St George Illawarra Dragons head coach Dean Young has confirmed what many had already believed to be true with Clinton Gutherson to no longer be the club's first-choice fullback in 2027 due to the arrival of Scott Drinkwater.
Speaking on SEN, Young confirmed that Drinkwater will be the first choice when fit and available, but confirmed that 'Gutho' still has a place in this team.
“It's not going to be fullback if ‘Drinky' is fit and playing well, but he obviously can back up Drinky,” Young said.
“I'll give him an opportunity in the pre-season to train in the centres, on the wing, and even coming off the bench as a ball-playing 13.
“He's just a footy player. He's a competitor and his energy is infectious for the group.
“He'll be in the team somewhere, and we'll see where we land.”
Many believe Gutherson will land in the centres, and if so, will most likely retain the captaincy.
However, if he finds himself out of the starting 13 altogether, those duties will have to fall elsewhere, most likely Dylan Egan, who led the team out in their most recent victory over the Wests Tigers.
Elsewhere in the team, Young has also confirmed that while young gun Hamish Stewart will develop into a star lock forward, he will remain in the back row for 2027.
“He'll end up being a ball-playing lock forward, there's no doubt about that,” Young continued.
“At the moment, the team needed him to go to back row because he moves so well defensively, and we needed to improve defensively.
“He's still only young, and I think at this stage of his career, him playing 80 minutes in the back row and not having the collisions that he'd probably feel and cop in the middle will be good for his long-term future.
“I reckon the next year or two he'll be on the edge, but eventually he'll move to (lock).
