Despite reports of a five-year offer worth $7.5 million, the AFL’s Team GWS say they aren’t pursuing Parramatta’s rugby league superstar Jarryd Hayne.
Hayne is contracted to Parramatta for the 2010 season and the Eels are keen to lock in a new four-year deal.
But the NRL has been buzzing with talk that Hayne could join the Kevin Sheedy-coached Team GWS in 2012, following in the footsteps of ex-Brisbane Bronco Karmichael Hunt who will play for Gold Coast in their AFL debut season in 2011.
In fact Hayne, who was named rugby league’s international player of the year at a gala dinner in the English city of Leeds earlier this month, is so low on the AFL’s “hit-list” that the spelling of his name is still open to debate.
“Team GWS wishes to clarify that, contrary to a number of recent media reports, it has not made any offer to Jarred (sic) Hayne,” Team GWS said on Friday in a statement.
“Team GWS remains committed to providing opportunities for youth in Greater Western Sydney to represent their team in the AFL National Competition from 2012.”
Redb
Roar Guru
Sells a few papers in Sydney sums it up IMO. Non story elsewhere.
Pete
Guest
..or Union?
bever fever
Guest
I'm not so sure, but you make a fair case. I hope what you say about big NRL names linked to GWS is not true.
M1tch
Roar Guru
Player managers are the ones that do the figures, imo ive got no doubt his manager spread this story in hope to scare the NRL and also make Jarryd double think, all the managers are in the business for is themselves..he wants a bigger cut of the deal too. The story at the moment is NRL v AFL, every big name NRL will be linked to GWS from now until 2012.
bever fever
Guest
I agree thats why i reckon its the media that has made it up, not his manager. GWS or another RL club Parra has to pay more for his services to retain him, so why mention the AFL. If the AFL really wanted him they could pay above what RL could offer him.
M1tch
Roar Guru
Because the media is loving this..hayne going to another NRL team isnt a worry for NRL officals, but going to afl would be
bever fever
Guest
Why not then say Hayne has had a bigger offer from the Titans then, match it or else. Why mention GWS
M1tch
Roar Guru
Tend to agree about his manager leaking it to the media for Parra to make a bigger offer
bever fever
Guest
I reckon it was either Roy Masters or someone from the Daily Tele, no chance he was on their hit list. Would not make the grade. Makes sense it was from the DT, they are about all about forming a posse and whipping up their knucklehead readers to a frenzy against aussie rules.
Pippinu
Roar Guru
It was probably his player manager pushing the story!!
Pete
Guest
Hayne is a supreme talent, but totally untried in AFL. IF the AFL were to give $7.5m to an untried player there would have been justifiable outrage in the AFL ranks. Union made the mistake by buying highly paid publicity machines. It upset grassroot supporters and up and coming players. Imagine what the AFL could achieve if they ploughed that $7.5m into getting kids in the area to play the game. I don't think Hayne would go,but hearing that sort of money being discussed it going to interest many player managers.
M1tch
Roar Guru
Totally agree..another invention by the media and once again painting the picture of a crumbling NRL.
Firestarter Bob
Guest
Because the downside of being seen as a raider on the Eels' favourite son would have turned all of western Sydney against the AFL and GWS, they are now trying to make it clear there never was an offer. Yeah, right. I'm guessing that while no contract was ever formally offered, discussions did take place. Openly attempting to buy Hayne would have turned the GWS into the equivalent of the Hunter Mariners. The Newcastle area was given a team that they never asked for and then became hated. The Newcastle community eventually ran them out of town.