After viewing his performances in the Indigenous All-Star game and Round 1, I actually came away optimistic about Jarryd Hayne’s prospects of returning to elite status in the NRL in 2013.
Some, if not all, of the speed and evasion were back and his intensity and involvement were up.
I began to psychologically prepare myself for the time when I’d have to recant earlier statements about him not living up to expectations.
But then Round 2 came along and Phil Gould went out of his way to help me make my point, not being shy in criticising Hayne’s lack of involvement.
It’s always been a problem, but Hayne’s moments of transcendence on the football field have previously enabled fans and members of the media to conveniently forget the weaknesses in his game.
Now, with a year under his belt to recover from injury, there are no excuses left.
Unfortunately, Hayne is still missing the point, as revealed in comments he made recently.
Yes, it’s admirable that the man is trying to take responsibility, but he clearly needs more guidance in how to become a truly influential player on the football field on a regular basis.
Hayne spoke of not taking opportunities, which brought him here:
“A bloke like Darren Lockyer was one of those captains I always enjoyed watching. When he was under the pump he’d always pull out the big play and do something special.”
No, Jarryd, he didn’t always pull out the big play.
Hayne is falling into gambler’s bias; only remembering the successful instances in order to support his argument, which seems to be that he’s not pulling off the special play when he’s supposed to.
That entirely misses the point: players like Lockyer, Andrew Johns and Allan Langer failed thousands of times in last-tackle situations. Kicks over the dead-ball line, passes to a player who was marked, being tackled trying to get over the line.
But it didn’t matter. These people played the numbers game: ask enough questions and you’ll eventually find the answer.
Jarryd Hayne has always been a rung below the game’s elite because he doesn’t understand that with his level of talent, the big play will produce itself given enough touches with the football.
I don’t know if Jarryd reads this website. Nor for that matter Ricky Stuart. But the directive should be clear: demand the ball, don’t worry about being “special”, and get involved. As often as possible.
Bryan
Guest
If you take a look at Haynes stats on super coach since 2010. He has better stats than most players, slater included. I think people need to watch parra games a bit more. Hayne has the best cut out pass in the comp, slater can't even pass a ball ( over rated is that slater ) Inglis should be fullback for QLD even though he's a new south welshman
Cowboys supporter
Guest
Ive always had a soft spot for d eels but i can say ive never been a Hayne fan. The reason to that is his always trynin to do something when not needed, if ur a fullback, play like slater, inglis, barba, bowen, etc. Leave d playmakin role to those specialised in it, sure come in n help n get involed in it, but not every set mate. Chris sandow n roberts r very talented players, let them do there job... As for u hayne, do ur job as a fullback, if ur not sure, watch a billy slater game mate
Blaze
Guest
JARRYD HAYNE round 1 171 run meteres, 1lb assist, 6 tackle breaks, 3 tries round 2 158 run meteres, 1 lb asist, 6 tackle breaks, 1 offload round 3 153 run meteres, 2 lb assists, 2 try assists, 5 tackle breaks, 1 offload BILLY SLATER round1 130 run meters, 1try asist, 2line breaks, 1 try, 7 tackle breaks, 1offload round2 140 run meters, 1try assist, 1offload, 4tackle breaks round 3 140 run meters ,2line breaks, 2 try assist, 2ofloads, 2tackle breaks people need to stop listening to gus gould. those stats suggest that hayne runs more meters, scored more trys, assisted more line breaks, made more tackle breaks then slater while slater wins in offloads, line breaks and try assists slater stats are just as equal as haynes, so why doesnt any1 pick on the "golden boy" of rugby league (billy slater), ill tell you why! because gus gould loves slater more then he loves his own wife. ill admit hayne hasnt been playing at maximum potential but i dont believe he deserves the critiscism that he continually recieves due to the majority of footy fans being brain washed by the opinions and agenda of commentators
billfriggs
Guest
He runs diagonally left across the field, fakes to step off his left foot then steps off his right, after a while they worked out he doesn't actually step off his left foot. He also throws in the occasional goose step. He needs to sit down with gus gould and discuss some alternate options!
Snowmann
Guest
As I have said somewhere before, EVEN THE SUN SHINES ON A DOGS ASS SOMETIMES, that to me explains his '09 form. And the way people build him up, you'd think he was Buttercup.
stormtrooper4
Guest
cooper cronk anyone?
george tamate`
Guest
Jarryd Hayne is my fav player .. but i gotta agree its like he never turned up to those games where he wasnt involved in much just like you said hes gotta demand the ball . and eventually something good will happen
Haz
Guest
Agreed. What Hayne also misses is that these big-time players, Lockyer, Johns, Langer, not only made the big players, but they also pulled off the 1%-ers. They worked on the flaws in their game, they didn't just make the fancy plays, but played consistently good football. They also had great work ethics. Hayne needs a role model like Des Hasler or Geoff Toovey--players without the same level of raw natural talent, but who worked as hard as humanly possible, and fought for every inch of turf.
turbodewd
Roar Guru
Where Gould will craft a new Jarryd Hayne. Hayne can be 25% better than he is today.
MG Burbank
Roar Guru
Irrelevant question, Collo. Agree or disagree with the points I'm making - they stand on their own.
eagleJack
Guest
Also on Phil Gould. He thinks so lowly of Jarryd Hayne that he is currently tabling a multi-million dollar deal to woo him to Penrith in 2015......
eagleJack
Guest
Can you honestly not see what I am saying? Hayne, in a spine with Widdop, Cronk, and Smith would not nearly have to do as much as is required of him at the Eels. He would simply do as you say of Slater and that is "he still puts himself in the position to be used, if needed, if not, then he trots back, and prepares to get into position again". Hayne doesn't have that luxury. He is the ONLY player on the team who can create anything. He doesn't play a normal fullback's role. But is required to rove constantly and get the ball in his hand to conjure up plays. He alternates between a 1 and a 6. This leaves him often in poor defensive positions when he returns to fullback. If Hayne played the role of Slater at the Eels then I'd suggest they would only put themselves in a position to score 1 try per round. Slater is a great player, but he would also be the first to say it is the players around him that help him look great. That's what I meant by "looks better". He doesn't even have to think about getting into the frontline and trying to create plays. That is left to the class of Cronk and Smith. He just injects himself when required. Quite simple really. Hayne can only dream of having a support cast like his.
Tom
Guest
Come on MG give the kid a break and give it a rest aye
Terry Kidd
Guest
Hayne is lazy, simple as that. Smith, Cronk, Slater, Lockyer, Inglis, Reynolds, Thurston, Pearce, Cherry-Evans ..... none of them are lazy. Idris ... another who is lazy.
Morfs
Guest
It's not about who "looks better" courtesy of the spine, it's the effort the player puts in elsewhere on the park that truly marks the differences. Slater busts his gut consistently. Sure, he does not always get involved in Storm plays, but he still puts himself in the position to be used, if needed, if not, then he trots back, and prepares to get into position again. This is how Slater fulfils the numbers game MG was referring to. I rarely see Hayne do that.
eagleJack
Guest
Hmm sharing a spine with Roberts, Sandow and Keating or Cronk, Widdop and Smith. Who is going to look better? Its a tough one.
Renegade
Guest
Slater would still bust his guts for the team though.....you almost feel that it all just gets too difficult for Hayne sometimes. Last thursday night was a perfect example.
turbodewd
Guest
Well I made my opinions on Hayne's "hustle" in defence recently. I will watch Thursday night to scrutinise Slater and Friday night to scrutinize Hayne. I will post the results. Hopefully Hayne UPS his workrate and shows us the champ he should be.
planko
Roar Guru
Look at that great eagles pack on the weekend . Take an injured Watmough out you have players over 33 and nobodies.... Most people would have rated the current manly pack behind the eels and the start of the season. I think he has a care factor problem.
Pot Stirrer
Guest
I thought Hayne was given to much praise for his efforts in round 1. All he did was back up to score the try's. I think he looks unfit and hes definatley lost his pace. As a fan of Hayne but not the Eels ive lost patience with him waiting to rediscover the form/potential that made him who he is.