutherson to change fan opinions with his on-field form and become a Parramatta favourite.

The Eels faithful will be hoping Gutherson can spark the team.

“I was getting death threats after round two,” Gutherson told sports social platform, 20 FOUR.

“They wanted me dead after the first four rounds.

“I trained all pre-season at centre and I was excited. We then signed ‘Jenko’ late and I was the one who got forced to the wing.

“I was stuck on the wing, a bit lost.

“But after the first four or five rounds, I was suddenly getting my groove back and the fans slowly started to like me, and they ended up voting me their favourite player at the end of the year.

“It took them a while but I’m hopeful that I’ve got them on my side now.

“And hopefully for the long term as well.”

Gutherson is back from last year’s season-ending ACL injury to take on Canberra at GIO Stadium on Saturday night.

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Gutherson also revealed the moment he fronted Eels coach Brad Arthur after the club signed Jarryd Hayne.

A former Manly player, Gutherson said he was anxious about his future after Hayne arrived at Parramatta.

“I was a bit nervous. I went to see Brad straight away to ask what’s going on, when he is going to play and what’s going to happen to me when I get back,” Gutherson said.

“I was nervous but he assured me that I would have that spot in the team and we would make it work for us, for the better of the team.

“He (Hayne) has been around forever and he knows how to win games. He is a big time player and I think that’s what we missed last year.”

Gutherson returns after his ACL injury ready to confront the Raiders, who won their first game of this season last week. The Eels remain winless.

It was July last year when Gutherson suffered his knee injury in July last year, when he collapsed in pain against Wests Tigers.

Gutherson will return at fullback this weekend.

“My leg just caught the wrong way. You hear it go straight away, you hear these couple of pops,” Gutherson said.

“The doctor and the physio said ‘look we’ll book you in tomorrow’ and I said ‘mate, book me in tonight’.

“I didn’t want to be at home sitting there wondering if I had or hadn’t done it. I was driving home on the M2 and the doctor called me and said you’ve done it.

“It was hard. I had to pull over and I had tears coming down my face. I got it done at 11.30 that night. I think they opened up just for me so I could get it done and move on.

“You put so much into playing week in, week out. It takes a toll on you.

“After my first knee reconstruction (at Manly), I took every game as an opportunity to enjoy it and be grateful you get to do this as a job and have fun with some of your best mates.”

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Originally published as Clint Gutherson reveals he received death threats from Parramatta fans