Taylor made coach
By JAMES PHELPS
October 03, 2005
PARRAMATTA boss Denis Fitzgerald believes Premier League coach Jason Taylor will become a successful first-grade mentor after his side secured the lower grade title yesterday.
Taylor's Premier League outfit proved far too strong for a spirited Sydney Roosters side, recording a 31-12 victory.
For Taylor, it was a win that underlined his potential as a top-level coach.
"I think J T certainly has the potential to go on and become a first-grade coach," Fitzgerald said.
"Jason's performance has been excellent and I'm very happy about the win.
"It's always good to win a competition."
Taylor was overjoyed with his maiden coaching premiership and said a job at the top level was his target.
"I want to keep my career ticking on. I enjoy it and at the end you have to do what you like and I really enjoy it," Taylor said. "I want to keep moving ahead and I will keep my options open."
While Taylor was revelling in his first major coaching success, on the field it was 17-year-old Jarryd Hayne who stole the spotlight with two tries.
Hayne was only promoted into the side after sometime first-graders Matt Petersen and Aaron Cannings were ruled out for the decider under the League's complicated eligibility criteria.
"Jarryd Hayne, who played on the wing, he's just 17 years of age you'll be hearing about him if you haven't already," Taylor said.
"The players that were here today have done the job all year. It would have been nice to have those two players in the side, but I never doubted the boys who would come in for them for a second."
Both of Hayne's tries came in the first half, setting a platform as the Eels never looked like losing.
Fullback Joel Reddy opened the scoring when he burst on to a Josh Cordoba offload to take Parramatta out to a 6-0 lead.
The Eels extended their lead to 12 points when winger Hayne crashed over in the corner after taking a good ball from Henry Perenara.
Hayne scored again from close range on the stroke of halftime to give the minor premiers a commanding 18-0 lead. The Eels lost none of their momentum in the second half, taking just seven minutes to post their fouth try of the match.
Winger Ashley Graham split the defence five metres out from the Roosters line and ran under the sticks to score and take Parramatta out to a 24-0 lead.
The Roosters opened their account in the 50th minute when back-rower Nigel Plum barged over from close range to make it 24-6.
Then classy half Jamie Soward combined with Sam Perret to put winger Michael Lett over in the corner to cut the deficit to 24-12. Parramatta 31 (J Hayne 2, J Reddy, A Graham, D Dalton tries; B Delaney 5 goals, M Perenara field goal)
Sydney Roosters 12 (M Lett, N Plum tries; J Soward 2 goals)
At Telstra Stadium
Referee: B Cummins.
