When he left the NRL for the brighter shores of America and the NFL (which of course turned out to be positively un-bright), Jarryd Hayne was at the peak of his rugby league powers.
While the star fullback might not have been a peerless player – the likes of Johnathan Thurston, Greg Inglis, Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk saw to that – he was as good a player in the NRL. A second Dally M medal was proof enough of that.
Fast forward through the failed stints in the NFL and Fiji’s rugby sevens team to today, and question marks surround Hayne’s form heading into the 2017 season.
There’s no doubt he’s a key to the Titans’ hopes this year, but there are concerns over just how effective he can be.
Will he be able to build a productive on-field relationship with his halves, Ash Tylor and Kane Elgey without treading on either of the young guns’ toes? More importantly, can he regain the form that saw him named the NRL’s best player on two occasions?
The answer is “yes”.
First off, the signs were positive last year. Hayne was certainly not back at his peak, but there were moments that had fans’ mouths watering. A crunching tackle here – no doubt a product of the weight he had to put on with the San Francisco 49ers – a dazzling step there.
Most notable, of course, was the game-winning field goal against the hapless Tigers at Campbelltown Stadium, which showed Hayne has lost none of his appetite for stepping up when his side needs him.
Make no mistake, the Titans need more of the same from their star fullback in 2017.
While Taylor and Elgey are both extremely promising, neither has the big-game experience of Hayne, a man who led Parramatta to a grand final and the Blues to the rarest of State of Origin series victories. The youngsters don’t yet have what it takes to drag a side into the finals.
Hayne does. He’s done it in the past with Parramatta, and he’s going to do it again with the Titans this year.
Hayne has reportedly shed the kilos for the upcoming season, getting him back towards a nimbler, lighter weight more suited to the NRL rather than the chunky and bulky physique which is a trademark of the NFL.
With a bit of luck, though, he’ll retain much of the strength and explosiveness gained over in the States, giving him an edge on his opponents this year.
As a guy who was never exactly weak, that’s an ominous prospect for the rest of the competition.
Plus, Hayne has had a full offseason to re-acclimatise to the NRL, giving his skills and match awareness the pick-me-up they need.
With that, he’s primed to rediscover his best form, and when he does, he’s going to start getting the Titans plenty of victories.
As the stand-out player on the Gold Coast, Hayne will also be demanding the lion’s share of the Dally M votes whenever the side finishes on the right end of the scoreline.
Taylor will pick up a fair few, Ryan James and Nathan Peats could nab the odd one here or there, but for the most part, it’s going to be the big-game fullback who’s stamping his authority on games.
With that in mind, when it comes time for the NRL to announce the competition’s best player for 2017 in September, don’t be surprised to see the code-hopping superstar accepting his third Dally M medal.
And who knows, at 29 years old, he’s probably a chance for a few more in the years to come.
SSTID_1970
Roar Rookie
The NFL is a series of...
SSTID_1970
Roar Rookie
People tend to forget just how tough it is to make it in the NFL. The competition a player has to beat just to get a start compared to the NRL is incredible. Haynes pre-season NFL highlights reel was highly impressive and earned him a huge following amongst the 49ers faithful and won over many of the US sports journalists. His 49ers #38 jersey was selling out owing to unprecedented sales for a rookie and early sales rivalled the NFL elite! In a story lifted from FoxSports ("Jarryd Hayne alongside NFL megastars in jersey sales top five, US media view") it was reported; "The TOP FIVE jerseys on the NFL’s official website (nflshop.com) were iconic New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant, New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr, Pats tight end Rob Gronkowski - and San Francisco 49ers phenom Hayne, who had the most popular running back jersey. Among the names to rate behind Hayne were Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (No.6), Seattle Seahawks QB Russell Wilson (No.9), Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo (No.10), 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick (No.11), Houston Texans megastar JJ Watt (No.12) and legendary Denver Broncos QB Peyton Manning." Even the number Hayne wore celebrated his connection to his beloved Eels as 38 was the number he was given when he joined the Eels as a 17-year-old back in 2005. In hindsight this can all be dismissed as "hype" but it STILL is an amazing achievement in itself (and a testament to the levels of success and recognition Hayne had achieved at the time). Then came "that dropped ball" on the biggest stage of the new season "Monday Night Football". After Hayne dropped that kick off against the Vikings the pundits never forgot and never quite forgave him. He was long odds to win a starting spot in any case as he was the 5th ranked Running Back (RB) at the 49ers and was never going to hold down the position of kick/punt returner without being able to contribute elsewhere in the team. The fact of the matter is this... Rugby League skills and NFL skills are NOT analogous (they are not directly transferable) and it is a mistake to think that they are. The NFL is a serious of explosive stop starts and punctuated with extended periods of rest for most of the game. The NRL emphasise stamina and aerobic endurance and this advantage is lost in a game that allows so many opportunities to rest. There was just too much for Hayne to learn in too short a time and the mountain was then (and is still) too steep for an NRL star to climb IMO. It is a mistake and unfair though to judge Hayne for this and not celebrate the positive contribution he made during his short time in the sport. For what it is worth I think Hayne will "kill it" in 2017 and the Titans looked primed for a top 4 spot (once they get Peats back at hooker).
The spectator
Guest
Personnal have a sneaking suspicious that the moons aligned for R Farah to win it this yr, nevee been a Farah fan but he is a gun hooker, the compitition from cook to play some game time will erk Robby big time, his own self interest will see him see off cook, wanting to stick it up Jason Failure, i mean Taylor , gaining himself Dally m points, reynolds injured also pkays into his hands.
BigJ
Roar Guru
i think that Hayne winning the Dally M this season is a bit of a tall order considering all the competetion he will be up against, but as i have stated in previous comments, this is the year of the Titans so Dally M and premership for Hayne
eels47
Roar Rookie
You are entitled to your opinion, but when Hayne left in 2014 he was a much better player than in 2009. On 2009 he was all flash but not a great footballer. In 2014 he was a much better fullback, his positional play and defence in particular. I actually think he was more lazy in 2009. Take away the highlights and watch his actual game and he was caught out of position too many times and seemed to give up in the chase too early. I don't expect him to set the world on fire this year, but he seems to have matured as a player again and that can only mean good things for the Titans.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Fair comments. I think Taylor's last six weeks or so off the comp were not close to the standard he set for the rest of the season. If that was because of injury so be it. He wasn't terrible or even poor in that period - just not as good or as involved. That's why I used the phrase off the boil and not loss of form or something similar. I think Hayne playing 5/8 contributed. Whereas previously Taylor had been running the team, all of a sudden the ball was going to Hayne a lot particularly deep in attack. So I'm not putting it all down to any one factor but whether it was injury, Hayne, a long rookies season, Taylor was definitely quieter at the end of the season than he'd been throughout. I also think getting the balance right of who plays what role will be key for the Titans success and about getting the most out of Hayne, Taylor and Elgey. Last year there was a bit of a chuck it to Hayne mentality and it didn't work fantastically well. It didn't work well for the Eels either.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Agree. The other thing is that he never said his goal was to win a super bowl or a become a hall of famer, it was to play NFL. He achieved that so how could it be defined as anything but a success...
Kevin
Guest
A bit early to already be precidicting the Dally M. Hayne might end up playing Union with Big Semi and Benny Barba in France. Time will tell.
Gary Russell-Sharam
Guest
I have the opposite opinion to many others on this subject. I think that Hayne will not be anywhere as good as what he could be. Then he will not sign for next year and will sign with another club, or test the waters in AFL. He did play very well in 2009 and I admired his effort but in so many subsequent games I questioned his effort, he always seems to be lazy. I'm happy to eat my words if I'm wrong but somehow I doubt that I will have to eat what I've said
Shane
Guest
Agree on the general consensus that Hayne will most likely return to superstar levels and also agree that all 3 chief playmakers- Elgey/Taylor/Hayne will need to be cohesive for the Titans to fulfill potential. That said I've read a couple of comments from you TB on this site referring to Ash Taylor "going off the boil" late in the 2016 season. Firstly, I don't actually agree- I thought he was very consistent and right up to being forced from the field injured in the Final against the Broncs was playing beyond his years to the equivalent level of any rising world class half in the comp and beyond that of many established 7's. Secondly you seem to forget or gloss over the fact he was playing injured for the best part of the season -which if there was any kind of form slip is more likely an impacting factor than the arrival of Hayne. Thirdly, Hayne and Taylor had only 6 weeks to build on field combinations with Haynes first week being an appearance off the bench followed by 2 weeks being a fill in 5/8 and then 3 weeks at fullback. So IMO it is a bit premature to suggest that Taylor was overwhelmed by Haynes stardom based on what we've seen so far. So in my mind there is no debate whether Hayne calling shots over Taylor impacted on Taylor's late season (debatable drop in form). Far to premature an argument.
Albo
Guest
You would think that Hayne will be their main attacking focus and probably from fullback. But he will need to be linking well with his halves Taylor & Elgey to ensure effectiveness. They could develop into a very potent force for the Titans, but they will need to work as one for the cause. And this could mean that Dally M points might end up getting shared around this trio a bit , along with Ryan James ( who always attracts points ) and a bunch of workhorses like Proctor, McQueen & Nathan Peats. The other query I would have about Hayne dominating the Dally M points is his proximity to the bright lights of Surfers & Jupiters !
jeff dustby
Guest
thanks Michael Chammas
eels47
Roar Rookie
What I will say is that people who could look past the fact that it was Hayne could see that he had improved since 2009 considerably, but there were still so many punters out there who bagged him. I don't know if it was jealousy, tall poppy syndrome or what, but it definitely was rampant. A lot of the criticism of him was that he was full of himself, which is far from true. Listen to him speak, he is down to earth and very grounded. Sure, he is arrogant once he takes the playing field, but that is part of being an elite athlete. I agree with the whole double edged sword thing, but 2009 was freakish, not necessarily great rugby league, but a great athlete who did things that we hadn't seen before for a sustained period.
KenW
Guest
Well the Titans are one of the few teams that most people can cheer when there own teams aren't involved. They haven't been around for that long, or particularly dominant, so there's no grudges there that other supporters hold on to (I still hate Brisbane from 92/93, especially 93 - Carne's try, Langer's song and Steven's poor thumb from those brutes!). So in the unlikely event the Dragons aren't doing the business, I can reserve a small cheer for the Titans. Unless they do well and win the comp or something, and then next year I can have something to detest them for....
KenW
Guest
I'm not sure anyone was bagging him in 2014 with his second Dally M. Most were applauding that he had regained the sort of form he showed in 2009. And I agree that his general fullback play was better at the end of his Eels career than earlier. Of course that's not to say he wasn't criticised in other years when I think his effort did drift in and out a little. Periods like his 09 form are always going to be a double-edged sword though. There's very few players that even have the ability to match it, but the player actually most likely to be compared to that form is Hayne himself and it's tough for him to match up to it as well.
PatchMan
Guest
Niel Henry' is a Great Coach' & with a full pre season to prepare the team'..& Hayne's required positional job' i think the Titans will do extremely well'. I've got Titans in my top 4! With those other great additions mid season last yr' & the New Recruits for this season'..They will be Awesome to watch! Can't wait!...& I'm a Dragon's supporter! :)
kk
Roar Pro
Jarryd's biggest problem will be to play in enough games to accumulate the points required to win the prize. Titans play 4 of the first six at home which should give us an indication of his 2017. The away game of RTS v JH will be a sell out.
eels47
Roar Rookie
Exactly, if Hayne is allowed to play his game and doesn't have to run the team, he can get back to his best. As you said, he is a runner with some ball playing ability, let him focus on that. His other problem is that everyone expects a miracle every time he touches the ball, and he gets criticized for not creating it. Even before he left he was 10 times the player he was in 2009 overall, his positional play and defensive efforts especially. But because he wasn't doing all the freakish things he was being criticised everywhere for being a one hit wonder, even though he won his second Dally M.
eels47
Roar Rookie
I don't get that either Dexter. Yeah, he didn't set the world on fire over there, but did we really expect him to? Most experts said he wouldn't even make a roster, at least not in his first year, but he did that. He was up against a stack of guys who have been throwing that ball since the day they were born, and he beat them out to a spot on an NFL roster. On top of that, he played a handful of games, something millions of Americans only dream of. It is all part of the tall poppy syndrome in Australia, for some reason the country loves to bring one of our top athletes down and see them fail.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I have no doubt Hayne will be back to, if not his best, then pretty close to. I think the only thing in his way might be a bit of confusion over his role. He's been at his best as a running fullback primarily with his ball playing coming off the back of that. That's where he'll be at his best but how much time will he be spending at first receiver and being the 'main man' rather than playing wider of the ruck. Ash Taylor going off the boil coincided with Haynes signing. Whether it was Hayne going over the top of him or the effects of a long rookie season is up for debate. The Titans were really good to watch last year even before Hayne signed.