Eels hold upper hand in Jarryd Hayne negotiations
Jarryd Hayne’s return to Parramatta has yet to reach the dizzy heights many had hoped but chief executive Bernie Gurr says the club is willing to play the long game as it weighs up whether to offer the cross-code superstar a fresh deal.
Hayne is off contract at the end of the season, having signed a one-year deal after walking out on the Gold Coast to return to his spiritual home. Plenty of people questioned the wisdom of the move, fearing it would upset the balance of a side that appeared ready to challenge for their first premiership in more than 30 years.
Those who raised their concerns would no doubt feel vindicated now, the Eels having lost their opening three games and Hayne sidelined with a hip flexor injury for up to a month.
Even before the injury, Hayne looked a shadow of the player who won two Dally M Medals. Gurr, however, says club officials have had no reason to question their decision and will give Hayne every chance to rediscover his best form.
“We’re disappointed that he has been injured,” Gurr said. “We’re very supportive of his rehabilitation and we’re really looking forward to him getting back on the field.
“He’ll be given every chance to earn a new deal. We don’t have a time frame on it. We are quite patient with it. We have to give him time. Everybody around the football club is very supportive of getting him healthy and getting him back on the field.”
The Eels can afford to take their time for several reasons. First, Hayne has already indicated his commitment to the club, having accepted a significant pay cut to resume his career in Parramatta colours.
Second, his form thus far — he failed to score a try or record a line break in the opening three rounds — means there are unlikely to be a host of clubs lining up to gain his signature.
It leaves Parramatta holding all the power as they weigh up whether to table fresh terms to a player who turned 30 earlier this year, and continues to create headlines wherever he goes.
The Eels slow start to the year has led to myriad rumours about team chemistry but Gurr insisted Hayne had settled in well.
“From my perspective, we have had no problems with Jarryd whatsoever,” Gurr said. “He’s settled back into the club well. It’s just unfortunate he has been wounded.”
Hayne’s absence for the next month comes as the Eels prepare to face Wests Tigers at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night, a crucial game only a month into the season.
While his absence strips the Eels of one of their biggest names, it will thrust more pressure onto the shoulders of halves Corey Norman and Mitchell Moses.
It could be the added pressure the pair need as they look to find their best form. The Eels halves, having shown so much promise as a combination last year, have been disappointing over the opening three rounds and Parramatta desperately need them to ignite the club’s season.
The two were outstanding in the opening 40 minutes against Penrith on the opening weekend of the premiership but they have been on the slide since, Moses suffering the ignominy of being sin-binned twice already this season.
They quickly need to find their feet. If not this weekend, it may be too late to save their season.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sp...s/news-story/fae3372db561f024bc19f4a556442450
