Matt Encarnacion
The last time Jarryd Hayne pulled on the blue and gold, he was pretty much the only player that could pull anything off for Parramatta.
But when the prodigal son plays his first game for the Eels in 1267 days on Saturday, Hayne has been promised he won't be doing any of the heavy lifting this time around.
Parramatta coach Brad Arthur on Tuesday named Hayne in the centres for their NRL trial against Newcastle, where he is expected to partner Josh Hoffman on the right edge.
Arthur accepts there is plenty of anticipation around Hayne's return - he was the game's best player in 2014 - but insists there's no extra desire to get their former superstar the ball.
"You know what, how we play is how we play. Jarryd's got a role to play in the centres at the moment. That's where he's been doing the majority of his training," Arthur told AAP.
It can be argued that Hayne has been a shadow of the player that helped him share the Dally M stage with Johnathan Thurston in his final season with the Eels in 2014.
That year, the former San Fransisco 49er averaged an impressive 178m per game, busted 132 tackles and broke the line 26 times.
In comparison, last year's Fullback of the Year Billy Slater averaged 126m per game, busted 80 tackles and the broke the line 13 times.
The fifth-year head coach believes Hayne's class will again shine - but in his new spot.
"He brings that bit of class to us and someone that just needs to do his job," he said.
"There's going to be occasions where, because of the ability that he has, he'll be able to break a game open or come up with something special just with his class factor.
"But we're not expecting him to do anything outside of what the team needs him to do and we're not relying upon him. He's just going to make us a better team."
Arthur named his strongest available line-up to take on the Knights, with Brad Takairangi making a notable start in the second row ahead of 18th man Tepai Moeroa.
New signing Kane Evans will make his first appearance for the club off the bench, while Hoffman and Kirisome Auva'a are the only wingers in a 22-man squad.
Replies
What is interesting to note here is that Hoffman apparently, if the writer can be believed, will be playing right wing with Auv'a on the left even though Hoffman is naturally a left sided player and Auva'a played on the right all year last year. This would suggest that when Guth gets back he will quietly slip into fullback & French to right wing.
BA giving Auva'a every chance to make the left side his own.
Was my first comments on the team, Hoffman would be better suited to the left wing.
Full strenght 2018
Guthertson
Avua,a
Jennings
Hayne
French
Norman
Moses
Alvaro
King
Mannah
Mau
Takerangi
Brown
Scott
Edwards
Evans
Matagi
Smith
Meroa
I think Smith will be named in the 17 on occasions depending on who we are playing.
If Meroa cant make the 17 we are looking very strong. With Vave, Teripo, prichard and Hoffman ready to cover for injuries.
Gutho Smith and Hayne can play in the halves so we are well served in that department.
We have good depth in the 9 aswell with
King, Smith, and Prichard.
Our Depth all over the Park is the strongest in the NRL IMO.
Predicted finish 3rd
Totally agree... We haven't had this depth in a long time.
I like em all and wish they could all play as I think they offer something to the team. With that type of competition, fingers crossed we have a good dig this year and give it a real shake!
Thing that surprised me with the selection is that once Gutho comes back it is possible that French goes to a wing spot, up to this point of time he has played on the right wing, based on the aspect that Auva'a has been shifted to the left wing BA must be leaning towards him taking that spot.
All speculation though as the trial will be just a show and many changes in positions in both halves to give all players the opportunity to show their wares.
It will be interesting to see how all this unfolds. Princess is not expected to perform on field miracles so just maybe with BA easing the pressure of expectation will allow Princess to weave a little magic out wide regardless of who is outside him.