EXCLUSIVE: Phil Gould tips Clint Gutherson for move away from Parramatta after Isaiah Iongi signing
Updated . First published
Incoming Eels coach Jason Ryles has locked in his first signing with young fullback Isaiah Iongi committing to the club on a three-year deal.
But his signing has muddied the future of incumbent fullback Clint Gutherson, and according to league legend Phil Gould, the sharks are circling.
"There's a fair bit of scuttle around as to whether or not he moves from Parramatta," Gould said on Wide World of Sports' Six Tackles with Gus.
READ MORE: Souths in feud with NRL over Latrell suspension
READ MORE: Manly enforcer cops ban after nasty double blow
READ MORE: Aussie's redemption win secures record US Open numbers
"There's a lot happening in the market ... there's plenty of scuttle. I'm not even saying it's true.
"But this is the sort of stuff that's going on behind the scenes everywhere, clubs looking to change their roster."
Clint Gutherson could be on the move from Parramatta, according to Phil Gould. NRL Photos
Gould said there were several clubs enquiring about Gutherson's availability, with one "making noise" about wanting his signature. He wouldn't be drawn to elaborate on which club.
Contracted to the Panthers until the end of the season, Iongi will join the Eels ahead of the 2025 season.
Iongi's signing represents a straight swap between him and Panthers-bound Eel Blaize Talagi.
Gould said Iongi's signing was a "big move", and believed the 21-year-old Panther is a fullback and only a fullback.
Watch the 2024 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.
Isaiah Iongi will join the Eels on a three-year deal from next season. Brett Hemming via Getty Images
"It's an interesting swap, isn't it?," Gould said.
"Blaize Talagi, who was touted as Parramatta's rising star in the outside backs — he's gone to the Panthers, which is a great buy for them, [but then] they lose Isaiah Iongi going the other way towards Parramatta.
"Isaiah Iongi, to me, is a fullback and a fullback only. I think that's not only his preferred position but looking at him, I think that's his best and only position — and they've got Clint Gutherson there."
It's not the first time a position switch has been touted for Gutherson. Last year, he even told the club he'd be happy to play elsewhere on the field if they were to buy a fullback.
Iongi's signing is a straight swap between he and Blaize Talagi. Getty
Centre, lock, or even hooker had been floated as options, but Zac Lomax's move to the Eels next year is likely to be into the centres.
Gould said he would be "shocked" if Gutherson left the Eels but believed he'd be an "outstanding" buy for any club, even at this stage of his career.
"He's a leader, he's competitive – I can't understand why Parramatta wouldn't want him. If I was going to Parramatta as a new coach, he'd be the first bloke I'd sit down and talk to, to find out what's happening there, what's going on, and where they need to go.
"It would be hard to imagine Parramatta going without him. I think that's been recognised by other clubs who are looking at a new coach going there, the shuffling of their roster … what's gonna happen to Gutho? Where's he going to go?
"They've got (Dylan) Brown and Mitchell Moses in the halves, they bought Zac Lomax, who we assume is going to play centre.
"I'd be shocked if he left Parramatta, but it's a funny game, rugby league."
Gutherson spent three seasons as a fringe first grader at Manly before moving to the Eels for 2016. After three seasons bouncing around the backline, he made the permanent switch to fullback for 2019, replacing Jarryd Hayne.
Highly regarded as a future talent, Iongi was a U19s Queensland Maroons representative.
He was also named the 2023 NSW Cup Fullback of the Year and the 2022 Panthers Jersey Flegg Cup Player of the Year.
