Eels Blogs

For some time I had been dreading the prospect of a Hayne return to Parramatta. This is because, above all I value on field performance above all other success metrics when looking at an NRL club. My core argument is that Hayne will not bring us long term success.

Bums on seats, lots of memberships, nice stadium and facilities - yes, all nice to haves. However these will naturally come to Parramatta given our natural comparative advantages over our competition. We don't need Hayne to generate revenue for the club, it will come anyway.

What matters is that we win. And keep winning. This will accelerate memberships, development of facilities far better than the sugar hit of having the 'chosen one' return to us.

Today's news is actually really good in my opinion.

Why?

(1) Media scrutiny / player values

After a horrible, horrible 2016 season with truly insane levels of media and public scrutiny -the last thing we need is a Hayne media circus running the headlines for 2017. The team, a new board, BA needs a break. Lets face it - Hayne @ Parra means that we are in the papers, daily. He becomes the story. It's all about Jarryd and this decision to move to the Titans for money is a perfect example. This guy is not interested in building a legacy (or winning comps) in the vein of Thurston, Johns etc.

It's just about his profile first and money second. In emerging from the ashes of 2016 the last thing we need is to be lumbered with the enormous baggage that Hayne brings, seriously. Think long term.

(2) Culture and on field performance

The last few seasons have revealed to me that good coaching, culture and team work are the foundations of success.

I think everyone will agree that with a rather humble roster, we have over-achieved in 2016. Had we not suffered so many injuries or Norman's off field stuff - we would be nudging the 8. Even after losing 12 points and being put through the wringer!

What does that say about our 2016 attitude, our culture and our coach? It is very exciting in my opinion. We have a great balance in the team and players working for each other. We are not simply relying on one superstar's ability - remember the 'just throw it to Haynesy' era? What a depressing way to win football games. Hit and hope, inconsistent as the record books will show. Week to week.

What we need in 2017 is a season of quietly capitalizing on the huge on field gains this team has made in 2016, based on our culture and team mentality. Throw an attitude-bomb like Hayne in the mix, and everything changes. We lose development opportunities for outside backs, we modify our structures in attack, we hand over the captaincy (likely) to an individual based on football skill - and not attitude or leadership. He's not a leader because no one wants to follow him. I'd say that Hayne as a person is not respected by NRL players, partly due to it being all about his profile. Can you ever recall another player speak glowingly of Hayne as a person and not exclusively about his 'freak' skills or 'athleticism'? I can't. That's because he's a douche-bag.

His ego and influence will not be suppressed - even by BA. Hayne would be getting paid x4 BA's salary. He's done it all! Why bother listening to a grouchy ex-assistant coach from the northern beaches when you've-made-the-starting-roster-for-the-49 ers-and-are-the-most-in-demand-sportsman-in-Australia? This would be another Farah scenario on steroids.

(3) Ability = Wins Myth

Great players help of course but it's far more important to have a tight, happy team. The era of a team riding on one mega-player's coat tails died almost a decade ago. In the '09 GF he got targeted with smart kicks and rough tackles. He got nullified, fairly easily and we lost. I was there, I cried.

The argument around his ability winning us football games is tenuous at best. He's one injury away from becoming a liability. He's also approaching his twilight years. His best is past and even when in his prime we did not win, consistently. Again, week to week. Hit and hope. We did win a few spoons though. Thanks for contributing to the extra cutlery Jarryd.

Don't get caught up in the fabricated legacy and the romance of his return. These are facts, don't get angry - we were shite for huge periods when Hayne was playing for us and in his absolute scintillating prime. One GF loss does not make a legend player, don't believe the hype.

I fully accept that Hayne is a one of a kind NRL player. I still watch highlight reels of him in that Dragons game of 2009. Spine tingling, electric, untouchable. 

Wrong for Parramatta in 2017.

As of today, I won't be watching anymore of those Hayne highlight reels.