‘Disrespectful’: Eels plot emerges over captain’s future

Parramatta’s true intentions for captain Clint Gutherson have been exposed with a report the club’s actions are “disrespectful”.

Parramatta has been accused of “disrespectful” treatment of captain Clinton Gutherson.

The star fullback’s uncertain future was the most striking subject that was addressed by new Eels coach Jason Ryles in his first interview in Parramatta colours.

Ryles has wasted no time in overhauling the roster that finished 15th in 2024, with Reagan Campbell-Gillard leaving along with 10 other players.

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There has been some conjecture over Gutherson’s future at the club amid links to the Dragons.

He is off-contract at the end of 2025 and free to negotiate with rivals from November 1.

Ryles said he is a big admirer of Gutherson’s but has also failed to guarantee the 30-year-old will play at fullback next season.

According to reports, Gutherson will be shifted to play at lock or at No. 9 next season in order for young gun Isaiah Iongi to wear the No. 1 jumper.

According to leading rugby league journalist James Hooper, the Eels have been subtly pushing Gutherson out the door.

Clint Gutherson is off-contract at the end of 2025.

Ryles has come clean. Picture: NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

“I found it disrespectful and confusing the way Parramatta have addressed that issue,” Hooper said on Fox League NRL 360 after watching Ryles’ first interview.

“Clint Gutherson is their captain. He won the players’ player award. Won the coaches award.

In all likelihood.”

“I think that Gutho may be gone too because I don’t see how a player at thirty years of age, who has spent his entire career as a fullback, would have any appetite whatsoever to transition to a No. 13 or a No. 9

“I think Parramatta are trying to force him to make the decision. So rather than them tapping him on the shoulder, like what they did with RCG. I think they’re saying, ‘We love you, we’ve still got a spot for you, we just want you to play at thirteen and a little bit at hooker. Or maybe off the bench’.

“You can’t have a $900,000 bench player. You just can’t.”

He said he expects the Dragons to swoop once the November 1 deadline passes.

According to reports, the Dragons and Eels will then likely have to negotiate for Gutherson to be given an early release from his contract so he could join the Dragons before the 2025 season.

His potential departure would be another huge win for Dragons coach Shane Flanagan in his recruitment drive with Valentine Holmes an Damien Cook already on their way to the club.

The Eels will welcome Zac Lomax and Iongi next season and Ryles is looking forward to what they will bring to the club and the star players he already has on his books.

Reagan Campbell-Gillard has been given permission to leave the Eels early.

“We’ve got a few spots to fill, but Isaiah and Zac are really exciting inclusions for us,” Ryles said.

“They’ll speed us up a little bit around the field. And then also Zac adds a little bit of that X-factor as well.

“I’m really excited to get to work with him and obviously Mitchell Moses and Dylan Brown and those guys speak for themselves. It’s an exciting challenge and one I’m looking forward to.”

However, one former representative star that will not be at the Eels in 2025 is Campbell-Gillard and Ryles explained his reasons for letting him go, despite having a year to run on his contract.

“I think that was just an opportunity for both parties,” Ryles said.

“We came to an agreement there where it was best for both of us. I couldn’t guarantee what the squad was going to look like post-2025 and then he had an opportunity to extend his career right now.

“So I didn’t want to stand in his way to do that and at the end of the day, decisions need to be made and it’s just part of the game and what we sign up for.

“It’s nothing personal. I thought I’d want to do what was best for him going forward. Then also make a decision for our club for the future.”