Eels Blogs

He's the man you associate with Parramatta's Premiership challenge every year since 2009. The man they call the Hayne Plane has been Parramatta's biggest weapon over the past few seasons. He's the type of player every team wants but few have. In this writer's opinion, he's the ultimate footballer. Most players will have a number of physical attributes but lack in some areas. Hayne, as described by Peter Sterling, has one of the most perfect physical makeups in the competition. He has the speed of a Slater, the size and strength of a backrower, the palm of an Inglis and the agility of a Ben Barba. In full flight, he truly is a sight to behold.

The man's talent and ability is immeasurable. From the day he pulled on a boot, he was destined for glory in any pursuit he decided to take up at an elite level. Hayne's performed well in no matter what he's done. According to team mates and members of the A-League soccer side Sydney FC, Hayne is a natural with a soccer ball. But what people may not know, was his ability on the athletic track. As a schoolboy, racing in the nationals, he won the 100m hurdles without any training whatsoever, such was his natural ability. However, his true love was rugby league and his allegiance lay with the Parramatta Eels.

In 2006, with the Eels struggling and long time coach Brian Smith sacked, Hayne was given his chance under interim coach and former player Jason Taylor. Debuting as a winger, Hayne made his name as an expert finisher and intercept machine. In his first 16 matches in the top grade, Hayne scored 17 tries and claimed rookie of the year. An honour bestowed upon some of the greatest names at Parramatta and the NRL. His talent was identified by then NSW coach Graham Murray in 2007 and he made his State of Origin debut at the age of 19. On half time he showed why he was chosen when he scored one of the tries of the decade. With the siren going in the background, Brent Tate kicked the ball into Jarryd who was first to the ball. He picked it up, palmed off Justin Hodges and kicked the ball ahead. He outpaced both Slater and Hodges to the ball and slid over in the corner. That started his representative career and showed what a natural talent he was.

2007 saw Hayne enter his first full year in the top grade. Although he preferred the position of fullback, Hayne floated between centre and wing. He was unaffected by the perceived "second year syndrome" and was one of Parramatta's best. With the injury to club stalwart Luke Burt at fullback, Hayne was shifted to his preferred position. Whilst he didn't excel to the expectations of the supporters he did an admirable job. 2008 saw a turbulent year for Hayne. It seemed second year syndrome hit a year later. In February he was shot at in the Kings Cross and this seemed to rock his confidence. Like most of the team that year he failed to live up to the expectations placed on him but he was still destined for greatness.

2009 saw the arrival of new coach Daniel Anderson. Anderson, early on, tested Hayne at 5/8 due to his ball playing ability however it wasn't to be. Anderson then decided he'd play Hayne at his preferred position and see what happens. Hayne gave a playing masterclass over the following 7 weeks. He played at a level that put him in a class of his own. His ability to create something from nothing had opposition defences scrambling to find a chink in his armor. Many a time would teams come up with a plan to contain him and time and time again he'd show a new trick to evade it. In a quarter final against the Dragons he single-handedly beat 7 Dragons defenders to score what was voted the try of the season. Hayne finished the year, voted as the best player in the competition by winning the Dally M Award as well as other numerous accolades.

In 2010 Hayne was a marked man because of his previous season. He made regular shifts between fullback and five-eighth to develop his ball-playing ability. He still made double figures in his try tally but what had increased out of site was his try-assists. He regularly drew in opposition defences and would put his man away for a 4 pointer. His line-breaking ability wasn't lost though and he could still tear a team apart at will. 2011 was a disappointing year for Hayne and the team. Expectation was still large on him but coach, Stephen Kearney's game plan seemed to shackle his main weapon. He still played Origin but only after he was dropped for the first game. His ability was still there but he wasn't having the same impact as he once did.

2012 was a disastrous year for the Eels, yet Hayne still featured in State of Origin. When allowed to, Hayne showed flashes of the brilliance that he once produced en masse. Although he wasn't the force he once was, he showed why he was rated amongst the best in the game when the Eels met the Sharks early in the year. In a match in which the Eels lost, Hayne pulled off probably the greatest try assist of the year. In a backline movement on the Sharks' try line, he reeled in a pass and as he was about to be hammered by an approaching defender, flicked the ball behind his back, landing it square on the chest of his outside man.

The question now is, can Hayne perform at a consistently high level in 2013? Will incoming coach Ricky Stuart be able to have him switch on for longer periods during a match? Will Hayne ever recapture his 2009 form and lead the Eels to a premiership? We will find out next season.