Private backers seal Hayne deal
THE conditions for Jarryd Hayne to spend season 2018 on the Gold Coast have fallen into place, with the superstar’s backers all back on board to ensure he is not out of pocket if he remains with the Titans.
Hayne’s contract is sitting in Titans boss Graham Annesley’s top draw ready to sign, with no negotiation needed.
The player and his agent agreed to terms when he joined the club last August, with year two of the contract an option in Hayne’s favour.
Third-party and marquee player deals are understood to make up a substantial part of Hayne’s $1.2 million-a-year paypacket though and these were only in place for the first year of the deal given the tricode star had yet to activate his option for 2018.
But backers have lined up again to help keep the star on the Coast for another year.
TripADeal owner Norm Black has said the company has budgeted for Hayne again next year and are set to stump up $400,000 if he re-signs.
And third-party backers not aligned to the club are also understood to be ready to sign cheques as well, making a longer Hayne stay on the Coast seem more likely by the day. Coach Neil Henry backed Annesley’s assertion that the Titans wanted Hayne to stay – and believes he will remain.
Hayne has served a crucial purpose for the Titans – bringing positive publicity to a club that was previously highlighted mainly for its failures.
As one of the highest profile players in the league, his choice of the Titans – after players like Nathan Peats and Konrad Hurrell had signed with the club – helped attract other representative players to sign, or at least consider signing, with the Coast.
But Henry sees more than just the PR value of the former Dally M medallist. He believes Hayne still possesses the skill set to compete at the top level.
But he is also prepared to go to Plan B if Hayne does not resign. And with hundreds of thousands of dollars set to be unlocked next year when they finalise payments to the five “ghost” players they are paying this year, the Titans would have a massive war chest if Hayne does walk away.