Eels skipper Clint Gutherson is adamant Parramatta’s premiership window hasn’t closed despite some key departures and conjecture over the futures of halves Mitchell Moses and Dylan Brown.
Meanwhile, new Dragons hooker Jacob Liddle admits the lack of time with his spine in pre-season will be a challenge heading into his first season with the Red V.
Read on for the latest news in NRL Off-season Central.
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GUTHERSON KEEPS EELS’ TITLE WINDOW OPEN DESPITE EXODUS
Eels skipper Clint Gutherson is adamant Parramatta’s premiership window hasn’t closed despite some key departures and conjecture over the futures of halves Mitchell Moses and Dylan Brown
Reed Mahoney, Isaiah Papali’i and Marata Niukore have all left the side after their grand final loss to the Panthers, while the club is battling to re-sign Moses and Brown for 2024 and beyond.
Speaking with Channel 9, Gutherson shot down the doubters and backed coach Brad Arthur to build a squad capable of competing for the title each season.
“I think our premiership window has been closed for the last 15 years,” Gutherson told,” Channel 9.
“We don’t really pay much attention to what other people say.
“We trust that the club and Brad (Arthur) and the staff are putting the squad together that they think can win it.”
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Gutherson admitted he won’t re-watch the grand final loss to Penrith, but will use the pain of defeat to continue to drive his premiership ambitions.
“I still haven’t watched it back and probably won’t to be honest,” Gutherson said.
“But look it just motivates you more.”
While the Eels have lost some notable players, they have picked up former Raiders grand final captain Josh Hodgson and Gutherson is excited by what he can bring to the Parramatta side in 2023.
“He was one of the best hookers for the last 15 years and he has played for his country and one everything,” Gutherson said.
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“He has been in grand finals. he has lost a grand final and he has still got that burning desire to try and get there again and try and win.”
Gutherson is in the midst of his first pre-season since becoming a father and believes it will give him the balance to put his life and football career in perspective.
“It adds a lot of things to your life,” Gutherson said.
“Perspective is one of them. You sort of bypass a lot when you don’t have kids.”
DRAGONS RECRUIT’S SPINE DILEMMA
New Dragons hooker Jacob Liddle admits the lack of time with his spine in pre-season will be a challenge heading into his first season with the Red V.
Fullback Cody Ramsey has battled illness, while Ben Hunt and Talatau Amone have been on leave after the World Cup, meaning Liddle will have about a month before pre-season games start to nail down his combinations with his fellow spine players.
“It’s hard at the moment with Cody being out and having a hard time,” Liddle told The Daily Telegraph.
“Our halves Ben Hunt and Junior aren’t here yet due to the World Cup.
“That’s going to be the most important thing, getting that relationship with my halves as soon as possible. There won’t be a whole lot of time going into the season.
“I’ll sit down and have a coffee with them and go over things as soon as possible – I’m keen to see where we can go this year.”
After scoring 12 tries in 74 games for the Tigers since his debut in 2016, Liddle is excited for the challenge of becoming the Dragons’ long-term No.9, despite only signing a one-year deal.
“The boys have been great, it’s new scenery and a change,” Liddle said.
“There was a bit of a brick wall at the Tigers and with Api (Koroisau) coming across, I was due for a change.
“I’d love to be a long-term hooker down here. McCullough has retired, so it’s opened for me to take.
“Zane (Musgrove) has come over with me. Moses (Suli) was at the Tigers, so was Aaron Woods and Moses Mbye.
“I’m just having a red-hot crack and working hard every day. There are no more excuses – it’s all on me.
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“There’s some familiarity here, but it’s also been so refreshing to get going at a new club.”
Liddle revealed the fitness levels of the Dragons squad had impressed him after switching from the Tigers following the 2022 season.
“I’ve never been to a club where everyone has been this fit,” Liddle said.
“We do a lot of running. The boys can run, I’ll tell you that.
“I was trying to keep up with them at the start of pre-season training, but now I’m getting back up there.
“I don’t know what’s really happened over the past few years at the club.
“But at the moment the vibe and the positivity around the club has been good.”
