UPDATE: The Gold Coast Titans have announced they have officially released Jarryd Hayne from his contract with the club, clearing the path for him to return to the Parramatta Eels in 2018.
He will reportedly sign a one-year deal with the Eels worth no more than $600,000 so he can be closer to family next season.
Original story follows
Jarryd Hayne has reportedly begun telling the Gold Coast Titans he has no plans to play for the club in 2018 and is seeking a release. He is set to join the Parramatta Eels ahead of next year.
Hayne’s future has been the subject of much conjecture over the past few months – his much-publicised stoush with former Titans boss Neil Henry saw the coach sacked in August, and rumours that the code-hopping star was set to leave the Gold Coast sprung up earlier this month.
Hayne fiercely denied those reports, hitting out at Buzz Rothfield on Twitter the day the news broke:
However, it seems Hayne is still set to leave the club ahead of the 2018 season, with Danny Weidler reporting the two-time Dally M winner has told senior officials at the Titans he won’t be playing for the side next year.
Weidler also said the Titans will officially confirm the news later today.
Hayne will reportedly play for the Eels in 2018 on a one year deal which will see him take a significant pay cut. Hayne’s current deal with the Titans is said to be worth around the $1.2 million mark, whereas the one-season deal with Parramatta will reportedly see him paid $500,000-600,000.
However, moving back to the Eels, the club where Hayne made his name as one of the NRL’s stars, will allow the fullback to be closer to his family.
While Hayne seems certain to link up with his former club, it’s not immediately clear where he will play for Parramatta. While his best position remains fullback, the Eels’ best player from 2017, Clint Gutherson, has made the number one jersey his own.
There’s also no room in the halves for Hayne, with Mitchell Moses and Corey Norman forming an excellent combination in the blue and gold following Moses’ mid-season switch to the Eels. He could play on the centre or wing, but has had defensive issues in both positions throughout his career.
Hayne made his debut for the Eels in 2006 and went on to win two Dally M player of the year medals with the side. He also starred in the club’s memorable run to the 2009 NRL grand final.
Chris Love
Roar Guru
I’m pretty sure radradra was upgraded to 400k
Birdy
Guest
L1950, The Morris twins to the Titans, What a crowd draw that would be. World class footballers, great ambassadors, nil off field dramas, etc. Would change me from occassional attendance to season ticket holder. How can we make this happen?
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Well I wouldn't move Gutherson either, but BA shunted him to the centres to accommodate French at one point before he got moved back (and then got hurt) so there's precedent to moving him out.
Larry1950
Guest
The only winner in this deal is the Titans, losers include Hayne (if his contract is a legitimate salary drop without brown paper bags)/Neil Henry/Parramatta Eels/Brad Arthur/rugby league credibility. Wonder how Ash Taylor feels now after aligning with Hayne against Henry, he needs to learn how to judge character a bit better. Titans should make a play for the Morris twins getting a release for 2018 from the Bulldogs because they should get both of them for the $1.2M a season Hayne was going to get. Dogs were looking at offloading one or both but that didn't happen & Titans would get good value out of them as senior team members for the next two seasons. They might be getting on but neither will play rep footy again & they both really put in every game. Congratulations to Pearce for having the guts to step outside his comfort zone, never expected that on his past history.
Goerge
Guest
As a Titans fan I’m pretty stoked to see Jaryd leave. His career highs are immense- but sadly he never seemed to able to convince me he cared for much besides himself. I’d be even more thrilled if it was a direct swap with Clint Gutherson coming to the Titans
Lovey
Guest
What a different world now. My first reaction is that this is a personal problem, his wife and daughter can stay with him up there another year. I haven’t heard any compelling reasons why she must go to Sydney, and if so, it is not that much of a sacrifice for him. Particularly in view of the money, people go to absolute hellholes for a while. But so long as the Titans pay nothing it is up to him. He is a confidence player who is down on confidence. Maybe a return to “home” will be for the best, but I doubt it. He has gone back to carrying a bit of tub.
Jimmmy
Guest
Radradra is worth a million a season . Hayne is not worth half that. His mojo has well and truly left the building.
Jimmmy
Guest
The image of Hayne Morris dancing has stuck with me all day. You crack me up.
moustache twirler
Guest
Wow. This is quite a punt. But I fear it just wont work out... I feel for the eels fans. $600k for a first grade standard centre/winger. Money better spent elsewhere. In essence, Hayne is a replacement for Radradra. Who is better? Radradra or Hayne? I'd say Radradra on the wing is a better asset than Hayne at centre/wing. And even if you disagree, and think that Hayne is better... Please consider that Radradra was on $250k. Is Hayne really worth more than double? And we aren't even factoring in Hayne's potential toxic off field influence. Either Brad Arthur is extremely confident, and thinks he can "unleash" the Hayne Plane with some sort of new man management strategy, or this move will turn out to be a fatal blow to his promising coaching career. It's a shame because the Eels had a great 2017, and could have made a (few) smart recruitment decision(s) to augment their 2018 title aspirations. But instead, they've opted for the wildest of wild cards.
Wolly
Roar Guru
Might sound crazy but I wouldn’t mind seeing how he goes as a second rower, if he improves his defence and increases his stamina I think he’d go alright.
Tom G
Guest
Hayne is an enormous playing talent no question but struggles with coaching direction. I know that there are plenty who rate Arthur very highly but in my view he has had Jayne before, he’s had big rosters (albeit over the cap)and big budgets since being at the Eels and yet achieved nought.
Bunney
Roar Rookie
Except the Titans are regretting the $1.2m option, and so they're probably more than happy to see him go. They'll get two excellent players for that price, and improve the squad
Kurt S
Roar Pro
I don't see much hate. Hayne has made the bed he lays in. When he was young people said it was just exuberance of youth. But now he is a bit too old for that excuse. He has the right to shop for the best deal but he also has a responsibility to the team he plays with to be the best footballer he can be. He is allegedly a poor trainer and I'd like to know how the team mates who stuck up for him regarding Neil Henry feel right now. I bet they feel very cheated. He has a right to the club who pays his bills. He was paid a premium to be an ambassador for the club and the game and how did he thank them at the start of the contract? By hanging out with alleged undesirables and getting in the press for all the wrong reasons. He promised the Eels he would return if they gave him a release to follow his dream. He reneged on that apparently. If he carries himself in that manner he should expect some heat. Hayne seeks the attention and makes bold statements. When he puts himself out there and doesn't perform or carry himself in socially acceptable ways, he will come under scrutiny.
Bunney
Roar Rookie
Might have been a typo. I have NOW instructed...
The Barry
Roar Guru
Maybe WB. If you were a winger would you rather be playing outside Takairangi or Hayne? Attack or defence? I think Hayne could have a lot to offer but maybe not in the centres.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I agree. He was great all year but went to another level when he went back to fullback. I think it would be a massive error to move him out of the 1. Alex’s point is well made about injuries but it’s a lot of coin to spend on injury cover. Hayne has significant defensive issues in the centres and I agree Takairangi can be rocks and diamonds but gee he can set up his outside men well when he’s on.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Very good mate !
M.O.C.
Roar Guru
If Taka is rocks and diamonds then Hayne must just be rocks and rocks! The last diamond he turned up was in the last few months of 2009!
Kurt S
Roar Pro
pay that one ;)
Kurt S
Roar Pro
Better still, grant them a contract but have the player (or club if it is the club requesting the player move on)have to pay out for inconvenience of having to find a substitute player so late after negotiations and many player movements have already been finalised. In other words " sure, you can have a release.....but it will cost you."