‘Only early doors’: Eels coach Jason Ryles deflects burning Clint Gutherson question
Eels coach Jason Ryles has shrugged off criticism of Parramatta’s decision to release former captain Clint Gutherson.
The Eels are 0-4 to start the season, and will face Gutherson’s Dragons for the first time this weekend.
As he was for Parramatta, Gutherson has been instrumental for the Dragons in the pre-season, and played a crucial role in the side’s shock win over the Storm last Saturday.
Eels coach Jason Ryles and former fullback Clint Gutherson. Getty/NRL Photos
Speaking to media on Friday, Ryles said he disagreed with the criticism, but added “everyone’s entitled to their opinion”.
“We’re only early doors in where we’re going in our journey,” he said.
“That’s something that is always going to come up for discussion, especially a player that’s been as experienced as him, and done what he’s done for our club for a long period of time.
“But we’re very comfortable and pretty bullish in regards to where we’re heading.”
Clint Gutherson was a mainstay for the Eels before joining the Dragons. NRL Photos
Ryles went on to say the club appreciate everything Gutherson did, but declared he would be just “another player we’ve got to deal with” come Saturday.
The clash will have increased significance for Ryles and Zac Lomax.
Lomax played 114 games for the Red V before joining Parramatta to play centre.
Ryles played 156 games for the Dragons, and in 2023 turned down a four-year deal to be head coach.
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He suggested he had no regrets about turning down the job eventually taken by Shane Flanagan.
“I’m not going to take a job because it’s five minutes from home if it’s not the right fit,” Lomax said.
“It was one of those things. I wasn’t in a hurry to do it. It just came back to timing.
“But that’s in the past now and we’ll just keep moving forward with what I’m doing here.”
The Eels will be bolstered by the arrival of former Warrior Dylan Walker, who has been named on the bench.
