Hayne gets a seat on Parramatta bandwagon
JARRYD Hayne is the No.1 ticket-holder on the Parramatta bandwagon, but fears the Eels almighty effort against Melbourne over the weekend simply “awoke the beast’’.
Hayne is enjoying some down time before playing for Fiji – not Australia – in the World Cup, but is hoping his former club can end a long title drought he knows all about.
“It would be great to see them win, and I was as devastated as anyone else to see them lose by two points,’’ Hayne said.
“If there was a time to beat Melbourne, it was last weekend. It was there for the taking.
“My biggest concern now is ‘the beast has woken up’.
“Melbourne were coming off two big wins, and Saturday was the most vulnerable you will see them this finals series. They won’t play that way again in the major semi.”
The Eels are favourites to beat North Queensland on Saturday and set up an all-Sydney preliminary final against the Sydney Roosters.
Hayne also said he would definitely play at the Titans in 2018, and was happy to stay out of the debate about who replaces axed coach Neil Henry.
Laurie Daley has been tossed up as a contender, as well as sacked South Sydney coach Michael Maguire.
“I don’t know what’s going on with the coach, and I think they have a selection panel in place. My job is to play footy,’’ Hayne said.
“I haven’t read the reports about Loz. Being a former player, Loz gets it from a player’s point of view, and that’s a huge thing being able to resonate with the players.’’