Clint Gutherson needed just 23 minutes to impress his new St George Illawarra teammates. Or 22 minutes and 58 seconds, to be precise.
That is the impressive time Gutherson clocked on a five-kilometre run up Mt Keira outside Wollongong on day one of pre-season training.
The Dragons’ new recruit finished well in front of the chasing pack, with only staffer Kelly Penfold, who works in the club’s strength and conditioning department, getting the better of the man widely regarded as one of the fittest in rugby league.
“He’s a really good athlete, and he’s not here just to get his money – he’s come here to lead us, on and off the field,” Dragons coach Shane Flanagan said.
“He was captain of Parramatta for a long period of time, we see what he does in games on the weekend, but after speaking to a lot of people who know him – [assistant coach] Ryan Carr is on my staff and worked with Gutho for a long time – he’s a leader Monday to Friday we well. That’s why we signed him.
“He’s come in on day one and done that up a steep incline with no flat spots and no rest.
King of the mountain: Dragons recruit Clint Gutherson won the race up Mt Keira on day one of pre-season training.Credit: St George Illawarra Dragons
“When you talk about leadership, people can be great talkers, others do it game day but not much during the week, but Gutho and ‘Cooky’ [Damien Cook] will be leaders during the week and on game day as well.
“I arrived for training ast 6.15am and Gutho was already there. He’s not tiptoeing in – he’s jumped straight in.”
Gutherson, Zac Lomax, who departed the Dragons and joined the Eels – and would regularly win the 1.2km time trials – Penrith’s Dylan Edwards and North Queensland’s Tom Dearden have long been regarded the fittest players every pre-season.
The 30-year-old Gutherson, who is the frontrunner to be handed the Dragons captaincy following Ben Hunt’s departure, signed a three-year deal to wear the Red V last week. He will start the new season at fullback, with current No.1 Tyrell Sloan shifting to the wing.
Clint Gutherson with assistant coach Ryan Carr and Tyrell Sloan on FridayCredit: St George Illawarra Dragons
Fellow new recruits Cook and Valentine Holmes will return to training next Friday.
The Dragons still have a healthy war chest following the exit of Lomax and Hunt, who was cut loose with a year remaining on his deal.
Hunt initially wanted to return home to Brisbane, but since been linked to the Sydney Roosters, who view him as a halfback and Sam Walker his five-eighth.
“Without a doubt it’s disappointing he won’t be there, but I’ve moved on, that’s footy, players get injured, players move on to other clubs,” Flanagan said. “I wish him well. I don’t care where he ends up to be honest, and it’s out of my control.”
Flanagan hopes to sign a replacement playmaker in the next fortnight, with South Sydney’s Lachie Ilias and Wests Tigers’ Adam Doueihi two players on the club’s radar.
The Dragons have zero interest in Brodie Croft, who has been linked to the club. Daniel Atkinson and Tyran Wishart are two ideal candidates, but neither will be released by Cronulla and Melbourne respectively.
“We’re doing our research, and we’re not in a rush – if it’s another week or two, so be it,” Flanagan said. “We need to get the right person for our club.”
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