Despite all the negative talk here about Haynes, I'm glad he resigned with the NRL. May not be a marquee player just yet as Lockyer, Thurston or Ingliss, but may well prove to be in the coming years.
Not that I'm a fan of the bloke, but he's loyalty to the game is obvious to me. To say he is just doing it to bump up his asking price next time is rubbish. The guy is taking a huge risk if that were the case. Waiting 4 years to bump up your price, anything could happen. Loss of form, injury that permanently impedes his progress or ends his career. Who knows, 4 years is along time in sport.
Personally I think he had a great year as a player, apart from not so good at start of year. Even as a full-blooded Broncos supporter I still have to admit that.
Also NSW need him badly and firing at origin time as I feel he was the only player they had that stopped the series being a complete embarrassment to them. Without him they may as well do the presentation to Qld for their 5th straight series win now. As a Qld supporter, I still don't want to see a completely one-sided origin series.
We need more guys like him at Origin level for NSW or the whole concept will die. We need a competitive Origin and he can help deliver that at least.
As for the need for the NRL to look at third-party sponsers, Haynes is spot on. Allow them to earn more and let us keep our great players. They may be replaceable, but why let ARL or Union have any of them, when we could have the lot and really showcase what a great sport League is.
Just my 2 cents worth, even if you don't agree.
