Clint Gutherson boldly declares Parramatta can win the NRL title this season

They’re coming off a shock defeat to Canterbury and have lost one of their best forwards to suspension - but Parramatta still have an unshakeable belief in their ability to win the premiership.

We can win the NRL premiership, via Dean Ritchie.

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Watch out Sydney Roosters, Parramatta are coming to get you.

While most people are tipping last year’s premiers to go back-to-back, Eels captain Clint Gutherson is having none of it.

He claims the Eels have the roster to beat the Roosters — and anyone else who gets in their way — and win the premiership for the first time in 33 years.

“I don’t think anyone externally thinks anyone can beat the Roosters,’’ Gutherson said. “That’s what you guys (media) are saying and everyone’s saying.

“That’s good. That gives us a challenge.”

Not even a shock loss to Canterbury last weekend has swayed Gutherson from the belief that last year’s wooden spooners are title contenders.

“Yeah, 100 per cent; based on the belief that on our day we can beat anyone,’’ he said of the $23 outsiders with the TAB.

“If you don’t believe in yourself, there’s no one (who will).

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The loss to Canterbury hasn’t dented Parramatta’s confidence. AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts.

“If you’re not playing footy to win the comp, you’re not playing for the right reasons. You want to be winning comps.

“If you’re not going out there in the finals trying to prove everyone wrong and win it, you’re in the game for the wrong reason.”

The Eels can further push their title claims with victory against Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.

“We’ve just got to string together a good month and a half of footy and hopefully be there in October,’’ Gutherson said. “You’d rather be where we are now than where we were last year.’’

Some experienced Eels hands are guiding the way.

“The older boys are really driving it,’’ Gutherson said. We’ve got ‘Fergo’ (returning winger Blake Ferguson) and ‘Jenko’ (centre Michael Jennings) that have been there before and they are really driving that belief.”

Winning the competition is Parramatta’s ultimate goal. Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images.

Eels forward Junior Paulo was also thinking big at Parramatta training.

“You shouldn’t be playing NRL if you’re not playing to win the comp,’’ Paulo said. “It’s one area we don’t lack — belief.

“It’s been a goal of ours since pre-season. On our best day we can beat any team in the comp. We’ve been turning up to games with a mentality of winning.

“I knew it was going to be a tough turnaround after coming off the back of a wooden spoon but we have turned that around.

“The job’s not done yet but our goal is to win a comp. That’s why we are here. That’s why we turn up every day.

“Brad (Arthur, coach) has given us a licence to play footy.”

Originally published as Clint Gutherson boldly declares Parramatta can win the NRL title this season