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The positives and negatives of the Jarryd Hayne move

Roar Guru
15th October, 2014
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No one expected this to come. Absolutely no one. The NRL’s best kept secret was loudly revealed at around 10am on Wednesday. The current Dally M Medalist of the NRL, Jarryd Hayne, is on his way to the NFL.

Who would’ve painted this picture two weeks ago?

Many opinions have been shared on the shock move and many people seem to be critical. I’m not a huge fan of Hayne. I find him always complaining when there is no need to, he is extremely arrogant and I don’t think he is as good as people portray him to be.

But one thing you cannot deny, is that he’s supremely talented.

Amid the news, as an avid NFL fan, I automatically thought about how he would fit in the NFL, and exactly how successful he could be. Feelings aside about him, I surprisingly have a shocking interest in his opportunity to play in the NFL, because I think he may just make it.

Hayne is a supreme runner of the ball. Absolutely devastating at his best. He can make defences look silly, and is a handy ball player also. But what are the relevant positives and negatives of this move?

Positives

Does he suit the NFL’s running style?
I think his running ability can make him a deadly runner of the ball. Remember, in the NFL, all runners are provided blocks and only need to spot gaps to run through. Although Hayne’s metres are mainly made from destructive running on his own, can he hit a gap if given the space?

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Just cast your mind back to the 2013 State of Origin series. In Game 1, he hit a devastating ball from James Maloney to peep through a marginal gap and score a great try. I think his hole running isn’t first nature to him, but I’m sure the athlete he is, he will be able to make the adjustment.

Which position does he suit?
I thought hard about this topic. Where would he play in the NFL? Two options came to mind, with his particular set of skills. Wide receiver or a kick returner. Imagine him running behind blocks off a kick-off. Imagine him one-on-one with a cornerback, being able to isolate him to make a catch, and use his strong running ability afterwards.

I think these are the most realistic options as I think he is an offensive player in the NFL, as opposed to the defensive side of the ball. Kick returner may be his best option.

The risk
He has no contract. He has no guarantees. But if there is anything I think about our sports over American sports, it’s that the Americans tend to neglect how athletic our players are. If he is given the right position, under the right system, he may just make his mark on the NFL.

Hayne could possibly start a trend with Australian athletes who think they can fulfil lifetime dreams also. No doubt, it’ll be a tough ask, but with hard work put in, the right coach and system, the risk may just be worth it.

Negatives

All his positives, are his negatives also
The risk of going over unsigned, his lack of experience and his positional play may all go against him. If you think about it, he has more of a mixture between a running back ad quarterback told as the fullback of the Eels. How he will adapt to the NFL with predominately just running the ball at a short given time? It may play against him.

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If he doesn’t make it after his trial, what does he do? Come back to the NRL? I understand his childhood dream was to play in the NFL, but playing Madden on a couch and the game in real life, is a whole new level.

The small things that matter
All NFL players have been playing the game for at least five years and over. They know the ins and outs of the games, and the motions are instincts to them (i.e placing toes in the inbounds area before sliding out). All these small instinctive things may count against Hayne as he will continually be learning the rules of the game. I hope this doesn’t play a big part of his change, but it just might.

American sporting culture
I remember reading an article about Hayne, saying how the NFL asked players to celebrate, but if he celebrates a try in Australia, it’s called “arrogant and cocky”. Maybe he was hinting something when he announced his decision to join the American-styled culture of sports?

But I don’t see it as a positive. All Australian players who excel in successful American leagues have all had experience in the culture. The fans, the hype, the pride and the passion. Patty Mills and Andrew Bogut all did time at college before they made the NBA, so they had good experience.

Can Hayne adapt to it all? Or will the culture effectively make him feel like he is out of his depth and feel intimated? It is possible, even to athletes such as Hayne.

Personally, I think he has the skills to make it. If he is drafted into the correct team, to cater to his skills, who know what he can do with the pig skin in hand.

I hope for Australian up and comers that his move is successful. For years, American athletes have thought, just because their sports earn the most exposure and the most fame, their athletes are more superior. I think Hayne can surprise some players with his athleticism and raw skill. If this move is successful it just might open the lanes for many more Aussie juniors keen on the sport.

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If it doesn’t work out for him, then he will always be welcomed back to the NRL. I condemn the risk he is taking, and think maybe the task is too big at hand, but I hope he proves me (and many others) wrong.

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