HAYNE IN THE NECK
SUPERSTAR’S DRAMAS SPARK YET ANOTHER TITANS HEADACHE
A DEFIANT Gold Coast Titans expect $1.2 million superstar Jarryd Hayne to report for pre-season training despite talk among his inner circle that he wants a release to be closer to his baby daughter. “There’s no reason to (seek clarification), he’s contracted,” Titans CEO Graham Annesley said.
A CLOSE friend of Jarryd Hayne says the star fullback has been “rattled” without his daughter, as he looks set to leave the Gold Coast for a return to Parramatta.
Hayden Knowles – who worked with Hayne at Parramatta and during his time in the NFL – says the Origin star has confided in him about his personal family dilemma.
Knowles was set to reunite with Hayne on the Gold Coast next season in his role as a conditioner, but this will now change.
As revealed by the Bulletin, Hayne’s agent Wayne Beavis has informed the Titans he is now looking for opportunities elsewhere.
It is believed the two-time Dally M medallist wants to return to Sydney be closer to his daughter, Beliviah Ivy, and Parramatta are the frontrunners for his signature.
Knowles would love to work alongside Hayne, but says he fully respects if he puts family before football.
“I have spoken to Jarryd about his family issue and his baby and he has been rattled about it,” Knowles said.
“I do know that he has some issues with his baby. I’m not aware if he is going to move clubs, but I do know there have been a few issues.
“She (his partner) moved home with the baby.
“It will be a shame if I go up there and he isn’t there, but he has got to do what is right.”
Knowles said he would still honour his conditioning role at the Gold Coast.
He says his main reason to join the Titans was to deliver on his promise to link with new coach Garth Brennan.
“Garth approached me a while back and said if he was going to Newcastle he wanted me to go with him back then,” he said. “He then said if he ever gets a job he’d be calling me again.
“I’m really looking forward to working with Garth. People have got big wraps on his coaching, but he is also a real good fella.”
Knowles believes Brennan’s caring ways make him the perfect coach to handle Hayne’s personal issues.
“He (Garth) would be the most understanding and caring kind of coach about this baby issue,” he said. “I’m sure if something has to be worked through with Jarryd, he is the best coach for it.”