“It’s a real masterstroke”: NRL greats heap praise on Dragons for Gutherson signing

The St George Illawarra Dragons are on the brink of signing star fullback Clint Gutherson after a deal was reportedly struck on Thursday morning.

Gutherson, who was permitted to exit the final year of his deal with the Parramatta Eels, was one of the first to be shown the door as part of a rebuild under new coach Jason Ryles.

With Gutherson’s consistency and incredible effort in recent years, the decision came as a surprise to many but the Dragons didn’t take long to secure his services after he became available.

His pending arrival at the Dragons has been universally acknowledged as an astute move, with SEN’s Bryan Fletcher giving his tick of approval to the deal.

“I have no doubt, if he gets his knee right and (the Dragons) medical staff get him right, he’s going to be a great acquisition for them,” Fletcher said on SEN 1170 The Run Home.

“(you) don’t have to worry about him, when you’re a forward and they kick downfield, you know what’s going to happen which is awesome.

“He’s there in support, he can kick goals… I think he’ll get the Dragons Player of the Year for 2025.”

SEN’s Mat Rogers also revealed his thoughts on the signing and why he believes Gutherson can begin a culture change at the struggling club.

“St George are trending in the right direction but they’ve lost two pretty key players,” Rogers said on SEN 1170 Sportsday.

“I don’t want this to come across the wrong way but I’ll say it, I haven’t seen a St George player play with real passion for the jersey, not like Gutho plays, consistently play with that passion like, ‘This means something to us, we’re going to go out and take this victory’, that’s the Gutho mentality.

“I think Gutho going to St George in the position that they’re in right now, it’s a real masterstroke.

“I don’t really care where he plays I just think he’s going to make a huge difference to that squad.” Gutherson reportedly put pen to paper on a deal worth $2.5 million over the next three seasons.