Jarryd Hayne in action during the Week 3 Playoff NRL match between the Bulldogs and the Parramatta Eels at ANZ Stadium in Sydney, Friday, Sept. 25, 2009.The Eels beat the Bulldogs 22 – 12. AAP Image/Action Photographics, Robb Cox
We asked for your opinion, and you gave it to us. Jarryd Hayne has beaten a hot field to win the Roar Sportsperson Of The Year award. And let’s face it, 2009 (or at least five months of it) has been all about the Hayne Train.
Parramatta went from laughing stock to premiership runners up all on the back of the coming of age of a player who now faces the challenge of living up to the hype for the rest of his career.
Hayne always had the talent, but whether he had the work ethic and consistency were the big doubts over him until the second half of this year.
When things started to go well for Parramatta a few months out from the finals, it quickly became apparent that Hayne was at the centre of nearly everything.
His floating role worked far better than the failed switch to five eighth at the start of the season and when he scored a sublime chip and chase against the Wests Tigers at the SFS to win one of the best games of the season the Kings Cross drive by shootings seemed a long way away.
A player who twelve months before couldn’t even make the Australian side was suddenly being compared to all the greats and he compiled a highlight reel over a dozen matches which certainly played back like one.
However, his stint with Fiji was credited with adding an element of a humility to a player who previously had been accused of being overly brash and too eager to pat himself on the back for a job well done.
But what made Hayne’s game change was his sudden work ethic and his team mates ability to get him the ball when he wanted it. The whole Parramatta side grew from Hayne’s confidence and this was best shown in the halves pairing of Jeff Robson and Daniel Mortimer.
Admittedly the season didn’t end with any sort of fairytale finish with the Storm shutting down Hayne in the final, and their efforts will be studied by every NRL coach over the summer months.
As Peter Sterling shrewdly noted at the height of the Hayne hype ‘the challenge for Jaryd is to be spoken about in the same way 12 months from now.’
But now is not the time for prediction, but rather reflection, and Hayne certainly captivated Australia’s sporting public this year.
So 2009 ends for Jaryd Hayne with the Roar’s Sportsperson of the year to go alongside his Dally M and International Rugby League Player of the Year award.
What a way to round out a trifecta!
Poll results
[poll id=”61″]
Jethro
Guest
LK - the problem with Hyne is he is a lazy trainer and this does reflect in his "going walkabout" at times in games. He is a natural ,gifted sportsman but he now needs to put his ego aside and put in the hard yards on the training paddock. Imagine what he could do if he decided to involve himself more often in th game.
Mick from Giralang
Guest
Triathlon must be one of the toughest sports, physically and mentally.
bozo
Guest
Roar Sportsperson of the year can't even make it into the national team in his prefered playing position! Check the ballot papers!
Tony Tannous
Expert
Hard to begrudge Hayne, who had an outstanding second half of the season after copping a hiding in the press in the early going. Credit to his Fijian crew for helping get him back on track. Hard to forget that amazing stepping run past nine dragons at Kogarah in the semis - brilliant feet. And like many leagies he loves his football - he'll be appearing on Fox's Matchday Saturday at 5pm Saturday. Dell, Lote and Robbie Farah have already been on. Both Schwarzer and Cahill were brilliant for the Roos and for club, while Hooker's effort will live long in the memory. One sportsperson worthy of more adulation this year was Sam Stosur, who I thought had an outstanding season, finishing with a ranking of 13 after starting the year at 52. She won her first title in Osaka, was a finalist in LA, a semi finalist at Roland Garros and made the third round in Melbourne and Wimbledon. She took some big scalps along the way (Safina, Serena, Wozniacki, Dementieva). It was a real breakthrough season, and the hope is she can go on and make it into the top 10 and consistently challenge for titles.
Tom
Guest
How didn't Craig Alexander poll higher? Winning one of if not the hardest sporting events in the world for the second year running deserves greater accolades - at the very least it is surely greater than Cadel Evans' single world championship win.
katzilla
Roar Guru
I'd say the opposite for who you'd rather kick the ball to though Andrew, and on a side note Slater was made to look ordinary by the Kiwi backrowers in the first 4 nations game. I will say though, I'd take a Slater off day over a Hayne off day. When Hayne gets presured into mistakes he just disappears.
Andrew Sutherland
Roar Guru
Any back heading to the tryline with just the opposing fullback to beat would be hoping it's Hayne and not Slater.
Barking Glider
Guest
Where's Ian Robson now? He was CEO for the Auckland Warriors and then ran the Super League in England. Is he at Hawthorn or Essendon?
Rod
Guest
He would've done better had sheens played him at fullback just once, I couldn't believe it when he played Gidley there against France. He got stuff all ball during the whole tournament.
Jay
Guest
Probably sarcastic, but Brian Waldron of the Storm was a former St. Kilda man. I can recall it being a victory of RL when he was appointed.
Whataboutthatone!
Guest
What game are you watching??? Poor defence. I would be more inclined to comment on Slaters sometimes "poor handling"!
LK
Guest
I'm a lapsed league fan, and he is one of those players I love to watch. I dunno where the "goes missing in rep footy" comes from. In SOO this year he was NSW's best by the length of the field.
The way it is!
Guest
Hayne's is over rated in my books. He had a very good streak into the finals but when it really mattered that he stand up to be counted ie Grand Final & rep footy, he went missing. He can't tackle so is not a complete player. Also some of those tries he scored and set up was mainly due to very poor play from the opposition which made him look like a freak which he is not. He artifically inflated his price by having a good 10 weeks of footy & trolling the old line about code switching. I look forward to analysing his form next year as he won't be anywhere near the messiah he is made out to be.
Jay
Guest
how he didnt win the golden boot (nor was he nominated) baffles me.
Rod
Guest
Go the eels, fantastic last 4 months of the season, Hayne deserved to win.
Mick from Giralang
Guest
Steve, does this make him he highest paid player in the NRL?
Andrew Sutherland
Roar Guru
A magnificent sight when he's in attacking mode. Unfortunately he has a poor defence for a fullback. I'm sure he'll improve that part of his game. If you could choose the fullback playing beside you in a grand final? Billy Slater thank you.
The Answer
Guest
Inglis had a pretty quiet year by his standard for large parts, he also had a fairly long enforced lay off. Inglis is a better player but the year belonged to Hayne.
The Answer
Guest
Why would they need Jaryd Hayne when they have Grant Mayer! Mayer's signing has been talked up as major victory in the code wars and let's face it you don't get out of work former CEO's to take a commercial manager's role every day of the week.
Luke W
Guest
Not for mine, sorry. A champion player would have stood up when it counted most. Hayne went missing in the Grand Final, and if it wasn't for Fui Fui Moi Moi, Parramatta would have been embarrassed on the big stage. Greg Inglis showed he is the best player in the NRL right now, and a better contender than Hayne for the Roar Sportsperson of the Year.