Why Clint Gutherson is so valuable to the Parramatta Eels

Clint Gutherson is everywhere. The fullback seemingly has the ability to superimpose himself into every frame of every game he plays for Parramatta week after week and season after season.

If there’s a linebreak made, guess who is there jutting up the inside lane screaming at the top of his lungs for the pass? If there’s a ball to be held up in Parramatta’s own in-goal area, you can bet that the hand trapped underneath will be Gutherson’s amongst a mass tangle of bodies. 

Why Clint Gutherson is so valuable to Parramatta Eels

The Eels’ captain exhibits the type of never-say-die attitude which every coach claims their team has in spades or is striving towards possessing. He’s that indispensable presence whose value is unquantifiable, until he’s gone.

“When we played the Warriors two weeks ago and we got flogged, that was the first game at Parra since I’ve played that I haven’t played with him,” Bryce Cartwright said when appearing on the latest episode of The Sporting News/YKTR’s Ebbs and Flows. 

“And I felt so lost.”

MORE: Parramatta Eels forward Bryce Cartwright reflects on ill-fated Titans stint

In the English Premier League, lighthouses are all the rage right now.

Liverpool’s assistant coach Pep Lijnders used it to describe how Fabinho operated for the Reds in the centre of the park back in 2019 – a calm head within the chaos.

Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta recently used a similar analogy for Arsenal’s record signing Declan Rice.

“I see him like a lighthouse,” the Spaniard explained.  

“He is willing to put light in others and improve others and make the team better and that is a huge quality.”

This term could easily be applied to Gutherson, who highlights every potential pitfall and moment of opportunity to attack for his side throughout the 80 minutes.

“He coaches the 12 other blokes on the field,” Cartwright said.

“He tells everyone what to do and where to be at the right time.”

After his place was called into question at the start of the season with rumours swelling of the Eels wanting to find a fullback who had more x-factor, Gutherson has responded with a stellar campaign.  

He has scored 16 tries in 17 appearances, while also providing nine assists and making 13 linebreaks to go with his untold number of decisive defensive actions which often can’t be found on the stat sheet.

Alongside Mitchell Moses, the duo has formed an indelible partnership for Parramatta. Yet while it is Moses who is often touted to be in charge of steering the ship around, even he will submit to the command of Gutherson.

“Mitchell will have a cry to the ref, and he will pull him straight in line… it’s little things like that,” Cartwright smiled.

Since making the switch from the Northern Beaches over to the Eels in 2016, Gutherson has been ever-present for Parramatta.

He has failed to make over 20 appearances or more in just two seasons throughout the years, while racking up double figures for both tries and assists for four straight campaigns. 

“The effort he puts into his game on and off the field is something I haven’t seen before,” Cartwright said.

“He’s ultra-reliable, a competitor and a leader as well,” J’maine Hopgood added. 

“When he talks, everyone listens.” 

Reece Walsh praises Clint Gutherson for his defensive work

Although Gutherson often doesn’t receive the credit he deserves for his attacking output, it doesn’t mean he goes unnoticed by those in the game.

While he is categorised as a toiler at the back when compared to the likes of Reece Walsh and Latrell Mitchell, the Queensland fullback admitted he had attempted to emulate Gutherson when it came to doing the little things which mattered to the team away from the glare of all the highlight reel flick passes and cut-out balls.

“I try to study and watch Gutho as much as I can,” Walsh said earlier in the year.

“He is one of best defensive fullbacks in the comp. You watch him and he is always on his bike working his butt off for the team and saving more tries than some teams are scoring.

“The way Gutho moves at the back, the way he talks to his middles and the way he gets in the defensive line and is always there saving tries…is something I am slowly trying to get into my game.”

Clint Gutherson is the ‘heart’ of Parramatta Eels

The 28-year-old’s willingness to do anything necessary for the team to win also caught the eye of NSW coach Brad Fittler, who recalled Gutherson to the representative arena for Origin III this month.

His exile of sorts, after featuring for the Blues in the centres in 2020, is just one of many obstacles he has had to overcome during his career.

“He’s had to deal with a lot of adversity too, he’s overcome the ACL’s,” Cartwright continued.  

“He doesn’t look that big on TV, but he’s all muscle. His preparation before training… he’sstrong in the gym, he can lift a s***load. 

“His intensity at training is very high. It’s like he’s playing a game and he just doesn’t shut up.

“Gutho is probably the most important player in our team. He’s the heart of the team, he’s the glue and he’s one of the best blokes you’ll ever meet.

“He’s a larrikin as well. He’s always bagging someone out and that’s the culture we have at Parra – someone always cops it.

“It’s a pretty tight-knit group and Gutho runs the ship.”