Parramatta Eels re-sign skipper Clint Gutherson for three years

The Parramatta Eels have one less player to worry about amid a massive raid on its playing stocks, locking in one of the side’s key players.

The Eels have nabbed one of the team’s big fish. Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images

The Parramatta Eels have re-signed captain Clint Gutherson in a three-year deal, giving the club one less headache amid a raid on some of the club’s biggest stars.

The Daily Telegraph reported Gutherson would take home $2.3 million in the deal to keep the fullback at Parramatta until the end of the 2025 season.

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There had been reports of a standoff previously as Gutherson sought a three-year extension and the Eels were only look for two-years.

But the deal was reportedly agreed upon on Friday night after negotiations had broken down earlier in the day.

It’s been a tough week for the Eels after Isaiah Papali’i was signed by the Wests Tigers for the 2023 season and Marata Niukore was picked up by the Warriors.

Fellow key stars in hooker Reed Mahoney has been sounded out by the Canterbury Bulldogs, and State of Origin prop Junior Paulo is attracting interest from other clubs.

The Eels released a statement trumpeting the deal that will see Gutherson become a 10 year player at Parramatta.

Parramatta captain Clint Gutherson was attracting interest from rival clubs. NRL Imagery

Parramatta Eels General Manager of Football Mark O’Neill said the signing of Gutherson was a big deal for the club.

“We are delighted for Clint and his partner Jesse to remain part of the Eels,” the statement read.

“Clint is a key leader of the club and the energy and commitment he brings to work every day is unparalleled. Additionally, his on-field performances week in and week out are always at a consistently high level.”

Gutherson has been a key member of the Eels side since finding his best position at fullback.

It led to a 2020 Origin debut, but he also had a brilliant 2021 season, scoring 13 tries, adding 20 try assists and averaging 170 run meters this year.

The Eels are reportedly in a battle for Mahoney, who was expected to make his Origin debut for Queensland in 2021 until a shoulder injury cruelled his chances.

After signing Panthers forward Viliame Kikau, the Bulldogs have reportedly turned their attention on securing Mahoney.

Mahoney previously played junior football for Canterbury before being released midway because he was not seen as a first grade prospect for the club and given an opportunity by the Eels.

Reed Mahoney is the next big target for the Eels.

Earlier this month it was reported the Eels are at $450,000 over three years and the Bulldogs are at $650,000 over four years.

Mahoney has played 73 games for the Eels since making his NRL debut in 2018.

Parramatta still have a host of players off contract and available to talk to other teams.

It comes just weeks after the Eels released a statement, taking aim at media speculation over the futures of its off-contract stars.

But after the week that say Papali’i and Niukore sign elsewhere, The Australian’s Brent Read told Triple M’s The Rush Hour on Thursday that “all the pressure is on (the Eels)”.

“Parramatta has lost all control of this landscape, they just need to sign someone,” Read said.

He added that the Eels back-rower — which has featured Papali’i, Niukore and the out of favour Ryan Matterson, who Read added the “don’t want … and are happy for him to leave” — will need to be rebuilt.

Geyer also said that the Eels’ premiership window was rapidly closing.

“I think the Parramatta window of opportunity is next year,” he said. “I think once ‘22 goes, they’re starting a rebuild.”