Phil Gould and Nick Politis could go to war for Jarryd Hayne’s signature
November 18, 2015 10:00pm
PHIL ROTHFIELDSPORTS EDITOR-AT-LARGEThe Daily Telegraph
The likely prospect of superstar Jarryd Hayne returning to the NRL next year has put lifelong friends and rugby league icons Phil Gould and Nick Politis on a collision course.
And standing between them in an uncomfortable position is Hayne’s veteran agent Wayne Beavis, who counts the Roosters supremo and Panthers general manager among his closest mates.
Both Gould and Politis have confirmed to the Daily Telegraph they will bid for Hayne’s signature should the former Parramatta Eels champion pull the pin on his stalled NFL career at the San Francisco 49ers.
It would ignite the biggest chequebook war in rugby league history.
Both Gould and Politis have the connections and contacts at the big end of town to get the required third party sponsorship and then back-end a contract that would make Hayne the highest paid footballer in Australia in any of footy codes.
Not that either are yet convinced Hayne will be coming home. At least not publicly.
“My understanding is that Jarryd will not be giving up on his NFL dreams,” Gould told the Daily Telegraph.
“Nor should he. What he has achieved in 12 short months is nothing short of extraordinary. Our game should be so proud of Jarryd.
“If, at some time in the future, he decides to return to the NRL, rest assured Panthers will be in the queue to have a chat with him”.
If Gould can convince Hayne to join the Panthers, the plan would be to play him at fullback and switch Matt Moylan to five-eighth.
Both clubs want Hayne as a marketing initiative as much as a footballer.
The increase in sponsorship, crowds, membership and overall exposure would be worth the millions it will cost them on a contract.
Politis says Roosters coach Trent Robinson is still planning to go with Blake Ferguson at fullback next year while grooming boom rookie Latrell Mitchell to eventually take over.
“We don’t even know if Jarryd’s going to be available,” Politis said.
“Like Gus, we’re keeping an eye on it. We’d love to have him but so would a lot of other clubs.”
Having lost Sonny Bill Williams, James Maloney, Anthony Minichiello and Roger Tuivasa Sheck in the last two years, the Roosters are not under as much salary cap pressure as some might believe.
Also working in their favour is that Politis gave Hayne a loan car from one of his automotive businesses when he was last in Australia.
The fact the South Sydney Rabbitohs were able to squeeze Sam Burgess under the cap on a $1 million-a-year contract shows both the Panthers and Roosters could do the same thing.
If he stays in the NFL, Hayne faces the prospect of not playing again until August in next year’s trials.
Most believe he will make a decision on his future when he returns to Australia for Christmas.
