Jarryd Hayne has been named for the Eels’ match against the Tigers this weekend and, given how much trouble the Tigers are in, Parramatta has been installed as favourites.
However, do Parramatta deserve a player of Hayne’s calibre? Simply, no. Parramatta have had instability in the coaching and administration ranks since the end of 2006 when Brian Smith left.
In Hayne’s career he has been coached by five separate coaches and he has had to carry the team for the majority of his career.
Parramatta have been lucky to have Hayne, without him they wouldn’t have made the finals since 2007, let alone their grand final appearance in 2009.
Some Eels fans have been saying Parramatta should release Hayne and replace him with younger players as he’s chewing up too much of the cap.
That is a ludicrous idea as without Jarryd, Parramatta will remain firmly rooted to the bottom of the ladder. There is a noted difference in Parramatta’s on-field attitude when Hayne is on the field.
Hayne, like Hindmarsh before him, has papered over the ever increasing cracks in the Parramatta side. Sure the Eels still struggle when he’s on the field but they do threaten more when he plays.
In my opinion Hayne is in the same position Hindmarsh used to be in. His team relies on him too much.
At his best Hayne is the best fullback in the game and can tear any team to shreds but it is just not practical for him to perform at that high level week in, week out with the team he has supporting him.
The constant bickering off the field hasn’t helped. The board is divided but it seems that is slowly being resolved ever so slightly.
Ricky Stuart is doing everything he can at the moment to build a team for long term success and it seems he may be the club’s first long-term coach since Brian Smith.
But at the moment the club doesn’t deserve Hayne. Realistically, the Eels are blessed to have had Hayne at the club since he was a teenager.
However, in the end the Eels don’t deserve to have Hayne. He’s the hero the club needs but doesn’t deserve.
Doug Graves
Guest
Well his loyalty is noble but in all likelihood if he wants to win a premiership it's not going to happen at the Eels before he retires. He's gonna end up like Tim Brasher, earning big bucks with little to show for it.
Doug Graves
Guest
True Bluey and I'm not taking that honour away from him but can he perform to that or near that level week in and week out like the Cam Smiths, Greg Inglis's etc of the game? So far he hasn't and the clocks ticking on his career.
Scarecrow1810
Guest
It has already been mentioned before but I think it should be kept repeating: if you put any of the other so-called superstar fullbacks in the current Parramatta team, they would also struggle big time. If you look at the dominant teams that are in the top 4, they have a good spine at 1, 7 and 9. Plus these teams have a forward pack that have the grunt to take on the opposition. Some of you have criticized that he switches off sometimes during games. That sometimes he may lack the heart. But what do you expect when you have Sandow playing below par since they took away the only thing he was good at i.e. the shoulder charge, then you have Ben Roberts - who doesn't have a clue what he is doing most of the game and inevitably ends up making a stupid play, Keating - tries hard but very predictable and one-dimensional, then add the bunch of rookies that Sticky is trying to blood but really they are just boys playing with men. Hayne needs quality players around him to perform. He has proven it at State of Origin level. Why? Because he has quality teammates. Footy is a TEAM game. You need a TEAM to win. Hayne has a pretty bad team to carry at the Eels. Give the kid a break.
Bluey
Guest
..."he wouldn’t be able to cut it on the big stage." Hayne has won MOM and Man if the Series awards at Origin level, arguably the highest level. So what are you on about??
SuperEel22
Roar Guru
He grew up with the club and loves the club. I know loyalty is few and far between these days but I don't know if he could face Parramatta or even the Parramatta crowd if he left. I think that's why when ever you hear stuff about Hayne's contract negotiations it usually involves Union. He's got the chance to forge an amazing legacy at Parramatta.
Xsnowmann
Guest
Thats the best "white elephant" assessment thats on everybody's lips..agree.
turbodewd
Roar Guru
Hayne perhaps feels safe at Parra, he will get the big bucks and isnt expected to win. And he gets rewarded at Origin time where he seems to show up.
Doug Graves
Guest
I can't for the life of me understand why Hayne would want to stay at Parramatta. Why stay there and spend the best years of your career racking up wooden spoons? My suspicion is that he enjoys being a big fish in a small pond and knows he wouldn't be able to cut it on the big stage. Anyway maybe Sticky can turn Parra around in a couple more years, I have no love for Parra but I'm actually feeling pity for their fans these days.
Chris
Guest
I feel for Hayne, much like ET should have a ring but can't leave his team. Would love to see him in the blue and white if Benny leaves or even if he doesnt. Hayne can play with good players around him, would be AWESOME behind the dogs pack
Apples with apples
Guest
Yeah but how would the other great fullbacks fare if they were in Haynes' shoes week after week, mth after mth and year after year with a team that doesn't turn up. I'd say it'd affect their game too. But look at what happens when he's around other good players like in Origin. He always plays well and a lot of times plays a starring role.
turbodewd
Guest
NO, some of the comments are positive. However, what you say doesnt add up, the ability of a fullback to take a bomb or CHOOSE not to contest it has nothing to do with the forwards.
Bob
Guest
Dugan may look like he runs harder, but the stats still show that Hayne makes more meters per return then Dugan. So while Hayne may not run as hard at the line, when he gets to it he pushes through more often. Average Meters per Run Dugan - 9.46 Hayne - 10.47
Andrew
Guest
All of these comments are quite negative hayne could have easily went to a team with a lot of talent and excelled there. Can you imagine any of the great fullbacks with his team. Billy slater would be nothing without his spine or his forwards , Ben barba would've never won the dally m without his pack( Kasiano, Pritchard etc.) Greg inglis couldn't carry his team in one game ( the prelim final last year) but they are all worshiped while hayne who has carried parra for years including carrying them to a grand final is still continually criticised. We can all see what happens when the eels are without hayne they've lost 8 straight, yes you can say they still lost with him but at least each defecit wasn't 20-30+
turbodewd
Guest
Dugan actually returns kicks at full pace! Hayne returns them at medium pace, does a stutter step 2m before the defence. Its so lame! The Lame Train! Dugan is a better returner.
Supremeel
Guest
Jarryd for sure has the talent, I just wish he was more aggressive in his plays. Dugan for example has an aggressive arrogance about the way he plays. In the end, Jarryd has had to try and do it all himself, so hopefully things will get better and we can get to see his awesome talent more often. One thing is for sure he is loyal to his club, so I'll always be a fan.
turbodewd
Guest
ferret, i agree 100%. I started to smell a rat about Hayne earlier in the year, I couldnt help but notice he was making poor defensive reads at fullback. Then I dug deeper and watched the early Eels v Bulldogs, v Tigers game. Hayne was terrible. The ball would go one way, he would head the other. Then I had a look at youtube and looked up the highlights of Eels games and looked at all tries conceded. I found some Hayne howlers! HOWEVER, I also vividly remember the Eels @ Titans game. Now in that game Hayne took an offensive bomb for a try and on his goalline fielded a grubber with one hand, it looked awesome. But he muffed the first and last bombs of the game, the latter one he refused to contest, he let it bounce, it allowed the Titans to take the win. Hayne has talent, there is no doubt, but sometimes he goes slack. He often does little for the Eels, considering he is the highest paid thats a joke. He has the ability to be a great fullback but is inconsistent.
ferret
Guest
When I look at Hayne I see an incredibly talented footballer with the heart the size of a pea. Hayne is a "fair weather" footy player who plays like a god when they're in front, but neglects the one-percenters when things get tight. Making him captain was, imo, the biggest mistake Ricky made. In addition he seems a bit "aloof / distant" from the other players. I think Tim Mannah would be a much better captain. A lot less talent but a lot more heart.