Clint Gutherson inspires electric Eels to 32-18 win over Dragons
Parramatta skipper Clint Gutherson dragged his side back from the brink against the Dragons and could soon have two million more reasons to smile.
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It could be the 80 minutes that nails down a $2 million contract.
Parramatta skipper Clint Gutherson dragged his side back from the brink against St George Illawarra when the Eels trailed 14-0 nearing half-time.
A stunning 26-point second half gave Parramatta a stirring 32-18 win, their fifth from eight games this season.
Gutherson scored a 75m solo try just three minutes into the second half and played a pivotal role in a long-range Maika Sivo try just three minutes later.
He also popped up in the middle of the field and has a wonderful awareness of where there is space. He has that knack of identifying defensive holes.
“He was great — that’s his strength, playing through the middle third of the field, all the effort areas,” Eels coach Brad Arthur said.
“He keeps being able to put himself in those positions because of his preparation. It’s a desire.”
Gutherson wants $700,000 a season, while Parramatta want to outlay $650,000.
The Eels should find that additional $50,000 and re-sign him.
There were reports Sunday night Gutherson had re-signed for three years but Parramatta officials, and Gutherson himself, denied any deal had been reached.
Gutherson’s manager, Sam Ayoub, said: “He’s not even close to re-signing.”
The Eels plan to meet with Gutherson Monday or Tuesday.
Asked if he was losing sleep over Gutherson’s protracted contract negotiations, Arthur said: “I haven’t slept for six years so I don’t think that matters. There is a desire from both parties to get it done.”
The contract drama didn’t hinder Gutherson as he ran for 234m with the ball.
BANK ON IT
It was another spectacular and high-energy game before 25,872 fans at Bankwest Stadium.
After defending for much of the first half, Parramatta scored five tries in 44 minutes. The new stadium has added to the quality of the Eels’ play.
The atmosphere the crowd generates adds immensely to the occasion and should ensure the fans flock back to the Eels’ next home game, against Penrith on May 23.
ELECTRIC EELS
Parramatta showed courage and heart to swing back into the game when behind by 14 points.
The Eels grabbed the momentum early in the second half and never handed it back.
They dug in and turned pressure into points.
“We just had to compete,” Eels hooker Reed Mahoney said.
Fijian-born Sivo scored two tries in a performance which evoked memories of former winger Semi Radradra as he ran for 198 barnstorming metres.
Winger Blake Ferguson sent fans wild with a backflip, post-try celebration in the 64th minute. Mitch Moses was also brilliant in the second half.
“I don’t know about the backflips,” Arthur said.
“He prides himself on making a difference out of the back field.
“I sent a message down to him with 25 minutes to go and said, ‘this is what he gets paid for’ and ‘win us this game’.”
Eels forward Tepai Moeroa could be charged by the NRL’s match review committee after diving at the legs of former teammate Corey Norman as he kicked.
“We knew we had to stay in the grind,” Moeroa said.
WOUNDED DRAGONS
Saints lost two star players to injury — Tyson Frizell and Norman — and the rest of them lost their way.
Frizell copped an accidental poke in the eye and came from the field in the first half, went back on and then came off for good at half-time. Norman suffered a fractured cheekbone.
Everything seemed to go against the Dragons in the second half.
“We were very well drilled in the first half and not coached in the second,” coach Paul McGregor said.
“We just didn’t start with any intent with our defence in the second half.
“We didn’t handle errors, penalties, 50-50 calls. We just didn’t show enough of our standards when we got put under that type of pressure. The second 40 was disappointing.”
TRY OF YEAR
St George Illawarra scored a try that will long be remembered. The ball moved about 150m across and then down the field.
Matt Dufty, Mikaele Ravalawa, Jordan Pereira, Tim Lafai and then Dufty again handled in a stunning movement from a Parramatta kick. It was special and gave Saints a 14-0 lead.
PARRAMATTA 32 (M Sivo 2 B Ferguson C Gutherson R Mahoney tries M Moses 6 goals) bt ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA 18 (M Dufty B Hunt M Ravalawa tries Z Lomax 3 goals) at Bankwest Stadium. Referee: Chris Butler, Ashley Klein
Originally published as Clint Gutherson inspires electric Eels to 32-18 win over Dragons
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