Clint Gutherson has long been the fittest player at Parramatta, but an off-season operation has pushed him into a “tailored” training regimen starting in 2024. However, the captain of the Eels believes it might be a good thing. The always dependable No. 1 underwent surgery for a knee injury after the team’s four-year run in the NRL playoffs came to an end due to a multitude of injury and suspension crises that ended their aspirations of winning a premiership. The team finished outside the top eight the previous season.
But with the slate wiped clean and the focus now returning to ending a lengthy title drought, Gutherson believes he is in the best position to lead the Eels to glory.
“The body is really good, it was a bit of a tailored pre-season for me with surgery at the back-end of last year,” he told Wide World Of Sports.
“It’s something I haven’t had in a while, which has been good – you’re not just rushed straight into the deep-end and start running. I just got back into it last week with everything and the body is feeling probably the best it’s felt in a couple of years.
“I’m looking forward to start playing – we’ve pulled back on all the fitness stuff at training and just focusing on footy stuff, which is where we want to be.”
Gutherson has been the most consistent player in the blue and gold over the past five years, which saw him earn State of Origin selection for NSW and come agonisingly close to winning the coveted Dally M Medal in 2020.
Even though he acknowledges that he will never fully master certain parts of his game, the 29-year-old recognizes there are still some that need to be worked on. “There are always things I can improve on, it doesn’t matter how old you get,” Gutherson stated. “Whatever your reputation may be, you need to be able to adjust to teams and games; great players are able to do this. “I’m not any different; there are many areas I’m still trying to improve on and work harder at.
No one’s game is ever going to be finished, even mine. “Everyone has areas for improvement, and I’m no exception. You work on those things because you’ve spent so much time on the training field.
“I’m lucky enough to have some great players around me to make that a lot easier.” Gutherson hopes to play in at least one trial match before Parramatta’s NRL debut on Saturday, March 9, against longtime rivals Canterbury.
