’ GUTHO’ SPARKS UP EELS
BRAD Arthur doesn’t want to say it so let’s say it for him.
If Parramatta are to make the finals this year for the first time since 2009 then Clint Gutherson has to stay at fullback.
On a Sunday afternoon when only 13,559 fans turned up to ANZ Stadium for the clash between the two traditional Sydney rivals, Gutherson gave Eels fans a real treat as he scored a double in the crucial 24- 10 win over St George Illawarra.
Bevan French also starred on the right wing playing outside Michael Jennings in his return from injury, with the two speedsters scoring Parramatta’s only other two tries.
While Arthur said only last week Gutherson’s long- term future would be in the centres following Mitchell Moses’ arrival at the club, it showed in the loss to the Cowboys last week that Gutherson just needed to get his hands on the ball. His opening 40 minutes against the Dragons was brilliant with his two tries backed up by another try- saving effort when he took down a charging Paul Vaughan and on top of that he just got himself involved at every opportunity.
“At the end of the day we just need to put the best possible team out there every week to try and win a footy game,” Arthur said.
“You know what, Gutho is just a footballer and I don’t know where his best decision is to tell you the truth.
“You just need to have him on the field somewhere.”
As good as Gutherson was, Arthur saved special praise for French who came up with a couple of cracking defensive plays on top of his try.
“He had the chance to sulk about it and he didn’t and that is the sort of kid he is,” Arthur said. “He worked really hard all week at training with Jenko on that right edge. I thought they did a great job in defence.”