Eels to release Clint Gutherson as Dragons ramp up pursuit of Parramatta star

Clint Gutherson’s Parramatta career is set to end with the Eels on the verge of releasing the captain as the Dragons prepare to pounce.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 16: Clint Gutherson of the Eels runs the ball during the round 24 NRL match between Sydney Roosters and Parramatta Eels at Allianz Stadium, on August 16, 2024, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

Clint Gutherson is set to have played his final game for the Eels with Parramatta expected to release him from the final year of his contract immediately.

Just as the Dragons released their captain in Ben Hunt, the Eels will formally do the same with their skipper in the coming days.

Gutherson’s future was discussed at a board meeting on Wednesday night and the official release is set to happen within days. He is expected to take up a three-year deal to join the Dragons from next season.

St George Illawarra stepped up their pursuit of Gutherson after a crucial meeting on Wednesday afternoon.

Clint Gutherson met with the Dragons on Wednesday. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

The Dragons have made it clear they want Gutherson as early as next season and St George Illawarra wasted little time turning their attention to the 30-year-old following the news of Ben Hunt’s early exit.

Dragons coach Shane Flanagan, head of football Ben Haran and Gutherson’s agent Sam Ayoub met to try and flush out a multi-year contract on Wednesday just hours after the club told Hunt he is free to go.

Gutherson had been given permission by the Eels to negotiate with rival clubs for 2026 before Friday’s November 1 deadline kicks-in.

Like the Dragons have done with Hunt, the Eels won’t offer any money for Gutherson to walk out the door from his $850,000 contract.

The Dragons have the cap space to accommodate him.

Flanagan sees Gutherson is not only the ideal no.1 but a potential skipper following Hunt’s exit alongside new recruit Damien Cook.

“I have no idea whether he’ll (Gutherson) be at our club next year,’’ Flanagan said in an interview with this masthead last week.

“The conversation with Clint and his management has been really clear.

“He’s been the captain of that club (Eels). And to me, he’s been such a good player for a long period of time.

“(I said), if you decide to leave, if you want to leave, come and talk to us.

Clint Gutherson is set to be released by the Eels. Picture: Getty Images

“He’s away with his family on holidays at the moment. Has he made that decision yet? No.

“But if he does make that decision, that he wants to leave, we would love to be in that queue to get him.

“I think he’d bring leadership. He’s been the captain of a big, powerful club like the Dragons are.

“He’s still a quality player. He played last year, at the back end of the year with broken ribs and knee injury.

“We don’t want him to play injured, but that’s the sort of person he is.

“I think he’d be great for Tyrell Sloan. For Tyrell to see the way that he trains and prepares and plays, it would be great for him as well.’’