So I've decided it's finally time to re-open this can of worms.
Back history: I've always believed Jarryd Hayne would make an elite five-eighth, if you had the patience to wait while he learned the position.
Current position: Everything I've heard, suggests Hayne is mostly likely to take a proper crack at Rugby Union next year. I can't see him going around again for Parramatta as a $500k centre.
Equally it seems unlikely Corey Norman is going to be around next year. That leaves a massive hole in one of our most important positions, with no clear option as to how you best fill it.
So now I have to ask: What is there to lose?
Given his last performance, it does seem like Jarryd is perhaps ready to find something like his best form, and I think you just have to roll with that.
Give him the five-eighth jersey, playing behind Moses. Shift Norman to fullback where he can act as a secondary playmaker anyway, which would take some of the pressure off Jarryd and help him to adjust. Gutho to centre (which I think is his long-term position as well).
Jarryd is of an age now where a lot of his football is just going to come naturally. He won't need to think as much as did when he was younger, and that tended to be his downfall in the halves - he just constantly overthought things and ended up getting caught between two decisions.
Again, you trial this you have two possible options:
A) He kills it, and you can justify paying him an elite salary and he solves our five-eighth issue for the next three or four years.
B) He fails and he leaves which is probably the most likely outcome if you don't try it anyway.
I think it helps Moses too. I think he will play better when he's not playing as a split-half, and plays as a dominant seven. He can calm down, stop needing to make the big play, and just concentrate on leading the side around.
You'd need to give it four weeks to see any outcome, but at this point, I'd like to see us at least try and get some answers for next year, rather than just rolling out the status quo each week, with no real end game in mind.
Replies
Its where he should have been for years, agree its where he should be now but if he really wanted to do it he'd have pushed himself into the spot and/or shown great interest to get in there.
Ive always thought he could kill it there but dont think he has the desire to take the responsibility and work load.
Snake hard not to disagree, as how many times in the past has Jaryd been put there and has it ever worked?
The thing for me is what does he want to do, if he wants out next year is playing him there really going to be any better for the club, if he says yes and takes the batton and runs with it, he could get the enthusiasm to sign on again and the team can go forward.
Snake is right, he should have moved to 5/8 a few years ago. He has all the skills needed to be a good 5/8, in fact I believe he has the skills to be a great 5/8, only problem is, he has never wanted to play 5/8th.
I agree with every thing you have said Phil but if he doesn't have the desire than it wont work, just like it hasn't in the past.
So this is actually part of the solution in my view.
If he's looking at his future in Rugby League, how jazzed is he about playing centre? (Or even fullback to tell the truth). On the other hand, the thought of him getting his hands on the footy and being one of the key men, and the chance to actually make himself an Eels immortal. Surely, that's a proposition that can excite him, and get him motivated. (Not to mention it's probably the only chance he has of making million dollar a year salaries again).
To us it makes sense but Hayne is not your usual guy, I hope this is what he really wants but I doubt it.
We have too many frenetic players in key positions. We need a solid workman like player to play half and shift Moses to 5/8.
I'd be trying to find someone like a Chad Townsend to play halfback. Cool composed and you know what you will get.
I think that's the alternative Fathead - however, I do think Moses has the ability to become a controlling half. He did it last year, in a side he was brand new to. I feel like he's just trying too hard, and trying to do too much. I feel if you did the Hayne experiment, you'd say to Moses - look it's your team now, I want you to cut-out all the big plays and just play solid, because you've got a first receiver and fullback and let's make that their job.
Spot on FH, Moses is not a number 7. He's a running 6 and he has struggled this year when he has been the one leading the team around the park. Someone like Blake Green for two years would of been perfect until Brown is ready.
So the solution to Moses constantly overplaying his hand is to..........give him more responsibility?
Wow.
Really? That's your solution?
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