How is it that I can see brilliance where others see none, and flaw where others see diamond? Who, am I talking about? Jarryd Hayne, of course.
He seems a decent enough human being, and it’s not that I don’t rate him as a player. I just don’t see how everyone can rave about him as much as they do.
I’d put him on par with flash-in-the-pan Benji Marshall, but not in the same league as Billy Slater. In fact, Josh Dugan, for all his faults as a human being, is a more complete footballer than Hayne.
How can I say this, people scream at me, are you blind? Did you not see him in 2009, or in Origin Game 1, 2014? Well, I did. I saw Benji in 2005, too. What did he do after that? Throw hazy passes to the touchies, or the crowd. Was caught napping in defence, resembled a speed hump, more like, and generally sapped a huge chunk of salary cap for little reward for the Tigers.
I rate Hayne a bit above this, in that he has not really been found out, defensively, at least. But he is very hot and cold in attack. He had a stellar 2009, and was definitely the form player that year, no question. But 2010? What happened? The train derailed, the plane crashed.
2011? 2012? 2013? Where’d he go? Barely a blip on the radar, and a display cabinet full of kitchen utensils. Pretty sure he was even dropped from the Aussie side briefly in that time, too.
How can people claim he is the best, and should unseat Slater – who left Hayne looking flat-footed and slow in Game 3 – as the Aussie fullback? Pretty sure a big bloke named Greg Inglis is in his way, anyway.
Hayne isn’t actually a fullback at all. He’s a centre, or a half/hooker. He’s more like Luke Lewis than Greg Inglis, and that was Ricky Stuart’s problem with him – he had no idea how to coach him.
Not that Brad Arthur is much better, but at least Arthur doesn’t have him carrying the Eels… Oh wait, I retract that last statement.
Put Hayne in a team with Slater, Inglis, Cooper Cronk, Johnathan Thurston, Michael Jennings and he has to turn into a mixture of Dugan and Justin Hodges (read as ball-hog) to shine, otherwise he fades into obscurity. He’s about as likely to gain Immortal status as Brad Fittler or Braith Anasta.
He’s consistent when he isn’t superb, and I would pick him in any side, I just don’t think he is anywhere near as good as the media make him out to be. He’s doesn’t have Cameron Smith’s footballing mind, nor Inglis’ herculean strength and blinding speed.
So what does that make him, then? A brilliant, talented young man, who seems to actually have his head on straight, but only that.
He may even have to watch his back, because a young bloke named Matty Moylan is gunning for that blue jersey.
Andrew Bell
Guest
Brother!!!!!! Stats don't lie. Boom!!!
nayfo
Guest
I half Agreed with your story and opinion until I started Scrolling Through the Comments And seen you put KImmorley And Gower In the same class As Fittler. you just lost all creditabilty, time to give yourself an uppercut!!
Pmar91
Guest
Ben, I can see why your a rookie. Hayne is a dally m winner. 2 time brad fitter medal winner,maybe soon to be 3 time. How many of these awards has Dugan won?? He single handedly carried the eels on his back to the 2009 grand final.
Paulipaul
Guest
Ben do you actually watch any rugby league??? Your article is pathetic. I am a massive eels fan but still would of found room for brett Stewart in my blues team. Dugan better than j hayne hahahahahahahaha
mattray
Guest
Dugan better than hayne???? I stopped reading after that...Enjoy your rookie status Ben and get used to it
Clark
Guest
After Origin 3 I still would have Billy at 1, Under the high ball he is an absolute star and the way he injects himself in Melbourne's set plays and runs off Cronk is something special. Stewart is probably the best in terms of support play and finishing. Inglis is a devastating runner of the football but does need to inject himself more in my opinion, you need a guy like himself to be touching the ball the most out of any player on which ever team he is in.
Pete75
Guest
I personally don't see any immortals running around in the NRL at the moment. That includes Cameron Smith and Billy Slater. In my opinion, an Immortal is a player who stood head and shoulders above the competition. On any given day, Cameron Smith can be bettered by oposition hookers, particularly Robbie Farah, and Slater has plenty of competition from the likes of Inglis, Hayne and, when he's fit, Tedesco. Hayne isn't anywhere close to being an immortal. I'm not sure who is putting him forward as one, I'd suspect it's only die-hard Parra fans.
Scrubbit
Guest
Awkward moment when Meninga was considered for being the 8th immortal...
Scrubbit
Guest
Parrafan Definite top 8 material. Will be tough to compete with the big boppers without Peats though (never thought I'd say that). I think were close to seeing a return of the glamour clubs to rugby league high flying with Brisbane, parra, drags, and tigers all on the up and up. While melbourne will still hang around for the next two or three years, I expect the rabbits to start on a downward spiral next season, Roosters to slide as well, Manly will be interesting to watch as well with a possible exodus on their hands, although some of the younger guys are showing a lot of promise.
Richard B'Stard
Guest
We get it, you don't like Parra and wish Hayne played in your team. Not as good as Dugan, on a par with Marshall and slower than Inglis.. Do you actually watch rugby league?
john badseed
Guest
Brett Kenny, Barry Grasshopper… Wally the Immortal, equal of Churchill, Gasnier, Raper, Fulton, Changa. Just start a SOO Immortals so you can add Meninga and Paul Hauff. Fractured Fairy Tales VOR.
Parrafan
Guest
Still to play raiders twice, knights and sharks. Beyond that we have some tough games against manly, warriorsin nz and the bunnies. Considering we played last years grand finalists 3 times in the first 6 rounds and got the spoon the last 2 years running I think we are going well.
V.O.R.
Guest
"Artie and Wally were political appointments to keep Qlders happy" Where you born in 1992? Quite a shame. You missed some of the greatest moments the game has ever seen.
john badseed
Guest
Stick with the original gang of four, they were the best of the best. Changa was the obvious next in line to round out the Immortals concept. Full stop, end of discussion. Artie and Wally were political appointments to keep Qlders happy and buying RLW. Joey was a total brain snap. I don't mind journos picking teams of the decade but there won't be anyone worthy of being an Immortal until they have not only become the best player ever but have also either coached the Kangaroos to success or a string of Premiership winners . Just being a shit hot player isn't enough.
Parrafan
Guest
Ben you obviously have an axe to grind. Zero objective analysis. Of course he isn't an immortal and considering Johns was named an immortal with his off field indiscretions I couldn't care less about the title. All I know is Hayne gets bums on seats, is incredibly loyal and always has me standing up when he gets the ball. Excitement machine.
Scrubbit
Guest
Yeah very close this year. Hayne has a major hurtle to climb as well since I'm pretty sure the Eels have a tough run home and he's set to miss this weeks game. Leaving him only 8 games while playing against manly, dogs, rabbits, a possibly resurgent sharks, and a visit to the nations capital. (You can never write the raiders off in canberra). I'm tipping for the first ever dally m draw with JT and Hunt seeing as though both players regularly pick up points win or lose. With Hayne to come close, widdop and Burgess to fade, and DCE to be wrapped in cotton wool at some point by Manly halting any surge he may make.
Johnk
Guest
Cheers for the clarity there Scrubbit! Looks like a close race to the finish that could go down to the wire (hopefully they stay injury free). Hunt is playing fantastic and at the beginning of the season would never have thought him a genuine contender.
Johnk
Guest
Also forgot to add that the World Cup has actually shown what he can achieve with being able to play alongside quality playmakers as Smith, Cronk and Thurston, and not with (I hope not to offend anyone here) less superior NSW playmakers. Whilst I rate Slater and Inglis highly (especially Billy), they have had the benefit of having these classy legends to play with. Had Hayne been a QLander, it does make for an interesting notion. But I think that's for another debate entirely.
Johnk
Guest
Looks like you did your research here bbqer (unlike some others) and came up with some FACTS! And for that I give you a +1!
James Preston
Roar Guru
Why is this article not about Jonathan Thurston? I have never seen so much bloody sap for a single player as Thurston, can't even list the countless times he has given a stock standard ball to say a charging Tariq Sims to then beat 5 players and carry another 3 over the line with him in a 50m run and all the commentators and 'expert analysts' can offer is "What a player JT is"...talk of HIM being an immortal is more ridiculous then Hayne. Not to mention people saying he is better than Joey was. Hayne is a terrific player yes, he is better than Dugan but at this point in time would need another 3-4 incredible seasons before immortal status should even be considered.