The last time the Eels and Dragons clashed at CommBank Stadium, fans witnessed a high-scoring affair with 84 points put on the board. This time, however, there’s more than just points at stake as former Parramatta captain Clint Gutherson makes his return to face the club that cut him loose.
Gutherson, who spent nine seasons in blue and gold, insists there’s no bad blood between him and the Eels. He’s excited for the showdown, just as Parramatta’s new recruit Zac Lomax will be eager to take on his former side.
Parramatta has struggled in Gutherson’s absence after incoming coach Jason Ryles informed him last year that he wouldn’t be the club’s long-term fullback. That decision led the 29-year-old to secure his future with the Dragons, where he has already made a significant impact, registering seven try assists.
“I’m looking forward to it—it’s going to be fun,” Gutherson said after helping the Dragons secure a hard-fought win over the Storm.
“I’ve said it before, but there were never any hard feelings when I left Parramatta. That’s just the direction they wanted to take, and that’s part of footy.
“I’m sure I’ll get a reception from the crowd at some point, but for me, it’s just another game. I’ve still got a lot of mates over there—guys I consider family now—and I’m just excited to get out there and play.”
Despite Gutherson’s amicable departure, Parramatta is yet to win a game this season, with young fullback Isaiah Iongi struggling to fill the void left by their former leader.
“You never want to see your mates having a tough time,” Gutherson added. “I’ve still got a lot of close friends at the Eels, and I’ll always support them—except when we’re playing against them. We want to win, simple as that.”
While Gutherson maintains a strong bond with former teammates like Mitch Moses, J’maine Hopgood, and Bryce Cartwright, it’s ex-Eels prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard—now with the Titans—who’s been giving him the most stick about his departure.
“Reggie’s been going on about how they let me go,” he laughed. “But when I step onto that field against Mitch, Hoppy, and Carty, I’m going in hard—I’ll be trying to take their heads off.”
