If you somehow didn’t know already – this morning Jarryd Hayne broke the collective heart of all Eels fans, everywhere. In fact, if you didn’t know that but found your way to this website, I’m a little impressed.
But to be honest, I’m already over Jarryd’s decision.
I’m not going to go into details, I’m not going to harp on Jarryd’s “reasons” for not taking Parra’s offer (yes, despite your attempted explanation, there was an offer, Jarryd), and I’m sure he’ll be happy at the Titans.
Well said, sir Nutcracker.
But what would have been? I was chatting to Sixties the other day about the likely team we’d have next season. We had Corey in the halves, Semi out wide, and Mannah, Tepai, Kenny and Mau in the forwards. We also had Jarryd Hayne wearing the number 1 jersey.
Yet there was something very familiar about that side. I mean, if Jarryd joined us for season 2017, how different a team would we really have, on paper, from the team that missed the finals in season 2014?
Don’t get me wrong. Jarryd returning would have been a huge boon for this club, particularly in regards to morale and off the field. Our memberships would have broken another record for next season, and the return of the prodigal son story would have almost made us forget about the year we don’t speak of.
Thanks for the memories guys.
Yet still it gnawed away at me – our 2014 team had Jarryd, Corey, Semi in the backline.
So too would our 2017 team.
Mannah, Mau, Kenny, Tepai, Terepo and often David Gower in the starting 17.
So too would our 2017 team.
Sure now we have Beau Scott, Brad Taka, Michael Jennings and Clint Gutherson. But our 2014 team also had Junior Paulo, Will Hopoate, Chris Sandow, Nathan Peats and the zombie of Willie Tonga.
Do we really think next season would have been all that different to the team that ran 10th?
In 2014, we couldn’t score points, we had little cohesion in attack, our defence was dreadful and we were unhappy at training. We basically threw the ball to Jarryd and waited for him to create something special. I’m just saying that maybe, just maybe if Jarryd signed for us in 2017, there was a chance we’d be doing the same thing and expecting a different result.
For 2017, what we actually need is a poor man’s Corey Norman (as an aside, Jarryd’s deal certainly makes that 650k deal look like a bargain). We need a half who can help control the game, who can be a second reliable option to make good decisions in the red zone. We got it right by spending money in the halves with Kieran (admittedly the specific outcome in that instance wasn’t ideal).
We were successful this season because we had balance, we have a singular purpose, we trained well, everyone bought in to the plan.
Corey Norman is now primed to be a dominant half, his salary is a bargain and all we need now is a solid half to complement him. We don’t need a top shelf half -Corey is our Batman already, we just need a Robin. Think someone like Chad Townsend, or James Maloney. Think Michael Morgan, or Lachlan Coote. Aiden Sezer or Tui Lolohea. Just one of these 7 out of 10 halves would have us competing in Top 4 conversations again (and before you say how ridiculous that statement is – would you have called the Raiders a top 4 team before this season started?).
One of my brighter ideas.
Jarryd Hayne would have been a bonus, but he wouldn’t have really filled a great need. You’ll notice when we found out our offer wasn’t close to the Titans’ offer, the conversation ended from our end. This is how BA recruits – he offers a price and if you’re not sold on it well then he’s not buying.
In 2017, we will still have an amazing coach who refuses to back down and the nucleus of a very good team who never gives up. We will also have a HUGE amount of (legitimate) space in our salary cap, and future recruitment is going to be very measured, targeted and deliberate.
So, what if Jarryd turning his back on the Eels is as good for Parra as DCE turning their back on the Titans was for the Gold Coast?
We’re not far away Eels fans, and in strange way, today might have even got us closer.
Go you Eels.
-Mitch
Well said Miatch. Very well said. I’ve gone through a range of emotions today but now I’m settled on the fact that this is how it is. You are certainly right in or need for the “other” half. They don’t have to be a superstar, and they certainly don’t have to use the whole of our remaining salary cap.
I think our main problem at the moment is a lack of someone available. Who is there? Or, who is suitable?
Either way, we can go shopping now and I think we wil have a more well rounded team as a result.
I suspect we’ll have someone by 2017, but if not BA wants to continue the Gutherson experiment.
He’s not there yet, but admittedly he’s already better than I thought he’d be.
Ps – not all our options are off contract.
Thanks 🙂 I think Gutho has been great in the halves too, who knows what he could do with a full pre season and Corey by his side.
Valid point too about the contract status.
I guess as long as BA is getting a team he can work with then we should all be happy with that
My concern is, whilst some people including those I trust say we have signed Norman already, a few others I equally trust say terms have been agreed but no signature has been signed yet. If that’s true, I have absolutely no doubt Corey’s manager now demands significantly more money for him to sign, knowing now that not only do we have money available (I’m sure negotiations on Corey’s salary would be included talk of cash being available for Hayne & the benefits to Corey of playing with him) and also that we are now desperate, as he is our only true marquee player.
If nothing is official signed, I imagine Corey’s asking price will now be closer to $800-$900k, as his manager can wheel and deal with more leverage
To be brutally honest, I actually found myself making follow up enquiries after reading this post.
Admittedly I’m not 100% certain the contract is signed, but BA generally is pretty hardline with figures. I’d wager a guess that even if he somehow hasn’t actually put pen to paper (which I actually suspect he has based on what I’ve been told), that the figure still wouldn’t change a great deal, and more likely not at all.
Still you make a good point.
Like you said Hayne not coming home may be the best thing, even though it still feels like a massive kick to the guts. Hayne coming home would have brought a strong sense of hope back to the club, which in my opinion, is not what the club needs. Hope can be a powerful and yet, a dangerous thing. More attention would be on us, which is what we do not want. A quiet rebuild with the right qualified people put in the right spot.
The real issue is getting a half to partner Corey. Many of the players mentioned above are under contract or have recently signed with their respective clubs. Some value players we could maybe pick up could be Sam Williams, Shaun Fensom and maybe even Adam Clysdale (All from Canberra).
Sam Williams could tale on controlling the game and leave Corey to do his thing. Shaun would bring starch in the middle as a tough player and this would allow Beau Scott to move back put to the right edge.
Many players aren’t going to want to come to the club after our quiet 2016 season, and if they do the issue will be the asking price.
I’m hoping (as are many of us) that in a year or two we build back up better like both the Sharks and the Titans, who have turned their fortunes around. I’m still optimistic for next season, but “next season” is unfortunately starting to become my catch phrase.
Williams and the others you mentioned are not going to deliver us success. They be playing regular first Grade if they were capable.
We regular NRL competitor to come into the halves, this is even more critical given i expect Gutho will play FB, and lacks the kicking game Hayne offers at the back
Well said. Those players listed were certainly not legitimate target ideas, but rather examples of the sort of player that would fit well next to Corey.
I suspect our search for a young half to partner Corey will intensify.
Thanks Miatch, I’ll be interested to see what happens at the titans with Elgy, Taylor and Roberts all there. Ideally for them the halves pairing will eventually be Elgy and Taylor.
I don’t follow the junior levels enough so I don’t really know who’s got the talent in halves. Does Cornish have much potential? Apparently the warriors have a talented halfback waiting for a first grade opportunity.
Agree 100%.
You never go back unless of cause you are Ken Thornett and today Mr Hayne has certainly proved that he is not.
in all seriousness, I now just see another player. he could have gone down as one of the Eels greats – now he’s yesterday’s news.
Well summed up mate.
Things happen for a reason…One door shuts, another opens.
Inside every kid running around in the NRL is a champion waiting to get out. Three seasons ago who would have predicted Semi Radradraka would be the Superstar he has become now.
If the Playne thinks he can do better…let him go with our blessing…
Que Sera sera,……whatever will be, will be…
I would rather support a Club where all players had a ‘dip’ like the Eels team has in 2016…than a team of players who have too much money they don’t know what to do with it and it controls their lives……
This might sound too harsh – but I don’t really remember many of the teams Jarryd played in being known for always having a go.
Miatch, that is a bit harsh. The Playne was great for Parra..and I wished he had signed on again but he didn’t…move on….you’ll just upset yaself if ya don’t..
THE INDISPENSABLE MAN
Some time when you’re feeling important;
Some time when your ego’s in bloom;
Some time when you take it for granted,
You’re the best qualified in the room;
Some time when you think that your going,
would leave an unfillable hole;
Just follow this simple instruction
And see how it humbles your soul.
Take a bucket and fill it with water;
Put your hands in it up to your wrists;
Pull them out – and the hole that remains;
Is the measure of how much you’ll be missed.
You may splash as you please when you enter;
You may stir up the water galore;
But stop – and you’ll find in a second ,
That it looks just the same as before.
The moral of this is quite simple;
Do just the best that you can,
and be proud of yourself – but remember;
There is no indispensable man
It’s not that I didn’t love him playing for us, but ‘having a go’ wasn’t synonymous with teams he played for.
Arthur’s recruitment and retention reminds me a lot of Brian Smith’s. He was a master at getting value out of players.
Agreed. I’m a big fan. He’s our real hero.
Jarryd who? Stuff him.
Agreed
Couldn’t agree more. Why go back to something we have already tried & expect a different result. I think after all the crap we have had to endure this season we wanted some love from somewhere, but to be lied to by Hayne just twisted the knife more & it hurt.
completely agree mate.
The Eels need to make sure the key players like Brad Arthur Scott Gutherson Norman, Tepai Mau, Edwards, Wicks, Mannah Semi are locked in, and happy..They may not be the best, BUT they all have a red hot go..EVERY GAME….That’s all I ever EXPECT from any team……
you might be pleasantly surprised with related news coming out soon.
Lets all forget Hayne. He has lied to us end of story. I’ve seen a lot of stories going on about how Parra is a mess & why would anyone want to play for us but us Eels fans know the truth. The board was the big issue & it is certainly well on it’s way to being rectified but other then that I can’t see where we had any other issues. We have a team that was top 4 prior to loosing 12 points, Financially we are defiantly a powerhouse, We have an absolute legend of a coach & the team culture this season had everyone talking before the points loss. What the Eels did by not throwing a crap load of money at Hayne was show the rest of the comp that, If players come here it’s because they really want to be here not just because we will pay more than they can get anywhere else. Leave that tag for the Titans & Dragons. I hope after his contract is done with the Titans he wants back & we all tell him, YOUR DREAMIN.
GO THE MIGHTY EELS
Ha, it would be worth the story just hearing BA laugh at him down the phone line.
Good article Miatch, puts Jarryd’s decision in perspective. We often whinge about the number of Eels juniors at other teams and seem to be focusing on recruiting a new specialist #7. Remembering that Gutherson has progressed so quickly under BA. Is there any prospect of Izzard, King, Doolan or Dargan progressing?
I will preface this by saying Forty20 is much more qualified to answer this than I, but in the short term I think we’re at a no for our younger halves.
In time, obviously the hope is there, but I suspect BA wants a half for 2017. I’ve been really impressed with Gutho, but I dont think you win the title with him as your starting 6 in 2017. Depending on his development as a half (like I said I’ve already been surprised by his progress) maybe in the years after that.
Nonetheless, BA is a better judge than I – I’m glad he’s in charge.
Dargan is the most likely – though I’ve not seen King play in the position – but at this stage he could do with another year in the 20s. Still, the next pre-season may do wonders for him and others. I’m sure BA will sort it all out. There’s rumblings in the press of the Eels chasing Jamal Fogarty for next year. He and the likes of Cooper Bambling from the Cowboys are good to have at Wenty with the possibility of some NRL down the track. Their time in the 20s is up; and both are looking to go to the next level with some hard work and application on their part.
His natural ability and solid defence at the back would have been a bonus. It’s all the time and money we have invested in him and we give in to his every whim to let him go to the NFL with 2 1/2 years on his contract and him giving us his word that he would only return to us that’s what really stings
I am 51 years old I have seen all our highs and this year has been our worst year by far it a real kick in the guts what he has done I can never forgive him for this. He has shown his true nature it’s all about the money and he calls him self a Christan with morals
I hope Carma catches up with him in a big way
yeah he’s lost a LOT of admirers.
even those who dissed him would have gotten back on board the band wagon.
now a Parra fan who still cheers for Jarryd is rarer than hen’s teeth.