The Parramatta Eels position on captain Clint Gutherson is as disrespectful as it is confusing.
It’s fair play if new Parramatta coach Jason Ryles no longer thinks Gutherson’s best position is fullback at the Eels.
But the notion of playing him as a lock forward or in the middle of the field or even as a hooker seems a total stretch.
Reading between the lines it feels like the Eels won’t stand in the way if a rival club comes knocking about Gutherson come November 1.
And that looks like every chance of happening in the form of St George Illawarra.
As good a player as Gutherson has been for Parramatta it’s hard to see him all of a sudden transitioning into a lock or a hooker at 30 years of age.
The reality is Gutherson is on a contract worth in excess of $900,000 next season and is the Eels captain.
For all the criticism about his form over the last few rounds of the season Gutho was playing with three broken ribs and had a quad injury.
Parramatta forward Ryan Matterson had broken ribs and didn’t play.
Gutherson got pain-killing injections so he could still take the field.
Are they the actions of a player not invested in the club?
Which brings us to the next question.
Can the Eels really afford to have a $900,000 bench player next season?
Of course not.