The running joke at Parramatta has always been the curse of Peter Sterling's No.7 jersey – but Jarryd Hayne's famous No.1 jersey is proving just as tough to fill.
Since Hayne departed the club the first time at the end of 2014, the Eels have churned through nine different fullbacks, including the Hayne Plane himself in his blue and gold second coming.
No.1 option:: Eels outside back Clint Gutherson.Credit:Dion Georgopoulos
With all the uncertainty about the Eels halves – Corey Norman is understood to be thinking of taking a pay cut to join St George Illawarra and Mitchell Moses could be enticed to a move to Brisbane – Clint Gutherson hopes to quickly end any debate about who will be fullback.
Gutherson was coach Brad Arthur's Mr Fix-It last season after returning from injury in round seven, slotting into the halves, fullback and centre.
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But Gutherson told the Herald his wish was settle on fullback and declared: "I'll put my best foot forward and try to make it my own."
Parramatta would be shattered to lose Gutherson, the 24-year-old with funky hair often in tears after some heavy losses in 2018.
Taking it hard: Clint Gutherson after an Eels defeat last season.Credit:AAP
The only thing that could deny Gutherson his wish to wear the No.1 is the lack of centre options, especially with their most established outside back, Michael Jennings, reportedly being shopped around.
"I've been training at fullback and trying to get the combinations going," Gutherson said. "I finished the season at five-eighth and centre. I like fullback, I like roaming around and popping up wherever I can. It doesn't bother me.
"I think I turn up in the right spot and feel like I've got that footy head where I can [sense] something coming.
"It can get hard at times when you're chopping and changing. It's good and bad for me, but I'd like to lock down a position and play the one spot. I'm happy to do what Brad wants and what's best for the team.
"'Bevy' [Bevan French] is there, there's a couple of the young boys, Will Smith can play there, but I'll put my best foot forward and try to make it my own.''
According to Champion Data, only Newcastle have tried more fullbacks (14) during the same period.
Parramatta sorely missed the big kick returns of winger Semi Radradra last season, but they were also worse off for not having an established and settled fullback.
Eels coach Arthur said last month he had no idea who would wear the No. 1 in round one. After Hayne's first exit at the end of 2014, the club experimented with Reece Robinson, Will Hopoate, Chris Sandow, Norman, French, Smith, Gutherson and of course Hayne on his return. Hayne had hoped to play there next year before talks broke down.
Gutherson remains without a deal beyond next season and says he nor the club are in a rush to nut out a deal.
"I don't know, I want to get to the season," said Gutherson, when asked about where he would be in 2020.
"The club isn't in a rush to push it either. We'll see what happens. I'm happy here. I've built up a good thing with the coaching staff and the players.
"I'll see what my options are, but at the moment I'm happy ripping into pre-season."
As for the immediate future of his halves, Gutherson quipped: "At the moment they're both there and we want them to be there. We've seen what they can do together and how they can play together. As a team we need to help them out and not leave it those two to do everything.
"If they're there at training that's all I worry about and all I can worry about."
Having a big body like Blake Ferguson could not be under-estimated, said Gutherson, just as the club never under-estimated the loss of Semi Radradra and his work early in the tackle count.
Gutherson hopes to continue to learn as a leader from Tim Mannah and the senior players, and would relish the chance if given the nod to help skipper the under-performing western Sydney club.
Christian covers rugby league for The Sydney Morning Herald.
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