Announcement: Dragons closing in sensational deal to sign fullback after ‘disrespectful’ move from Parramatta

Gutherson’s future at Parramatta has been called into question.

Parramatta captain Clint Gutherson has been linked with a shock switch to the St George-Illawarra Dragons, following comments from new Eels coach Jason Ryles that Fox League reporter James Hooper has termed “disrespectful”. In his first media interview since taking over, the new Eels coach revealed plans to employ Gutherson as a lock, hooker, or utility player in 2025.

Ryles is overseeing a big Eels shake-up, with some 11 players exiting the club, including former representative prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard. The Eels have signed a number of crucial signings, including Dragons and State of Origin player Zac Lomax and rising gun fullback Isaiah Iongi, who will join from the Panthers on a three-year contract beginning next season.

While the new Parramatta coach swears Gutherson is still a part of his plans, Hooper believes asking the senior No. 1 to shift out of fullback is a slap in the face to the club captain. The 30-year-old sustained several injuries in 2024 and played the final few games of the season with broken ribs to demonstrate his resilience. However, Hooper believes Ryles’ comments about the Eels skipper playing a new role next season are intended to effectively push him out of the club.

“I found it disrespectful and confusing the way Parramatta handled that issue,” Hooper told NRL 360. “Clint Gutherson is the captain. He received the Players’ Player Award. Won the Coaches Award… I believe Gutho may also be gone because I don’t see how a player at thirty years old who has spent his entire career as a fullback would have any desire to move to a No. 13 or No. 9.

“I believe Parramatta is attempting to compel him to make a decision. So, rather than tapping him on the shoulder, as they did with RCG (Reagan Campbell-Gillard), I believe they are saying, “We love you, we still have a spot for you, we just want you to play at thirteen and a little bit at hooker.” Or perhaps off the bench. You cannot have a $900,000 bench player. “You simply can’t.”

It sets the stage for an intriguing situation at the Eels, and Hooper believes Shane Flanagan’s Dragons are in the perfect position to pounce on Gutherson, who is under contract until the end of 2025 but will become a free agent on November 1. According to the Fox League reporter, it may be in the best interests of both teams to reach an agreement that allows the Eels to release Gutherson early so he may join the Dragons next season.

Such a transfer would be another wise economic decision for Flanagan, who has already signed Valentine Holmes and Damien Cook for next season. Fullback has been an issue for the Dragons this season, and there is a sense that the gifted but inconsistent Tyrell Sloan would benefit from learning from a veteran No.1 like Gutherson.

The new Eels coach has already stated his delight about working with Lomax and livewire Panthers rookie Iongi, who has enormous raps and is expected to take Gutherson’s fullback spot next season. “We’ve got a few spots to fill, but Isaiah and Zac are really exciting inclusions for us,” Ryles said last week.

“They’ll move us a little faster around the field. Zac also adds a little X-factor.”I’m really pleased to work with him, and Mitchell Moses, Dylan Brown, and the other guys speak for themselves. It’s an exciting task that I’m looking forward to.

Ryles has already demonstrated his willingness to make significant decisions and let seasoned players go by articulating the reasons for the club’s decision to release Campbell-Gillard. “I think that was just an opportunity for both parties,” Ryles told the audience. “We reached an understanding there that was best for both of us. I couldn’t promise what the roster will look like beyond 2025, and he had the potential to extend his career right now.

“So I didn’t want to stand in his way of doing that, and at the end of the day, decisions must be made, and that’s just part of the game and what we agreed to. It’s not personal. I assumed I’d want to do what was best for him moving ahead. Then make a decision for our club in the future.”