Even when the game was dead and buried, Clint Gutherson found a way to engage in debate with the referee as Parramatta ended a five-game losing run on Thursday.
The inspirational skipper overcame a “nervous” start against the Sharks, running for 279 metres as his side gained a crucial 34-22 win at CommBank Stadium.
Mitchell Moses led the troops around in a wonderful attacking display, while Gutherson worked tirelessly at the back for the Eels against the NRL ladder leaders.
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Speaking on Nine post-game, the captain admitted it had been a “whirlwind” period for the club after the sacking of Brad Arthur, but hopes the bad times are in the past.
Clint Gutherson during his side’s win over Cronulla. Getty
“We needed to win – we wanted to do it for Baz [interim coach Trent Barrett], we should have done it last week for Brad,” Gutherson said.
“It’s been a whirlwind two or three weeks there, but we just wanted to come out here and play the footy we wanted to play and we did that for 80 minutes.
“I was a bit nervous and jittery there at the start, I fumbled one on the line. I just needed to get back into the groove. We probably made it a bit hard on ourselves late there, but it doesn’t matter how you win.
“I just can’t wait to get in there and have a beer … it’s been a long month.”
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Parramatta’s season had been a tumultuous prior to their win against Cronulla and there was little Gutherson could have done over the past few weeks as his mentor and close mate in Arthur was axed after a lengthy tenure at the club.
There was also not much Gutherson could have gained from arguing with Ashley Klein after the full-time siren, but that didn’t stop the Eels workhorse from questioning a decision that denied Bailey Simonsson a try in the closing stages.
Clint Gutherson argues with Ashley Klein at the end of round 13. Nine
“There was a little bit of a high tackle on that one that Simmo dropped and I was just questioning why it wasn’t a penalty try,” he said.
“I always question the refs, I always push the fine line – I just want to win.”
Simonsson was denied a try by the Bunker late in the contest, dropping the ball just inches before the line, but Gutherson had questioned the high contact in the lead-up.
Parramatta will have a lengthy break before their clash against old rivals the Bulldogs on the June 10 public holiday.