Jarryd Hayne has been sounded out by Fiji Bati, and given an opportunity to play in the upcoming games.
Hypothetically, if he goes alright and proves he's still a decent first grade level player, would you take him at parra?
The most naturally gifted player to ever play the game imo, at 36 I reckon he's still as good a player as Russell, Dunster ect...
Perhaps a spot on the wing a depth? Maybe not first choice but to have around. Jennings did it. If he can get down to his old playing weight and fitness levels I'd do it on minimum wage and I think Hayne would to.
Your thoughts? Of course this is just a thought, nothing too serious as it's off season.
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Fair points HOE. And to be clear I'm not nor have I ever been a fan of wiping Hayne from the history books - his brilliant years and his talent will never be forgotten and shouldn't be hidden because of his extracurricular activities.
My point is - we are a club coming out of the wilderness with clear cultural problems. We have a deep division between players and club and a previous coach who (for better or worse) created a siege mentality.
If we truly want to reinvent ourselves and create this new Eels culture of hard work, engagement, teamwork and winning...does Hayne represent that? His legacy suggests not. Hayne was always bigger than the team, bigger than the game - he was a brand unto himself. And whilst all of that self promotion made him a superstar, it was also the cause for his numerous indiscretions and ultimately his fall.
I would love to involve previous Eels players who were Eels at all costs - who were people we'd be proud to lead the culture of tomorrow. Haynes story simply doesn't fit that design. If he wants to be involved in the club in the background, quietly, without any fanfare or self promotion...I'd be all for it.
I've wanted to see Hayne have a redemption arc since he was 18 and I always believe it's never too late to change. But redemption arcs don't start with the headlines, they start with the hard work. Let's see if that is something Hayne is interested in now. Call me a sceptic or a realist, but I'm not going to hold my breath. I would love to be wrong.
I think Cappy you just created the example of why we need to be better, not because we decided to be politically correct or be seen to be something we want to be, but to look after our own and support them in need. If the need is not there so be it, but we could/should show that we tried. That needs to be part of the culture we all aspire to.
Hoe raises the question in no different fashion, it maybe inviting him to a BBQ, it could have been as a guest for KTM.....there are a number of ways to be gracious and thankful without selling your soul. It could be a simple aknowledgement of how we are pleased his legal matters are now behind him.
Like it or not, he is not only a part of our history, but one of our greatest players, none of that can be erased.
Being gracious and thankful without selling our soul. That's an awesome way to put it Pops.
And if it were that kind of involvement, I think it would be fine...and agree with your first point that part of a good culture is to look after everyone, including our vulnerable, regardless of their past.
The right kind of involvement would be key. If Hayne is interested in Chapter 1 of his redemption arc, then let's do it. But as you suggested, it'd be a club BBQ, or a guest at functions - not as a superstar, but as a past player on equal footing with all our other ex players and alumni.
As long as it doesn't become about self promotion for Hayne, I'm all for it. I guess the question remains...is this something Hayne would want?
I was talking to some ladies the other day.One lady who lives in Byron Bay said there are about 30 houses in her street. All the houses in her street except hers is now an Airbnb which can earn over $5000 ? PW in holiday season. Byron has a massive homeless crisis. A once great community feel about Byron from locals no longer exists..
Good post HOE . How does he redeem himself?. I think he would be going through a deep depression . A good way to get out of it would be to be humble and give something back of himself. I don't know what his teaching/ communication skills are like but a good start maybe is to do some junior coaching and build from there.I agree with you. The club being a bit pro active and help him out somehow. Not sure if women would respond favourably
Captain, the showing of Porn to the schoolies was unfortunate, accidental and totally embarassing to Hayne. (kids as well). You do agree it was unintentional. Accompanied with bad luck it could have happened to anyone. (Except me, you accept). The 'cash money fam' I'm not familiar with so apologys there. At the Goldy, initialy he was still in Gridiron mode so wasn't fit for League, took some time to get his body back right for RL so agree he would have had trouble being motivated for training. I admired his stance in never playing against Parra, always reporting sick or injured! As for your opinion he was a flog, I doubt you ever had the chance to formulate that opinion as Jarryd ws notorious for ducking engagement with the fans as f they were lepers. In that context he was very aloof, using that as his defense mechanism. And as for Netflix, with their 'No Dickhead' Policy, which I admit can be beneficial, I'm stoked they were not our main sponsor while Hayne was with us, as right now we could have nothing to argue about over Jarryd Hayne, who I will always maintain, was worth the trouble.
Richard I think HOE made a comment which basically said about the culture we live in " use it, lose it , get a new one" we live in a disposable alienating culture. Hayne and many others simply reflect society and our care culture is going backwards . Lots of good vibes are still around with people who give or donate their services with volunteer work and giving to others in need. That is where healthy culture lives. Not sure how the heavy commercializing of anything promotes a healthy culture.
Tad, I'm having a little trouble making out your message
Richard thanks for pointing it out mate.I have been posting some posts for a while now which can be confusing and poorly expressed. Maybe an age related cognitive issue?.
Basically the point I was trying to make is that we live very much in a disposable society where we don't value relationships as well as we used to. It's all about business and what you can get out of life rather than what we give to relationships. It comes down to the culture we live in some players will generally offer their services to the highest bidder .I can understand that.Their careers may only last a short time and they want to set themselves for life. Long term injuries may shorten their long term income potential.. That culture has ramifications for the spiritual type attachments any one throughout an organisation may have for long term bonding/ loyalty to any organisation. Sporting type clubs once served a purpose when life was much simpler when communities were smaller and people were more interactive in that community. I think the world is a much bigger place today with the exposure we have to so many more different communities where attachments are not serving the human belonging attachments to more intimate human needs. Hayne simply may have been detailed in a big confusing world where he has lost part of his soul of belonging to stability. I think a lot of us a living our life where we are searching to fulfil a senior belonging. Maybe this site serves that purpose for us. Cheers
Cheers Tad, I agree. I suspect Jarryd was confused early in life, living alone with his mom with his dad gone and his mom working 2nd jobs at nite leaving him by himself. His mom one time told me a story of him when he was about 11 years old, where he saidto her "mom can you come outside wth me cause there's a few boys my age outside who are waiting to bash me." His mom replied, "no Jarryd youve got to go outside and stand up for yourself or these kids will always be there chasing you." Jarryd went out to face his tormentors alone but with a housebrick in his hand!! I never did learn if the 'gang' stuck around but his mom was shocked at the 'edge' he gave himself.' My message here is he was out of favour with his own age group until he became known as a Gun in the world of League. For awhile in that world he had a little stability, at least compared to his earlier years.
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