The Clues:
This has been a fantastic year for Jarryd Hayne. He mentioned in his press conference that it was a lack of courage 12 months ago, in addition to an emotional tie to Brad Arthur that kept him in the NRL for the 2014 season.
Perhaps his success has emboldened his resolve and allowed him a sense of fulfilment and freedom to pursue his dreams. Personally, I feel that winning State of Origin this year was a huge factor for Jarryd. As one of the senior team members playing the role of his preferred custodian position, he conquered a goal 9 years in the making.
Prior to this, he won a Rugby League World Cup with Australia in the United Kingdom forcing his way into the starting XIII playing centre (a foreign position). He absolutely dominated and was named Player's-Player, ironically sharing the honour with one Jonathan Thurston.
How much better could this 12 month period be for Jarryd? He was jointly named Dally M player of the year with J. Thurston after producing consistently amazing offensive, defensive and leadership qualities throughout the year. And we, the Parramatta Eels came so close this year to cracking the finals.
Another factor was Detroit Lion Mr. Reggie Bush's visit to Australia in June. Lauded as one of the best running backs in the NFL, his job was promote the game. It worked.
Bush praised Hayne's talent and stated that Hayne possessed the skills to be a powerful running-back. "I think he'd do well actually because he's quick, he's elusive, he's powerful, he's fast, he has great vision and those are all the things you need to play running back in the NFL." Bush went on to explain that Hayne could even become a quarterback after he learned the finer points of the game. "It's possible, yeah. Because you know when I was talking to Jarryd... I was saying how in rugby league you have to be kind of a running back, a punter and a quarter back all at the same time."
Hayne is an avid follower of the NFL. I recall an article where Jarryd was analysing the idea of the individual sportsman being a "brand". He stated, "In the NFL, because they are in the market of competing with so many sports, they want their players to take up as much of the corporate sponsorship as possible. In rugby league, the NRL try to take the most [money] out of it, then go to the players. Well, it's the players who are the ones who are attracting the corporates and the dollars. If the players had more ownership of their image, they'd have more responsibility."
Furthermore Hayne explained, "If Marshawn Lynch [Seattle running back] goes and eats Skittles, the next day he's got a Skittles contract. Just little things like that, they are all about making the most of it while you can. The NRL is behind [the times] and it hasn't hit them yet. They don't understand it. We should be encouraging our top players to try and get every possible corporate sponsorship out there because we're competing against rugby, AFL, soccer and cricket. They are limiting and restricting it because of what they want to get out of it. They haven't found that balance, they haven't got the blueprint of what the NFL do. The NRL are always putting stops on it or there are always people you have to go through and check with this person and that person. At the end of the day, the NRL should be letting the players soak up as much of the corporate sector as possible."
In conclusion, I feel that these are some possible clues leading to Hayne's decision. I have admired and idolised him for a long time and I hope that one day we will see him return to Australia and to the Eels. I don't know how long that may be, but I really do wish him the best of luck.
I am torn because part of me hopes that he returns sooner rather than later, but this would most likely mean that he is unable to crack the first string side and actually play in the NFL. Definitely the larger part of me wishes (as a patriotic Australian and NRL fanatic) that arguably our best, most complete rugby league player can dominate a foreign sport in a foreign country.
Maybe that will help to demonstrate just what kind of stuff Australian rugby players are really made of.
All the best Jarryd, I will follow your career with particular interest no matter where it takes you.
Replies