NRL 2021: Skipper Clint Gutherson pulls out of contract negotiations with Parramatta

With their season on the line, Parramatta now face the prospect of being forced into a bidding war for their talismanic leader Clint Gutherson if they don’t act fast after the season finishes.

Parramatta's Clint Gutherson looks on after a try by Souths Bayley Sironen during the NRL Semi Final between the Parramatta Eels and South Sydney Rabbitohs at Bankwest Stadium, Parramatta. Picture: Brett Costello

Clint Gutherson’s ugly contract stand-off with Parramatta has taken a shock turn with his agent officially withdrawing from all negotiations until after the season.

Gutherson’s long-time manager Sam Ayoub says he feels the Eels captain and his team have been placed in an unfair situation through no fault of their own.

Ayoub says he does not want this to continue to be played out publicly when the team is fighting to try and reignite their stuttering premiership hopes after three straight losses, so he has made the call to can all talks for now.

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Clint Gutherson has put off negotiations until after the season.

But what this will mean going forward is that the Eels will now be thrown smack bang into a potential bidding war if they don’t act fast after the season finishes.

This is because Gutherson will be officially allowed to negotiate with rival clubs come November 1.

It is understood a number of clubs have already made their intentions known that they will be keen for a chat if Gutherson’s situation at the Eels is not resolved.

Ayoub confirmed for now the negotiations are on hold.

“I have put it in writing to the club (on Thursday),” Ayoub said.

“I have just sent them an email saying that I think it is unfair on Gutho and the team to be doing this now.

“So let’s hold off on negotiations, there is no desperation, until after the club’s commitments are over.”

Gutherson is trying to right the ship before the finals.

Ayoub is also seething at how his client has been portrayed by some sections.

And he has “categorically” denied he ever asked for $1 million-a-season, or that he stormed out of a meeting back in May after being low-balled by an initial $750,000-a-season offer.

Ayoub said the initial offer was made via email and not at a face-to-face meeting.

He said there was also a meeting at a coffee shop at Concord in May, but Ayoub is adamant he never stormed out in protest and he maintains the meeting was held in good spirits.

“As for asking for a million bucks or asking for a solitary cent, categorically denied, and they know that,” he added.

Ayoub’s decision to call off further negotiations come after the Eels management copped it both barrels from NRL legend Cooper Cronk.

Cronk said on NRL 360 “I’d be filthy if I’m in (Gutherson’s) shoes.

Tempers are getting frayed at the Eels.

“I understand they’re a big club and under a lot of pressure at the moment, but good clubs don’t operate like this with your captain and your star player,” Cronk said.

“This should be done private and confidential and we should be guessing what’s going on, as opposed to knowing everything that’s happening.

“It’s just not run well at all.

“If you want to win a competition a lot of things needs to go right, and this isn’t the way you go about it.

“Having conjecture around your captain, your best player, and your team on the slide... it’s not well handled on all fronts.”

Parramatta CEO Jim Sarantinos did not want to make any public comments on the issue.

Gutho puts million-dollar contract rumours to bed

Parramatta has had a gutful of criticism – and losing.

Eels skipper Clint Gutherson has been forced to deny reports he’s seeking a $1 million contract as Parramatta desperately look to right the ship and salvage a season which threatens to spiral out of control.

Gutherson even suggested there was an agenda being driven to destabilise his team as three straight losses, contract talk and speculation over coach Brad Arthur’s future threatens to engulf a once-promising campaign.

Back-rower Ryan Matterson said his team had “drawn a line in the sand” and needed to perform because “words are cheap.”

Clint Gutherson’s contract negotiations are again creating headlines. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images

“We’re not here on the Gold Coast for a holiday – we’re here to do a job,” said Matterson, revealing Parramatta players had spoken about making a statement against Manly for each other, family, friends and for all of western Sydney struggling in lockdown.

Gutherson, who can negotiate with other clubs for the 2023 season from November 1, was clearly frustrated that leaked information had allegedly suggested he was seeking a new contract worth $1 million a season.

“Obviously, that’s why it (the contract figure) is out there – they’re trying to make it hard on us. When you’re down, they try and take you down,” Gutherson said.

“I haven’t thought of it, this has popped out of nowhere. I haven’t even spoken to Sam (Ayoub, his agent), that’s his job at this time of year.”

Pressed on the $1 million a year speculation, Gutherson said: “I’d love to get that but I have no clue where that (figure) came from.”

Gutherson and Matterson are among a number of star Eels who are approaching free agency, along with Isaiah Papali’i, Dylan Brown, Reed Mahoney, Junior Paulo and Marata Niukore.

Deciding which players to keep will be a complicated juggling act for Parramatta as they attempt to balance their salary cap.

But Matterson said his side’s focus was on their season, which had reached a point where something needed to change – and quickly.

Parramatta Eels coach Brad Arthur. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“The line has been drawn in the sand – we know that we want to start winning games,” he said. “To be honest, we want to make a statement to ourselves, a statement for all of western Sydney back at home, a statement for all our families and friends, it’s a statement for ourselves as individuals.

“It’s much bigger than Brad. It’s for the fans back home.

“As a squad, we know we’re more capable than what we’re producing. The frustrating thing is we know we should be winning these games.

“That’s something that we’re going to turn (around) this week. As a playing squad, we have been speaking about it and our actions need to change. We can’t keep speaking about it – words are cheap.

“We back ourselves and know where not too far off playing our best football. We are missing that start and the jump and when there’s too many points scored against us, that’s when we kind of fall apart.”

Ryan Matterson says the Eels will make a statement against Manly. Picture: Dylan Coker

An added backdrop is the future of Arthur, who’s position has come under question as Parramatta attempt to stave off another late-season fade out.

Such talk could be premature given Arthur has built the club into a consistent finals contender – 2021 will mark his fourth playoff trip as a coach – but the chatter will continue until results improve.

Gutherson went into bat for his coach while backing Parramatta’s roster as capable of winning a premiership.

“It’s been a tough couple of weeks up here but we’re the only ones who can fight our way out of it,” Gutherson said.

“After any loss people are pointing fingers to try and pinpoint what’s gone wrong.

“But Brad’s been here with us for eight years with us as a team, we’re going in the right direction it’s just about getting a win on the board and all that will go away and we’re the only ones who can change that.”

Originally published as NRL 2021: Skipper Clint Gutherson pulls out of contract negotiations with Parramatta