Clint Gutherson bore the burden of Parramatta’s dismal campaign more than most this season as the Eels narrowly avoided the wooden spoon.
The captain battled through various injury issues to take the field each week as the club crumbled from premiership contenders to be scraping near the bottom of the ladder in just two short years.
Brad Arthur paid the price for the fall with his job halfway through this season, with Jason Ryles eventually appointed as his replacement on a long-term deal.
However, upon his unveiling, the new head coach mentioned that Gutherson’s time in the No.1 jersey could be about to come to an end.
Clint Gutherson dilemma facing Jason Ryles at Eels
Zac Lomax was signed earlier in the year under Arthur’s tenure, before highly rated Penrith junior Isaiah Iongi joined him through the doors after being crowned the NSW Cup Fullback of the Year in 2023.
The two legitimate options to take over from Gutherson led Ryles to outline how a change of position could be on the cards for the veteran.
However, Parramatta’s favourite son Nathan Hindmarsh has now dismissed the prospect of moving Gutherson out of his regular spot as he remains the best option the club has at the back.
“Gutho has lost a yard of pace – there’s no denying that,” Hindmarsh said while appearing on James Graham’s The Bye Round Podcast.
“After a long and unsuccessful year, he looks a bit fatigued…But I can’t see him going to No.9 because he’s not a hooker. No.13 – nah.
“And if you’ve lost that yard of pace at fullback, you’re safer there than you are in the centres, I believe.”
Graham stated that Ryles could be wise to avoid dislodging the skipper from his preferred position and installing a fresh face at the back during his first term in charge, given Gutherson’s influence over the playing group.
“I don’t think Ryles is going to give a s**t who has been there longer or who is liked more,” Hindmarsh replied.
“Jason Ryles is the most influential person in those dressing sheds.”
Although admitting to Gutherson experiencing a physical decline over the past 12 months, Hindmarsh remained adamant that he was the best fit for the job despite all the noise around his future.
“It’s a bit like Turbo [Tom Trbojevic],” Hindmarsh said.
“Rest him up over the off-season and I know he’s not going to gain that pace back, but I think a good off-season and a freshen up will do Gutho the world of good.
“And he’ll be back there at fullback in 2025. I think he’ll stay at fullback.”
