JARRYD Hayne freely admits his preferred position is still fullback.
That won’t be where he starts the season and Bevan French says the two-time Dally M has put his ego aside to give some needed advice.
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EELS
Jarryd Hayne’s fitness has been all the talk this pre-season, but the positive influence on Parramatta’s squad has been largely overlooked.
One Eels star who’s been making the most of Hayne’s return is speedster Bevan French.
With Clint Gutherson likely to be sidelined for the season opener as recovers from an ACL injury, French is set to get another crack in the No.1 jumper.
Hayne has been mentoring the 22-year-old for the role.
“Jarryd’s been helping me out a fair bit at training,” French revealed to Fox Sports.
“The main thing he’s been helping me with is defence. Things that go unnoticed when you’re watching footy as a kid or just at home on TV.
“You don’t see what the fullback does away in defence as well.
Bevan French and Corey Norman at training.Source: News Corp Australia“It’s a pretty important job for the fullback to get the numbers right and send the people in the right direction.
“It’s a pretty tough job at times and Haynesy’s been helping me out with that and I’m looking forward to putting that to the test.”
Asked if he’d like to play fullback full-time, French said: “Yeah, I’d like to think so, although I do realise if ‘Gutho’ or ‘Haynesy’ plays over me at the moment, I’m not going to be sad about it.
“I’ve only been in here a couple of seasons so I’ve still got a lot to learn.
“Long term that is the position I’d like to play, but if I’m not playing there anytime soon, I’m not going to be too worried.”
Replies
Sounds to me Jarryd will be at fullback most the season.
How do we get more team players like Bevan French. A breath of fresh air in my opinion
Also it speaks of JH buying into the culture that BA has introduced to the club
Breaking News: Experienced player helps less experienced player at training. Also everyone wants to play fullback.
I'd say that having such good backs across the board means we don't need anyone special on the wing. The important thing is that we have enough size at the back to do the donkey work after a kick return.
Salmon? He is a 19 year old half, why would you think he would be playing 1st grade in the centre?
Smarts yes probs maybe...footy smarts though poppa really? Don’t think any of us could say we’ve seen enough to warrant that praise. Reckon Jarryd Hayne would have to possess one of the highest footy IQs going around surely?
Pops any chance somebodies slipped you a mix of Ibogaine or a few pipes of PCP any time in the last 24 hours lol?
Poppa, don't really agree with you this time round. If French is seen as the long term fullback as has been put out by BA, the more he plays in that spot the better he will become. The best part of this story is that we see a player in Hayne who is prepared to look beyond himself, showing a good degree of sportsmanship and shows he's changed a lot.
Who would be a better tutor to French, at the club than Hayne, who can when needed drop back to help him as needed, no matter where he plays, centres or wing?
When Gutho comes back I see him going to fullback until there is a permanent opening in the centres when that happens, French will then be the Fullback into the future, caveat always while he is with us and/or no other fullback comes in who is better.
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