Parramatta captain Clint Gutherson says he has no interest in switching to the centres for 2021
Parramatta have dipped into the free agent market to sign three players for next season, but Clint Gutherson has dismissed suggestions of switching positions to accommodate another arrival.
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Clint Gutherson wants nothing to do with a rumored switch to the Parramatta centres for 2021, despite suggestions he could be moved for Indigenous All Stars livewire Bevan French.
Currently in camp with the NSW Origin side, Gutherson said he was “excited” about the idea of Blues coach Brad Fittler potentially using him as a centre replacement in this year’s series for injured Manly superstar Tom Trbojevic.
However the Eels captain has no interest in making the switch permanent, despite suggestions his club is looking to bring French back from the English Super League.
Gutherson’s call comes as the Eels announce a trio of signings, with New Zealand Warriors back-rower Isaiah Papali’i, North Queensland centre Tom Opacic and former Eels junior hooker Joey Lussick.
As first revealed by The Daily Telegraph, Parramatta have privately discussed the idea of French returning to the club next season, with Gutherson potentially moving to centre in place of Michael Jennings, who is under investigation for performance-enhancing drug use.
The revelation comes after an outstanding season for the Parramatta No.1, who finished only one point behind eventual Dally M winner Jake Wighton.
When asked about trading places after an outstanding season, Gutherson said he definitely wanted to stay put.
“Fullback is my best position,” he said simply. “It’s also my favourite position.
“So that’s it really.”
Quizzed on what he knew about talks to bring French home, the skipper continued: “I’m not too sure mate.
“Bevo is a quality player, but nobody has said anything to me about it.
“So they may be talking to him, I don’t know. I haven’t heard.”
Despite having no interest in playing centre at NRL level, Gutherson stressed he was certainly keen to join this year’s Blues three-quarter line for coach Fittler.
“If I get thrown in there it certainly won’t bother me,” he said. “I’ve played there before.
“I played almost a full season there a few years back and have also played a lot of my junior footy in the centres.
“Obviously the decision will be up to Freddy and the coaching staff but I’m really excited to be here and would be more than happy to take that role.”
Gutherson added that his move into the Blues Bubble on Monday was helping overcome the pain of Parramatta again finishing so agonisingly close to an NRL grand final.
“Back end of last week, I was still filthy we lost,” he said. “Then you watch the games over the weekend too and think ‘we could’ve been there if just a few little things went right’.
“But Origin camp brings you back pretty quick.
“Instead of dwelling on things for weeks at home you can come into camp with a new focus.
“And all the boys here right now are trying to do the same thing.
“It’s exciting.
“I got my first taste in camp last year for games two and three. That lit a fire to get back here and force my way into the 17.
“All the boys here, there are some of them I’ve looked up to for a long time and now I get the chance to be in camp and push my case for selection.”
Papali’i has signed a two-year contract, while Opacic and Lussick have both agreed one-year deals.
Opacic, 26, comes to the Eels after making his NRL debut for Brisbane Broncos in 2016 before spending two seasons with the Cowboys. With Michael Jennings’ future in doubt because of a positive drugs test, Opacic will have a chance to earn a starting spot in the Eels’ backline.
Lussick has spent the past three seasons in the UK Super League with Salford after making his NRL debut for Manly in 2017.
ARTHUR RUMOURS A LOAD OF S**T
SENIOR Parramatta players have branded criticism of coach Brad Arthur “a load of s…”, saying only those with “no idea” would try to change his style.
Despite lifting the Eels from last to third within just two years, Arthur suddenly stands accused of being too ‘old school’ and has also made headlines over a reported falling out with General Manager of Football, Mark O’Neill.
Yet speaking from inside NSW Origin camp this week, Eels captain Clint Gutherson and prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard have both hit back at what they claim are “unwarranted” criticism.
The pair also threw their support behind beleaguered No.7 Mitchell Moses, who drew heavy criticism after the Eels were bundled out of the NRL premiership race by South Sydney.
“People always seem to hate on Mitchell,” Gutherson said. “And I have no idea why.
“He’s our best player. Our leader.
“He controls games and does everything we ask of him. Yet he’s really copped it since we went out.
“But I can only tell you he’s our No.1 player -- and it takes a huge toll on him when things don’t go right.”
Gutherson also rejected claims Arthur was too old school.
“It’s an unwarranted attack,” he said. “Brad is a great coach for both me personally and the team, and he definitely has our support.
“Brad has taken us from last place to fifth, and now third.
“We’re on the up.
“But I guess NRL coaches are always under pressure and the only people who can ease that for him is us players.
“We just need to take that next step. Which is why Brad definitely has the support of our team.”
Campbell-Gillard agreed.
Asked about his coach being under pressure, the Eels enforcer replied: “It’s a load of s....
“Those people making comment have no idea how Brad coaches
“He is one of the best.
“And if anyone thinks they can do a better job, come down and try to train us. I’m sure you won’t even last a day.
“I know personally, Brad has been great in getting my footy back on track. I’ve got him and the club to thank.”
While the Eels opened the year winning 11 of 13 games, they eventually lost five of their last nine and were bundled out of the finals by Souths, 38-24.
Worse too, was the way they departed.
Despite leading 18-8 at the break, Parramatta imploded in the second half as they conceded five tries.
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Almost immediately afterwards, Arthur found himself under pressure.
Mitchell also copped a hammering on social media, quickly followed by whispers the 26-year-old was set to be moved on early from a contract worth $800,000 annually.
“But Mitchell is working hard to get us to that next level,” Gutherson insisted. “After the Souths game, he was devastated. We all were.
“We just sat in the sheds for ages -- nobody speaking – thinking about what could have been.
“That’s the most frustrating thing.
“We were so close in both those semi-finals games.
“But that’s footy.
“You have to be able to go on.
“And I know it’s going to hurt -- it still hurts me – but we have to move on and work hard to take that next step.”