Clint Gutherson needed just 22 minutes and 58 seconds to win over his St George Illawarra teammates when he first reported for pre-season training.
On Friday, Gutherson needed about an hour to prove why he already deserves to be in the conversation about being the NRL buy of the year.
Gutherson was at his energetic and vocal best as the Dragons hosted Manly in a scrimmage game in the hot morning sun at Kogarah.
It was the first time St George Illawarra’s new-look spine of Gutherson, Damien Cook, Lachie Ilias and Kyle Flanagan enjoyed some vital game together.
For a third straight pre-season, Manly and the Dragons clashed in a practice game, which was played at a 90 per-cent intensity, and even officiated by NRL referee Adam Gee.
Gutherson completed the move from Parramatta to the Dragons over the summer, and just as he led the way to the top of Mount Keira in December, the fullback was at it again against the Sea Eagles.
He barked orders, threw a floating pass for a try, and made sure the intensity levels never dropped, even though competition points were not on the line.
“We knew what we were getting with him, and he was outstanding today,” Dragons coach Shane Flanagan told this masthead.
“Just his communication, his ability to get our defensive line organised – and get the right numbers right – and just the way he competes, that’s Gutho.
“And he’s rubbing off on other people. We’re lucky to have him.
Dragons co-captain Clint Gutherson was impressive during a scrimmage game against Manly.Credit: St George Illawarra Dragons
“‘Cooky’, Kyle and ‘Gutho’ are getting better. Lachie didn’t train through November and December, and only came back mid-January, so he’s been back training three or four weeks. With each day he will get better.”
Ilias and Cook, who were both at Souths last year, and Gutherson and Flanagan will play around 20 minutes next weekend in the first official trial against the Sydney Roosters. They will play around half a game the following week in the Charity Shield against the Rabbitohs.
Valentine Holmes looked sharp at left centre, while a slimmed-down Moses Suli was a handful at right centre.
Tyrell Sloan (foot) did not feature, but is expected back for the Charity Shield, said Flanagan. Hooker Jacob Liddle also missed the scrimmage after spending the past couple of days having an infection in his hand treated in hospital.
Sea Eagles’ stars Tom Trbojevic, Daly Cherry-Evans and Haumole Olakau’atu played big minutes, but there were just as many players out with niggling injuiries.
Coach Anthony Seibold confirmed Tommy Talau (ankle) was expected back for the second trial against the Panthers, along with Nathan Brown, while Jason Saab (ankle) and Josh Aloiai (broken scapula) would return round one.
“It was good to get some work against different opposition,” Seibold said.
“I was really impressed with the Dragons and their new spine. They looked very, very good. I also thought the Dragons had a real physicality about them and probably won that physical battle this morning.”
