‘No ill feelings’: Clint Gutherson opens up on Eels exit and how it will work with Tyrell Sloan next year at the Dragons

Clint Gutherson hasn’t thought about whether he’ll captain the Dragons next year, but he appears to be the best man for the job.

Dragons recruit Clint Gutherson insists he has “no ill feelings” towards anyone at the Eels for the way his time at the club ended, with the veteran fullback opening up about the St George Illawarra captaincy and where Tyrell Sloan fits in next year in his first major interview since making the big move.

Gutherson spent nine seasons at Parramatta and led them to a grand final in 2022, but it was made clear that he wasn’t going to be their fullback next year, which led to him signing with the Dragons for the next three seasons.

Clint Gutherson will take on his former side in round 5. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

“I’ve got no ill feelings towards anyone at Parramatta,” he said on Friday, declaring he’s “all in” with the Dragons.

“Some of those people involved at the club are some of my closest friends and people that I’ll always be able to talk to.

“Not a tiny little bit of me has any remorse or hate towards anyone there.

“It’s a fresh start here and it’s special. On day one I was very nervous coming into training for the first time in a long time.”

He may have been nervous on that first day, but Gutherson wasted no time showing his teammates how much this means to him, as he won a fitness test with a gruelling run to the top of Mount Keira.

Clint Gutherson set the standard in pre-season by winning the fitness tests at his new club. Picture: Dragons

“I’m always there to set the standard. I’ve done it my whole career,” he said.

“I was a bit more nervous for this one because I’m a bit older and I didn’t know how hard some of the young kids would go.

“I knew if I did what I needed to do that I’d get the win. It’s not about winning, it’s about setting the standard.

“That’s probably why I’ve come down here – to lead – and that’s what I’m going to do.”

Actions speak louder than words in footy, and fellow recruit Damien Cook has been impressed by what he’s seen from the fitness freak.

“We all know how fit he is, so there was no surprise about him winning the fitness tests,” he said.

“But I love him as a player already. I see how hard he works on the field, but to see how hard he works on the training park and in the gym every day is so impressive.

“No wonder he’s been such a great player for so long. He’s already shown great leadership on the field and has set standards at the club, so he’s doing his part really well.”

Gutherson was the heartbeat of the Eels and tried his guts out every week for the blue and golds. He says that attitude won’t change at his new club where he’s already been linked with the captaincy following Ben Hunt’s move to Brisbane.

“I haven’t even thought of it,” he replied when asked if he wanted to do it.

“With Benny Hunt leaving, there’s a position there. If those discussions come up, then I’ll definitely have a discussion, but it’s not on the horizon at the moment.”

Tyrell Sloan is expected to move to the wing with Gutherson to start at fullback. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

Gutherson’s arrival is bad news for Tyrell Sloan, who looks set to lose the fullback spot next year.

Sloan’s spot has never been assured, with the youngster dropped to reserve grade for one game last season.

But Gutherson says there’s room for both men, pointing to the fact that plenty of talented fullbacks have been forced to play out of position, with the veteran already trading ideas with his younger teammate.

“I don’t even know if I’ve taken his jersey yet because we haven’t gotten into positions yet,” he said.

“I called ‘Sloany’ straight away when I signed down here and had a chat with him and told him where I think I can help him.

“It’s his spot. He’s been playing there for a couple of years now.

“He’s had enormous pressure on him as a kid, so to be able to help and guide him to where he wants to be as a player and what he wants to do in his career, I think I can be a massive help with that.

“I’ve latched onto him in my time here already. We’ve been hanging out and picking each other’s brains.

“A lot of the best teams have a lot of fullbacks playing in the team, and I don’t think we’ll be any different.”

Originally published as ‘No ill feelings’: Clint Gutherson opens up on Eels exit and how it will work with Tyrell Sloan next year at the Dragons