RABBITOHS flyer Alex Johnston shapes as a potential replacement for Eels megastar Jarryd Hayne — with Andrew Johns describing him as “a future world class fullback”.
Still only 19, Johnston is part of a bumper 2015 open market that, with Hayne’s $1 million contract to spend, sees Parramatta looming as the biggest player.
While determined to avoid paying overs like previous administrations, Eels CEO Scott Seward insists his club “can now seriously negotiate with every available player”.
While Seward would not comment on potential targets, it’s understood one player being discussed is the teen with league’s eighth Immortal in his corner.
“Alex is a future world class fullback,’’ Johns told us.
“It’s not going to happen at Souths, with Greg Inglis there. But who knows?”
Other players who could take Hayne’s cash include Manly playmaker Kieran Foran, North Queensland enforcer Jason Taumalolo and Rabbitohs halfback Adam Reynolds.
Given both Foran and Taumalolo are being offered over $1 million to stay put, it means the Eels could potentially draw up their biggest-ever contract to replace Hayne.
“We have to turn Jarryd’s loss into an opportunity,’’ Seward says.
“That might be signing one key player, it might be signing two or three.”
Talks are also continuing between Parramatta and the NRL regarding salary cap concessions should Hayne suddenly come home.
The Eels are optimistic that, should Hayne return after a replacement has been bought, a way will still be found to keep him.
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"The Eels are optimistic that, should Hayne return after a replacement has been bought, a way will still be found to keep him."
It entered that mind that this was the whole idea about Hayne going to the NFL.
Parra and Hayne stand to get more from the NRL if Hayne was not actually in the NRL. We've seen other clubs get their way, so Seward & co may have figured it's time to fight fire with fire. I like that way of thinking.
The thing that got me thinking that was Hayne's declaration that he has a lifetime agreement with Parra.
I just thought that was a bit odd.
TJ, you should be very wary of anything said by either of the Johns brothers. They have been wrong time and time again. For example, they both coached Benji Marshall with the aim of creating a world class half back! Both said BM would be the best half back going around. Well, we have all seen what came of that.
Alex Johnston was on the radar of all clubs when he played full back in the lower grades, U20`s etc. He was a promising full back then. It`s a no brainer for anyone to predict that he could become a first grade fullback. It is a typical Johnsian exaggerational flurry to claim AJ "a future world class fullback." Have a sack of salt on hand when Johns brothers are pontificating on league.
I didn't say that I agreed or disagreed with the article. I simply provided it :P
I wish people just get over Hayne he's not coming back. just like Benji Marshall said to the tigers when he left them if I come back to the nrl I be playing with the tigers no one else. So he came back is he playing for the tigers NO
Would take him back in a heart beat, it's a no brainer.
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