For anyone that has followed my writing over the years, you’ll know a couple of things. First, that I am a mad Parramatta Eels fan.
Second, that I love Clint Gutherson.
And third, that I have never really been a big fan of Jarryd Hayne.
Don’t get me wrong, I can appreciate his talent. And certainly, as an Eels fan, I always felt grateful that I was given the opportunity to watch this young man develop into a fine footballer and grow up in front of my very eyes.
But as a fan, I like underdogs.
While these players do not have as much natural talent as the superstars of our game, I have greater respect for players that work hard both on and off the field – players like Clinton Schifcofske, Brett Hodgson, Jeff Robson, Shane Shackleton, Matt Keating, Ben Smith and David Gower.
More often than not, these players were always striving to be better and grateful simply for the opportunity to play rugby league – an opportunity that they did not take for granted.
Jarryd made his debut for the Eels back in 2006. In the early years, I was ambivalent towards him, but grew increasingly in awe of his talent – particularly in 2009 when his efforts almost single-handedly got Parramatta through to a grand final.
That was his standout season. The Eels didn’t achieve much in the years that followed.
At the end of the 2014 season, Jarryd made the announcement that he would leave the Eels immediately to head to the United States to pursue his dream in the NFL. At that point, I wished him well and admired the courage he had to pursue a dream in what is a very tough sporting market.
While he was in the United States, I kept track of his progress and was very impressed when he managed to gain selection for the San Francisco 49ers despite having played the sport far less than countless others who were pushing for their own opportunity.
It was great to see local talent doing so well, particularly for a dream that he had taken a big risk for.
From admiration though, things took a more sour note when Jarryd announced he was coming back to the NRL to play for the Gold Coast Titans in 2016.
Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t have sour grapes because I wanted Jarryd back at the Eels. Quite the opposite – I didn’t want him back because I felt like the Eels as a club had moved on.
It was all about character. Before Jarryd left the Eels, he made it clear that if he ever came back to the NRL it would be to the Eels. On his return in 2016, he also said that he wanted to come back to the Eels, but they didn’t make him an offer.
Perhaps what he should have said was that the Eels made him an offer… just one that wasn’t big enough. And that was fine. Players have limited careers and need to maximise their earning potential.
But I wish players would just be honest when making financial decisions about their future.
(Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)
When it was announced that Jarryd was coming back home to the Eels this year, it took me a while to process it. But, Brad Arthur is a man that I have trusted to lead my team through some of our darkest days.
I trusted his judgement and was confident that Jarryd would need to fit in with existing team structures and would not be given an opportunity to disrupt what the Eels had created last year.
I also knew that the Eels were committed to players like Clint Gutherson and that Hayne’s presence did not mean that Gutho’s importance was lessened.
Heading into the season, my feelings about Hayne changed once again.
For the first time in my life, I felt sorry for him. The catalyst for this change was all the talk in the media about his performance at pre-season. Remember when he reportedly finished last in a five-kilometre time trial and it was the talk of the town?
I thought it was exceptionally unfair (at that point) to use his pre-season performance at training as such a big predictor of how he would go this season. I thought he at least deserved a chance to provide himself.
I have watched Jarryd throughout this year. Unfortunately, he has spent a lot of time injured. However, he has been able to string a couple of games together towards the back end of the year and I have been pleasantly surprised.
He will never again be that player that almost single-handedly guided the Eels to a grand final in 2009 ever again. He is much older and has lost some of his pace. But throughout this year I have seen glimpses of that talented teenager I admired all those years ago.
His game against the Titans a few weeks ao certainly stood out to me where he scored a try on the left edge and then help to set up another. In the past, Jarryd has also been criticised for his defence – it was pleasing in this game. Five metres out he wrapped up Kevin Proctor who almost looked certain to score.
I also remember when I first started seeing glimpses – back in July with his performance against the Knights where his sidestep came out of retirement and he demonstrated that he still has some speed.
Last week, the news broke that the Eels will offer Hayne a new contract at the end of the season. At the start of the year I didn’t think I would say this – but given Hayne’s form over the last couple of weeks, I’m very supportive of the move.
Here is what I know. I know that Jarryd did not get a full pre-season this year due to niggling injuries. That would have impacted his fitness and I imagine had an impact on his form at the start of the year.
(Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
But we have seen glimpses and I have every confidence that with a full pre-season, Jarryd will be able to add value to what will be a new look backline.
We know that Jarryd is not on big money either and for the right amount, I see no harm in giving him one more year. For the first time, I am willing to take a risk on him and would be comfortable having him as part of the team.
In the back of my mind, I still truly believe that if Jarryd is going to play good footy somewhere, it is going to be for the Eels. And what a sight it would be to see Hayne have one more year and be given the opportunity to help the club christen its brand new stadium.
Muzz
Guest
Kurt, The John Howard enterprise bargaining agreement days are over. This would be illegal.
Fan
Guest
His performance was down because coaches have put him in the wrong position for 2 years. He needs to settle at fullback or go to the wing. But wing is a bit of a waste. He did well at 5/8 for Fiji in the World Cup. But don’t put him at centre. I don’t understand how multiple coaches can make the same mistake over and over.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
How did he destroy Daley's career? If anything Ferguson and Dugan had impact.
Adam
Roar Guru
I'd like to clarify that this is a different Adam to me. I think Hayne is the least of the Eels problems. He is a solid player and has a few more decent years left, for the right price. They have had a lot of players fading in and out of games. I'd say their biggest issue has been the halves. But that's alongside a multitude of other issues.
Adam
Guest
Never said it was Hayne's fault. Next time read what I wrote. My point was that it's these types of decisions that are holding the club back. Hayne was on a one year deal, he spent the early part injured, then was ordinary, and finally played ok as a very expensive winger. Based on that I wouldn't be resigning him. Not everyone who disagrees with you is a hater
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Mary I may be an overly generous guy, however I would be inclined to offer him a 2 year deal. The reasons being: 1) He is a confidence guy, who needs to perform better each week. Indeed I suggest public recognition of his performances ,seems to spur him on. He appears to be getting his mojo back. 2) He is no doubt a gifted athlete and footballer, not just an athlete. 3)With the new Parramatta Stadium completed by April thereabouts in 2019,he will be performing in a great stadium brimming with the masses and atmosphere far better than anything ANZ could muster,which suits his temperament and his ability to perform. 4) Playing at anywhere near his prior best ,he is a joy to watch and can win any team games. Two years time, then he is getting to the stage, where he would want to attempt something less demanding in a sport. I hate to see players leave when they are still performing at or near the top.
Kurt S
Roar Pro
As a winger he is doing well. Offer him 200k and a performance bonus. The bonus could be based on metres earned and tries created or made with the proviso that he gets more for tries when his team are behind on the scoreboard. Allow him to potentially earn 1.2 million but make it known that good money does not kick in until minimum standards and tries are scored consistently throughout the season. An economist could could come up with a good algorithm. That is the best way to get the most out of Hayne. Good, no, great player if he wants to be.
Muzz
Guest
A new coach is far more important. The worlds best RL coach is potentially available if you have the fines$e to lure him over. I'd be offering Bennett $2,000,000 a year and he can bring Darbs.
Dutski
Roar Guru
I agree Mary. I would play him on the wing with a roving commission. Let him play what’s in front of him but let the others in the team actually run the team. That’s when you see the best of him. It’s funny- when Semi was there everyone was happy for him to be on the wing with an occasional foray into the middle. Why not Hayne? Sure, he’s no Semi but he’s a pretty handy player in his own right. He’s not a 5/8, he’s not a centre, these days he’s not even a fullback. He is a top quality winger who can change a game, and maybe fill in at those other positions if needs be. When you look at him like that, why wouldn’t you give him a contract?
theHunter
Guest
Larry, no one said we expect a dominant year next year or that we are making excuses of his performance. All I'm stating above is that he hasn't played most games this year yet you people wanna lay blame on him for the fall is ridiculous. How than do you justify the fall of cowboys when JT7 and JT13 have been playing all year. Who's to blame? JT or the rest of the team? All you JT lovers will make up excuses of the team not performing and its not a one man game but why than Hayne cops the most criticism even though he hasn't played most of the games this year? If Hayne doesn't perform trust me I'll be critical about him but his played ok since returning and again its not a one-man game why does he cop more criticism than the highly paid JTs of Cowboys running last at the moment?
Larry1950
Guest
It's good to see the Hayne Plane fan club is still operating, I'm sure we'll hear plenty from them predicting a dominant season 2019 from Jarryd with a full pre-season under his belt. What's the odds he picks up a niggling injury just prior to all the hard work starting & comes into 2019 behind the rest of the squad. Another year of having his own modified training program seperate from the first grade team, sound familiar eels fans? The guy undoubtably has ability but this constant excuse making and adulation wears a bit thin after a while.
Footyfan007
Guest
Yep your dead right, It’s Jarryd Haynes fault the team hasn’t won for 32 years. Glad you figured it out. Thanks for that. How about all the other players in side that have been woeful this year? You don’t seem to mind about them getting new contracts do you! You have an agenda, your a sheep and you listen to the media. Open your eyes and stop being a hater.
theHunter
Guest
He was injured for most of the season but people still want to blame the guy who wasn't there for the most part??? What did you people expect, for him to win the Dally M Player of the year from what, just 10 games of the season. Get real!!! Jonathan Thurston, Taumalolo and co. have played for almost the whole year and none of them are copping any of the crap you guys are spewing on about on a guy who has played less games due to injury. At least he has performed well above expectations after returning but he can't just come back and start winning games from the Centre and Wing position. He is being rotated but he is playing well. Yes we hoped and expected for him to be playing well this year but injury got in his way and in the way of our expectations but he has been impressive of late. That says something. Maybe he will be better next year if he is fit and healthy but criticizing him when he hasn't had plenty game time is just stupid. I hope he improves next year but give him a break. Let him play the majority of a season to actually have a good measure on where he is. Less than half a season of game time doesn't define anyone.
Nick
Roar Guru
yeah, Eels are right to resign him, his form improved enough at the end of the season to justify a new deal. But definitely not a dollar more than what he's on. He's certainly not shown form to be earning big money yet.
Muzz
Guest
I'd spend the money on a middle forward.
ifereimi nadore
Guest
Hey guys Hayne is a super star. Don't degrade him. Im sick of hearing negative comments about the guy. At least his performance including mentoring young players is a big boost to the Eels this season.
Adam
Guest
His attitude has been an issue for a long time, perhaps it's you who doesn't have a clue. And when he wasn't injured he was still average. The fact they are looking at giving him another year based on a handful of ok performances at the back end of the year is reason for their premiership drought of what, 32 years?
Adz Sportz
Roar Guru
He's shown glimpses of his best in the past few weeks, but his talents are wasted on the wing or centre
Larry1950
Guest
There's got to be some correlation between recruitment and outcomes, from where I sit, both titans and eels have got it wrong with Hayne. He's taken both clubs backwards, lost nsw an origin series, destroyed 2 coaching careers (Daley & Henry), had a negative impact on young players at the titans & a few middling performances can't offset that. Overall he hasn't done much in 5 years.
Nat
Roar Guru
Last week, In Scott's weekly wrap I said I liked Hayne on the wing but with a licence to roam. However, he still needs to get back to the wing. He has left Jennings without a winger a few times now and the opportunity for points. Obviously he sees himself as a ball player but his best games have come from being a finisher. Sure, give him a contract but also guidelines to use the roaming as an option not getting to your position as a last option.