Parramatta Eels fullback Clint Gutherson last night claimed the Jack Gibson NRL Coaches’ Award at the 2017 Ken Thornett Medal, the Club’s annual presentation night held this year at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse.
Selected and presented by Head Coach Brad Arthur, Gutherson was honoured to receive the accolade.
“I am pretty honoured to receive the Coaches award to be honest,” Gutherson said during the night.
“There have been a few big names before me that have received this, and especially with the year that we have had and are still having, I am very honoured and privileged to be a part of this squad.”
Click through to see all the award winners
Selected by Arthur, Gutherson said he reward was not what he plays for, but it was a big achievement for himself.
“It’s pretty big for me personally [to have BA choose me as the winner]. A lot goes in to a rugby league player, and to get rewarded is not what you play for but its something to be happy with and it’s a big honour for Brad and the coaching staff to pick me,” Gutherson said.
Arthur had praise for the footballer in regards to his preparation and professionalism off the field.
“’Gutho’ is the first person into the office every day for work, he is the first person into video to see where he can improve, he texts me at 2am after a game, whether he thought he played good or bad, to find out how he played.” Arthur said during the night.
“He has been moved from pillar to post to for the team and he has never not once complained. He just does what is best for the team.”
“He is one of the players that prepares to the best of his ability each week. It’s the stuff that people don’t see that excites me about him in particular.” Arthur added.
“It is all the extra efforts, the extra work that he does, the professionalism that he lives in his life and it’s replicated on the field.”
Gutherson was ruled out with a season ending injury, but is doing whatever he can to support the team off the field.
“I don’t know why but they did,” Gutherson said on the fans embracing him.
“It is good to have their support, not just for me, but the whole Club and the boys every week.”
“Especially going into the Finals it is fairly big for us.”
“It was a big win last week against the Broncos,” Gutherson added.
“The boys are looking good and hopefully they have a win going into the Finals.”
“I have just been trying to pick up the morale and have a laugh when I can and if they like it, and I can just be around the boys, it’s something that id like to do moving into the Finals.”
“I can’t be playing but ill be there every step of the way.”
