World’s best Hayne not going to Western Sydney AFL
By Steve Jancetic, 11 Nov 2009 Steve Jancetic is a Roar Pro
- Tagged:
- AFL, Billy Slater, Craig Bellamy, Greater Western Sydney, Greg Inglis, Jarryd Hayne, NRL, Rugby League
The man voted the best rugby league player on the planet insists he’s going nowhere, with international footballer of the year Jarryd Hayne quashing speculation of a move to the new Greater Western Sydney (GWS) AFL franchise.
Hayne was awarded the game’s highest individual honour at a gala ball in Leeds on Monday night, the Parramatta sensation beating Kangaroo teammates Greg Inglis and Billy Slater for the gong.
The prize comes as recognition of one of the most spectacular patches of form ever witnessed in the game, the sort of form that has him in the sights of newly-appointed GWS coach Kevin Sheedy.
While Hayne’s blend of speed, skill and athleticism would make him a natural fit to follow former Brisbane fullback Karmichael Hunt in making the code switch, the Parramatta star said he is committed to rugby league and signing a new four-year deal with the Eels.
“I don’t know anything about it,” Hayne said of the reported approach from the AFL.
“I spoke to my manager and he knew nothing so I don’t know where it’s come from. 0
“All I know is when I get back I’ll be signing with Parramatta, I really don’t know anything about all that.”
Despite being named the game’s best player, Hayne has been a largely peripheral figure during Australia’s charge to the Four Nations final with the Eels star struggling to come to grips with his switch to the wing.
Hayne did most of his damage in 2009 from the fullback position, but with Slater having a mortgage on the green and gold No.1 jumper, Hayne has been forced to settle for a spot on the flanks.
“Obviously it’s been a bit tough, I haven’t played wing since Origin (for NSW) and it’s been a long time between drinks to the form I showed at fullback,” Hayne said of his Four Nations campaign.
“I’d love to (play fullback) but Billy’s earned his spot. He deserves his spot. Obviously there’s a healthy challenge there with me playing fullback as well.
Hayne was a favourite for the award, which is now in it’s second year with Slater the inaugural winner in 2008.
His Origin performances for NSW when he played on the wing were something to behold, yet they paled in comparison to the six man-of-the-match performances in the space of seven weeks which pushed Parramatta to within 80 minutes of premiership glory.
“Some of the things I’ve done I don’t even know I’m doing and that’s how it looks,” Hayne said of his 2009 form.
“That’s why when I score great tries I get carried away with the celebrations – I’m just like a fan in the crowd going ‘what did I just do’ and wanting the replay to come on to see what I just did.
“I just feel very lucky, very blessed and very humbled to be in the position I am and to do the things I do because the thrill I get is something you can’t compare.”
Hayne (fullback) was joined by Kangaroos teammates Inglis (centre), Cameron Smith (hooker) and Johnathan Thurston (halfback) in the team of the year, with Kiwi duo Benji Marshall (five-eighth) and Fuifui Moimoi (prop) also making the cut.
Surprise Four Nations finalists England had three starters with Wests Tigers forward Gareth Ellis (second row) and Kevin Sinfield (lock) joined by international rookie of the year winner Ryan Hall (wing).
NRL premiership-winner Craig Bellamy won coach of the year and Australian Shayne Hayne referee of the year.
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PJ said | November 11th 2009 @ 3:47am | Report comment
Why would a player voted the best in footy, who is on tour in England and France want to play a game in Melbourne?
Kurt said | November 11th 2009 @ 4:11am | Report comment
And whilst we’re on the topic of people who were zero chance of ever signing with the AFL WS team, I’d just like to confirm that neither myself nor my manager have been approached by the AFL. I can also confirm that my cat Jess, the next door neighbour’s kid and the homeless guy who hangs around our local petrol station are also not aware of any approaches at this stage. Thanks.
Pippinu said | November 11th 2009 @ 7:09am | Report comment
Kurt
Never say never – I have already passed on to the GWS coaching staff an account of your two games of Rugby Union in Melbourne – which might be enough to garner some interest.
AndyRoo said | November 11th 2009 @ 9:09am | Report comment
Typical sports speak, pretending to be loyal to your current employer until your contract runs out so you don’t cop stick from the fans.
You will be in a GWS shirt in no time.
BigAl said | November 11th 2009 @ 10:08am | Report comment
Well, I have actually been approached . . .
not sure what it was all about !
The Answer said | November 11th 2009 @ 4:37am | Report comment
Apart from living in Penrith, what puts Michael Jennings on this so called wish list? I’ve never seen him kick a ball more than 10 metres and he is super quick over 100 metres but can’t see him doing it for 2 hours.
Personally, I think most of the world is bored with the union v league debate and these newspapers are hoping to get a stay of execution by beating up AFL v League.
Mick from Giralang said | November 11th 2009 @ 5:02am | Report comment
I think you’re right…but I also think we’re in for a hell of a lot more of it over the next couple of years.
Michael C said | November 11th 2009 @ 7:58am | Report comment
the papers create their own story……because someone has falsely ‘reported’ an approach from the AFL…..which hasn’t happened,
in ‘paper speak’, they now continue to refer to ‘reported approaches by the AFL’……
which didn’t occur,
but WERE reported…..even though they haven’t occurred.
It all sounds way too ‘New Idea/OK’ magazine style journalism where an entire 3 page article and cover story can be created from a single out of context quote by a friend…….heck…..just look at the Bec Hewitt love interest story!!!
The Link said | November 11th 2009 @ 8:56am | Report comment
So is it the agent lying or the newspaper?
Hard to think of what profession has more integrity really.
Pippinu said | November 11th 2009 @ 9:02am | Report comment
Good point.
BigAl said | November 11th 2009 @ 10:12am | Report comment
It is the agents job to. . . ‘never say never’!
AndyRoo said | November 11th 2009 @ 9:12am | Report comment
This seems to have replaced the old “he could play in the NFL or their has been some intrest from overseas rugby clubs” lines that managers use to pump up the perceived demand and value for their players.
Pippinu said | November 11th 2009 @ 9:17am | Report comment
Yes – I’m sure that’s at the heart of it.
In that context, Osbourne trash talking the AFL is just another way of getting the message to Hayne and his manager: boys, we’re not falling for that one!!!
MyGeneration said | November 11th 2009 @ 7:29am | Report comment
The Australian has run a story that actually brings some sanity to this topic.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/different-types-for-unlike-games/story-e6frg7mf-1225796259755
Especially recommend the comments of Dr Nathan Gibbs, who might be the only person really qualified to speak on the physical demands of both sports. He compares AFL body types to 1500M/3000M runners, and NRL to 400M runners. Now you don’t see 400M runners going up to 1500m or vice versa.
Pippinu said | November 11th 2009 @ 7:39am | Report comment
Yes – saw that this morning – good analogy.
Horses for courses, as they say.
M1tch said | November 11th 2009 @ 8:43am | Report comment
Interesting they are after Jarryd Hayne, Michael Jennings and Jamal Idris..3 western sydney juniors all 3 of islander/aborginal heritage.
simonjzw said | November 11th 2009 @ 9:08am | Report comment
I think you’ll find the WS team will focuss its efforts at the next generation of sports stars. They’ll be looking at 15 year olds from all other sports and inviting the best into special academy programs.
Getting to them at this age will allow WS time to teach them the skills and train them to adapt to the different physical demands of AFL Football.
I don’t think we’ll see too many established stars being targetted
Cracker said | November 11th 2009 @ 10:08am | Report comment
Yeah it’s all a bit of a wank this stuff about getting the stars of league to play top level AFL. Karmichael might be a borderline pick but at least he’s played the game at a high level when he was younger. How can these names be thrown around of possible AFL targets when most of the blokes they are talking about never kick a ball in the NRL? Surely it would be worth knowing if a potential recruit is not only a fine athlete but also a high level kicker.
oikee said | November 11th 2009 @ 10:31am | Report comment
Mate, they are taking the road that was well travelled by rugby union, if we buy their stars, the game will fall over, and dont beleive the crap that sheedy has nothing to do with anything, hes a full-blown afl goose,
and he say’s he likes parra, / poppycock, any code into a area would say that, but we all know its tripe. And he silently fuels the fire by saying, we are after the best sthletes.? He’s a jerry atric and a shit stirrer for the AFL, think of the guy that use to say, “pigs arse”. Sheedy is a clone of him. This is how it might pan out, he will cause that much strife in WS , he might be lucky to get out in his wheel-chair.
Mate, like i said, they left Perth to flounder, all codes should now be targeting Perth, and we will, because all the big wigs read my posts, they know the oikster is light years ahead of the game.
I already have the NRL being a feeder comp for AMNRL, and STH Africa as our breeding ground, they like the oikster, and is why we now have a 80 million commission building on the go. Team oikster, me and the Hulkster are brothers baby.
Redb said | November 11th 2009 @ 11:11am | Report comment
Breaking News!!!!
World best AFL star Garry Ablett is rumoured to be talking to the Sydney Roosters NRL club.
An unnamed source close to the Roosters and known to Sydney’s Daily Telegraph has been talking to a Steggles chicken employee who said that if they sign up Garry Giblett – Steggles will kick in 5 million dollars.
Mick from Giralang said | November 12th 2009 @ 12:33pm | Report comment
The way the Roosters have been going, they’d could do a lot worse!
oikee said | November 11th 2009 @ 11:34am | Report comment
Good ole Steggles.
Mate the Roosters just got rid of one idiot. Please, no AFL players to league, they are not good enough. And we have not got the time or resouces to toughen them up. . Nice guesture.. Look, you just worry about the big K, knocking your prety boys down to size, we gave you a pretty decent player, just to show you lot how ordinary your game is compared to the brutallity that is rugby league. Now heres a tissue, use it Redb,
You want some news, Ozzie and team oikster are teaming up to take on the AFL infection in WS. Not long now.