Parramatta’s Jason Ryles era is barely six weeks old, and yet the club’s playing roster has already undergone its biggest overhaul in decades.
Gone are the likes of Blaize Talagi, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Daejarn Asi, Maika Sivo, and as of Wednesday night, Clinton Gutherson.
And league great Billy Slater believes Ryles will have to make many more tough decisions as he looks to end a premiership drought that’s approaching four decades.
Only three weeks after the club allowed him to test the waters with rival clubs, Gutherson – the club’s captain, fullback and soul – has joined an already busy departure lounge.
Ethan Sanders, Matt Arthur, Ofahiki Ogden, Makahesi Makatoa and Morgan Harper are also waiting in the lounge with their boarding passes.
Free agents from Friday, Sean Russell, Joe Ofahengaue, Luca Moretti, Joey Lussick, Brendan Hands, Wiremu Greig and Haze Dunster are standing in the check-in queue.
Waiting for their bags in arrivals are Zac Lomax, Isaiah Iongi, Dean Hawkins, Joash Papalii and Jordan Samrani.
Gutherson still had a year to run on his contract, and the club had told him it wasn’t in a position to offer him an extension.
New Eels coach Jason Ryles. Getty
“There’s a lot of things that go on in footy clubs, a lot of decisions need to be made and none of them are really easy,” Slater told Wide World of Sports on Thursday.
“Gutho’s a wonderful player, and I’m sure the Eels would feel that he’s of value to to their club. Any club would feel he’s of value because he sets a great standard. He’s one of the hardest working players in the game.
“But the game and clubs are a business … and I can understand both parties. I can understand where the Eels are heading.
Eels allow Gutherson to speak to rival clubs
“They’ve got a new head coach and they’re trying to move in a direction to break a drought of many decades to win a premiership. If they feel that they need to change the way their salary cap looks, they need to change a few dynamics in their footy team, I can understand that.”
In his first press conference as Eels coach, Ryles said Gutherson remained a “big part” of his plans, and was an “admirer” for the former Origin representative.
The arrival of Iongi from the Panthers was virtually a straight swap with Talagi. Many believed he would take over at fullback some time next season, forcing Gutherson into the centres.
Hunt released by Dragons
Gutherson is expected to sign a three-year deal at the Dragons, where he will likely continue to don the No.1, forcing Tyrell Sloan to the wing.
Slater said he believed the opportunity to continue as a fullback long term would’ve been the catalyst for Gutherson to pull the pin on Parramatta, with whom he’s made 206 NRL appearances.
“I can understand Clint Gutherson wanting to play a position that he best plays … I’d imagine that would be a big part of the reason,” he said.
“There are a lot of different things that go into it. I think everyone will move forward in time, and you never know.
“You’ve got to look at the glass half-full – it might be the best decision for both parties.”
Eels teammates will return for pre-season in the coming weeks with some familiar faces missing.
