Manly coach Des Hasler weighs in on Clint Gutherson’s NRL future

Parramatta skipper Clint Gutherson is off-contract at the end of 2019 and has been frustrated as his contract talks have played out publicly over the last several weeks.

Des Hasler says Clint Gutherson is too expensive to fit under Manly’s salary cap. Picture: AAP

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Manly coach Des Hasler has attempted to pour cold water on his NRL club’s interest in Clint Gutherson, saying he’s too expensive for the Sea Eagles to squeeze into their salary cap.

Parramatta skipper Gutherson is off-contract at the end of 2019 and has been frustrated as his contract talks have played out publicly over the last several weeks.

The Eels have reportedly refused to meet his asking price of $750,000 a season with his management announcing they were set to negotiate with rival clubs.

Gutherson on Thursday denied he was set to meet with Hasler, and the Sea Eagles mentor on Friday also said he had no plans to sit down with the former Manly junior.

“No, no, no,” Hasler said when asked if he planned to hold talks with the 24-year-old.

Des Hasler says Clint Gutherson is too expensive to fit under Manly’s salary cap. Picture: AAP

“We’re still in a situation where we’ve got salary cap constraints.

“We’re still operating 350 (thousand) under the cap. We still have 250 suspended. I haven’t spoken to Clint Gutherson.

“At this stage, no, it’s just not feasible.”

Clint Gutherson is off-contract at the end of 2019. Picture: AAP

The Sea Eagles had $660,000 shaved off their salary cap over 2018 and 2019 after being found guilty of salary cap cheating.

However they will have a full salary cap to work with in 2020 and beyond. Should Dylan Walker, who faces an uncertain future, depart the club, it would also free up room.

Walker has been stood down under the game’s “no fault” rules after being charged with domestic violence offences. He has pleaded not guilty.

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Also standing in the way of the deal is the fact that the club has one of the game’s premier No.1s on their books in Tom Trbojevic but Gutherson spent the bulk of 2016 and 2017 at five-eighth.

Hasler expressed his admiration for Gutherson but said the club wasn’t in a position to meet his asking price.

“I think anyone would be a fan of the way he’s playing,” Hasler said.

“He’s also a local junior. And he has that flexibility and versatility. But he also costs a lot of money.”

Originally published as Manly coach Des Hasler weighs in on Clint Gutherson’s NRL future