Jarryd Hayne’s arrival on the Gold Coast is one of the biggest gambles in the NRL in recent memory, but it could just be the risk the Titans need to establish themselves as premiership contenders.
I wasn’t the only one who felt the massive sucker punch when the Gold Coast Titans announced the signing of Hayne yesterday. There were absolutely no reports or rumours of the club seeking his service, especially since his former club the Parramatta Eels had been given a verbal statement that Hayne would return there once his NFL and rugby ambitions had concluded.
And while I don’t think that Jarryd Hayne can return to the form that earned him two Dally M medals, I do believe that his signing is an important one for the Gold Coast Titans.
I’m very excited to see what could possibly eventuate.
As one of the biggest names in Australian sport, Hayne’s name in itself will bring crowds to the Gold Coast, which is something they have been severely struggling with in recent years.
After the official announcement, Hayne’s impact had already hit, with ticket sales for the Titans’ game against the Warriors increasing by 500 per cent in just a few hours. Hayne is a player that will bring crowds in, and with the Titans’ performing well this year, they will be in good stead for the next few years.
This is great to hear considering their poor luck in recent seasons, particularly the Daly Cherry-Evans debacle.
In Australia we love an underdog, especially in sports, and this year the Gold Coast Titans are the underdogs of the competition. After being completely written off at the beginning of the season, the club went on a spending spree, signing up solid, workable players – but no real superstars.
Players such as Chris McQueen, David Shillington, Konrad Hurrell, Nathan Peats and now Jarryd Hayne have hit the holiday strip, not to mention the rise of young prodigy, Ashley Taylor. It’s an amazing phenomenon in rugby league to see a team on its knees one season and then rise to the top in the next, and Hayne’s signing can only be help.
While there are many positives to Hayne’s move, there are negatives that could disrupt the superstar’s newest move. For one, coming into a team in a key position at fullback so late in the season could stifle things.
Hayne’s move to the back could bring stability considering coach Neil Henry has tried out multiple players to fill the custodian role, however his lack of match fitness and muscle memory to the game could be a huge disadvantage. It’s a massive risk playing him this weekend, and things could turn nasty fast.
Furthermore, the Hayne Plane isn’t getting any younger, and at age 28 he could be hitting some turbulence soon, as we’ve seen with Greg Inglis who is a similar type of player and only one year older.
We might not even see him get back into gear until midway through 2017, if we ever do, so the Titans will be hoping he can bring in some 2014 form into his game and not crash and burn like so many hyped up signings have in the past.
Jarryd Hayne’s newest foray into the NRL is one that will be observed with great interest and expectation. Even if it doesn’t entirely deliver the Gold Coast a premiership, it will give them a desperately needed short term boost that I hope establishes the franchise for years to come.
SportsFanGC
Roar Guru
I should also add hopefully his Hayne's presence means that Channel 9 will consider playing more Titans games on FTA next season and not just bombard our screens with Broncos games each and every week.
SportsFanGC
Roar Guru
It is exciting for the Gold Coast to see the Titans getting their act together after the debacle that was Michael Searle a few season ago. Signing Hayne is a smart and bold move. He is the biggest and most well known footballer living on the Gold Coast and will raise the profile of the Titans, particularly if they can make the finals this year and then build on that in 2017. I don't think he will lack motivation to prove his doubters wrong and he will be craving game time considering he has spent hardly anytime on the field since 2014. Off-field the Titans brand new Training and Admin facility is coming along at Parkwood, the board lead by Annersley is signing sponsors and providing stability and hopefully this leads to confident and happy players on field.
bjvm
Roar Rookie
Well I wouldn't normally be excited for a regular Titans game, but I'm not missing this game. I guess that puts in perspective what he brings to the club. A JT like figure for young kids to idolise and a crowd builder. I think he will be back playing decent footy in time for the finals, if they make it...
Stu
Guest
This is a 50/50 bet. Bringing a new player in on big money can lift a team or deflate a team. He hasn't tackled anyone for 2 years, looked a bit slow to me in the 7's experiment. Gold Coast teams have had a history of signing players on big money who don't meet the hype. If the Titans get beaten this weekend, it will put the club back 5 years. If they win, and Hayne does something special, it will be a big bones. Roll the dice!
Eden
Guest
Agree with Jacko. His time off was to try out for two high intensity open running games. He will still remember how to run second man and I think his tackle bust will be stronger. Stamina may be low so I don't think he will be working hard rather picking his moments
Jacko
Guest
So many people question whether he can play very good footy after not playing League for 18mths. It's not a difficult game and Im sure he can still count to 5 and then kick. SBW had 5 years out and came bace and won a GF and Burgess seems to be playing the same as before he went anywhere. The guy is a natural athlete and will fit back in as tho he was never away as league is his "instinct" sport and is ingrained in his brain and the 7s training will only help his skill level and his decision making under pressure.
At work
Roar Rookie
I don't think we need to worry about his work ethic off the field (Eels to NFL to Rugby 7's). It's on the field where the coach needs to make sure he doesn't drift in and out of play, that's where the criticism lied when he played at the Eels. Turbo great point though that he will be very motivated to come back strong and silence all his critics
At work
Roar Rookie
Misleading headline, though at no fault of the articles author I recognise. I see only benefits for GC in this transaction, he will lift crowds, at least for the rest of the season; but will also lift the profile of the team. Channel 9 will want to televise their matches next season, meaning more sponsorship dollars for the club. I can't wait to see him back in action, couldn't care less which club has at though. And for the Parra whingers, seriously he would have preferred to come back to the Eels, but you're a basket case so you only have yourself to blame.
Scrum
Guest
Chasing another life long dream with the help of God no doubt. It appears the failed Fiji Sevens aspirant will be rushed into the Titans team despite not having played for 2 years & his first training run only 3 days out from the match. But of course the NRL is the toughest highest skilled comp imaginable- somehow it seems a little incongruous.
Albo
Guest
Yep ! And assuming he fits in with the current positive culture the Titans have now developed, his presence could very well lift the performances of the other players even further. The shot of increased confidence alone will help a number of Titans players enhance their on field performances.
smell the fear
Guest
exactly, none. he also had little impact on them commercially and through jersey sales. now that he played little NFL that is all supposed to change. Nothing like adding to your value than by leaving the NRL
Rellum
Roar Guru
Unless being seen at the pub with the right girl will help his clothing brand.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
I know I didn't bother watching them on tv if he wasn't playing
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Id rather him working on his clothing brand than be worried if he was at the pub in his spare time
GTW
Guest
I'm very happy that Hayne is going to the Titans. After what DCE did to them, they deserved a break. Having said that, DCE's replacement Ash Taylor is a great prospect, I just hope he's not homesick for Brisbane when he becomes a superstar. It's good that the Broncos haven't benefited from all of these good players becoming available - until earlier this year it seemed that they took all the good ones off weaker teams. The Titans may dilute the massive benefits that the Broncos have in SE Qld. The Titans have played well above their weight in almost every game this year, and good on them. They can't afford to slacken their effort and just look towards Hayne for points, it doesn't work that way these days.
Gav
Guest
Did Hayne have much of an effect on Parra crowds? -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Rellum
Roar Guru
I would have grave reservations if I was a Titans fan. You would have to question his love of the game if he preferred NFL and Union to League, he seems more interested in promoting his clothing brand. He had a good professional attitude based on his time at the 49ers so I hope for the Titans he brings that mind set to the club. Then there is the question of him being forced by the suits to play straight away. If the coach is ok with that then fine but if I was the coach I would want to see him in action and see just how ready he is physically for the NRL. Then there is also fitting in with the team and their combinations. I would think a few weeks on the training park would be better than just throwing him in the deep end.
Richard Maybury
Guest
I agree, he is a very smart buy for the Titans but not for his playing ability. As a commercial prospect, he will add hundreds of thousands of dollars to the Titans every year in sponsors, increased gates, memberships and merchandise. He will raise the profile of the Titans in the comp several fold and goodness knows they need that. Anything he does on the playing field will be a bonus.
The EYE-BALL Opinion
Roar Pro
Nice article ... Aside from the commercial positives, all fans will want to see Hayne succeed and put out for the Club before they pass long term judgement. He has too much to lose to not want to make this a success story and for that reason alone, he will make it work. Experienced Coach Henry is no fool and he will do whatever is best for his team. Hayne will fit in regardless for the rest of this season, the bonus will be obvious if Hayne again proves us all wrong about the negatives in being out of the game for 2 years or so. Good luck to him.
turbodewd
Roar Guru
I have criticized Hayne a lot in 2013 and 2014. However I am sure he is keen to shut his critics up and the rest of this season will be a strong effort from Hayne. He will be keen and I expect to see zero laziness. The Titans are on the up!