Clint Gutherson Signs with St George Illawarra Dragons, Makes Derogatory Statement, and Heads to Manly Sea Eagles
In a whirlwind of controversy and confusion, NRL star Clint Gutherson has made a shocking series of moves that have left fans and pundits alike reeling. The Parramatta Eels captain, widely regarded as one of the league’s top fullbacks, has seemingly signed with the St George Illawarra Dragons, made a public derogatory statement about the club, and, in a surprising twist, agreed to join the Manly Sea Eagles — all within a matter of days.
The Initial Signing with St George Illawarra
The first bombshell came when news broke that Gutherson had signed a contract with the Dragons for the 2024 season. St George Illawarra, which has been underperforming in recent years, made a bold move in an attempt to revitalize its roster with the acquisition of one of the NRL’s best fullbacks. At first glance, the signing seemed like a coup for the Dragons, who were looking to bolster their spine with a proven leader and talent like Gutherson.
However, things quickly took a strange turn when the 30-year-old made a series of inflammatory comments about his new club. In a press conference held just hours after the deal was officially announced, Gutherson expressed his displeasure with certain aspects of the club, calling the organization “a mess” and accusing them of “mismanagement” and “lack of direction.” The comments, though perhaps reflecting a frustration with the club’s current trajectory, were widely seen as unprofessional and disrespectful, especially considering the deal was brand new.
Gutherson’s words created an uproar in the NRL community. Fans of St George Illawarra felt betrayed, while media outlets quickly seized upon the scandal, questioning the future of the deal and whether the fullback would even see out his contract with the club. Despite the uproar, the Dragons’ management remained silent on the matter, leaving many to speculate about what might happen next.
The Sudden Shift to Manly
Just days after the explosive press conference, in an even more unexpected development, it was revealed that Gutherson had agreed to terms with the Manly Sea Eagles. Sources close to the Sea Eagles confirmed that the fullback had reached a deal to join the club for the 2024 season, leaving St George Illawarra high and dry.
The move has raised eyebrows, as it is highly unusual for a player to jump from one club to another so quickly, particularly after publicly lambasting the organization they had just signed with. It is also significant given that Manly had not been previously linked to Gutherson, and their roster already boasted a solid backline. The Sea Eagles, however, appear to be banking on Gutherson’s leadership and ability to turn a match around, hoping that his presence will elevate the team’s performance next season.
Reactions and Fallout
The fallout from these events has been nothing short of chaotic. Parramatta Eels fans, who had seen their captain become one of the most reliable and respected players in the league, are left stunned by the suddenness of the decision. The Dragons’ fanbase, on the other hand, feels humiliated by Gutherson’s public criticism and the subsequent betrayal.
While many questions remain — including the specifics of the contract terms between the Sea Eagles and Gutherson, and whether there will be any legal ramifications for the deal with the Dragons — the drama surrounding the star player has become the talk of the NRL.
In the coming weeks, fans will be watching closely to see how the situation resolves itself and whether Clint Gutherson’s future in the NRL will be as tumultuous as his recent moves suggest. For now, it’s safe to say that his next chapter in rugby league will be one to remember.
Be the first to comment