Clint Gutherson opens up on fullback battle with Tyrell Sloan, phone call, what did he say, Eels exit, press conference, rugby league news

Dragons rookie Clint Gutherson insists he has ‘no hard feelings’ towards anyone at the Eels for the way his time at the club ended, with the veteran fullback opening up about the position to captain St George Illawarra and Tyrell Sloan’s place next year in his first major interview since the big move.

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Gutherson spent nine seasons at Parramatta and led them to a grand final in 2022, but it was made clear he would not be their fullback next year, leading him to sign with the Dragons for the three subsequent seasons.

“I have no hard feelings towards anyone at Parramatta,” he said on Friday, declaring he was “all in” with the Dragons.

“Some of the people involved with the club are some of my closest friends and people I will always be able to talk to.

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

“It’s a new start here and it’s special. The first day I was very nervous about training for the first time in a long time.

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

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

“I was a little more nervous for this one because I’m a little older and I didn’t know how well some of the younger kids were going to go for it.

“I knew if I did what I had to do, I would get the victory. It’s not about winning, it’s about setting the standard.

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

Actions speak louder than words in football, and fellow recruit Damien Cook was impressed by what he saw from the fitness enthusiast.

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

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

“No wonder he’s been such a great player for so long. He has already shown great leadership on the pitch and set standards within the club, so he is doing his part very well.

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

“I didn’t even think about it,” he replied when asked if he wanted to do it.

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

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

Sloan’s place was never assured, with the youngster being demoted to reserve for one game last season.

But Gutherson says there is room for both men, pointing to the fact that many talented full-backs have been forced to play out of position, with the veteran already exchanging ideas with his younger teammate.

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

“I immediately called ‘Sloany’ when I signed up here, had a chat with him and told him where I thought I could help him.

“It’s his place. He’s been playing there for a few years now.

“He was under enormous pressure as a kid, so to be able to help him 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 of great help to him. ‘a big help.

“I’ve already latched on to him from my time here. We spent time together and questioned each other.

“A lot of the top teams have a lot of full-backs in the squad, and I don’t think we’ll be any different.”