Parramatta’s Clint Gutherson played in Sunday’s Grand Final loss to Penrith with a broken hand according to The Daily Telegraph’s David Riccio.
Gutherson, 28, was one of the Eels’ best in the disastrous defeat, scoring a consolation try and giving his all for the entire 80 minutes as Parramatta went down 28-12.
Adding to his tough effort, Riccio says Gutherson actually broke his hand in week one of the finals and played through the Semi Final, Preliminary Final and Grand Final with the injury.
“He hid this one from the media all week,” Riccio said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“He actually broke his hand in the first week of the finals against the Panthers.
“He then took it into the next match against the Raiders then the prelim against the Cowboys.
“Then last night he played on with a broken hand, it’s certainly not in the broken jaw class of Grand Final heroics, but he’s a fullback.
“That sleight of hand, the ability to retrieve the footy, he did a wonderful job.
“It’s a subplot from a disappointing result for the Eels, but it’s all about what they learned from it now, they’ve got that Grand Final experience behind them.”
Gutherson ended the game with one try, five tackle breaks, 163 run metres and 10 kick returns.