10 hottest stars who could replace Jarryd Hayne at Parramatta Eels in 2015 and beyond The Eels are on the hunt for a high-profile replacement to fill the void left by Jarryd Hayne and money is no issue. After Hayne decided to quit the Eels to chase his American dream in the NFL, the club is now on the hunt for a marquee man to fill the gigantic hole left by the superstar fullback. According to Eels CEO Scott Seward, the club are planning to use the free salary cap space to recruit some star power which doesn’t necessarily have to come in the form of a fullback. There has already been talk that Will Hopoate could be shuffled to the back to fill the role. The huge salary cap space opened up by the departure of Hayne, who was in the throes of thrashing out a new $1 million a year contract with the Eels, could allow Parramatta to better balance their side across the park. “This isn’t about one position,” Seward said. “While we have lost a fullback in Jarryd we’re not necessarily going to go like-for-like.” The following is a hit list of potential recruits: ISRAEL FOLAU The Wallabies star is under contract with the Waratahs and the Australian Rugby Union until the end of next season but that won’t deter the Eels from having a crack at the dual international. The Eels are also likely to have the assistance of the NRL should Folau want to return to the code. Folau’s younger brother, John, is also with the club which will work in their favour. The Eels went close to signing the 25-year-old in late 2012 when he announced he was leaving AFL club Greater Western Sydney until red-tape ruined the deal. JOSH HOFFMAN The unwanted Bronco is on the lookout for a new club and has been linked with the Gold Coast, Canterbury and the New Zealand Warriors. Hoffman was also linked with a move to Canberra, however the Raiders insist they are not pursuing the 26-year-old. Brisbane have already confirmed they would grant Hoffman a release from the final year of his deal due to Anthony Milford joining the club in 2015. Hoffman spent the bulk of the season playing five-eighth but views himself as a fullback. BRETT STEWART The former NSW State of Origin and Australian fullback may be under contract at Manly until the end of the 2016 season but it is understood he is disgruntled with the club following the way they handled his brother Glenn’s contract situation. Stewart, 29, has already requested a release and been linked with Canterbury and Canberra. The Sea Eagles have young guns Peta Hiku and Clint Gutherson waiting in the wings, both viewed as suitable replacements for Stewart should he be granted a release. With halves Kieran Foran and Cherry-Evans off contract at the end of next season and the priority for the club, Stewart’s release is likely to come to fruition. Eels mentor Brad Arthur is no stranger to Stewart. Arthur is a former Manly assistant, having worked under Geoff Toovey in 2013 before taking his post as head coach of the Eels. BEN BARBA Similar to the situation Josh Hoffman finds himself in, Barba is in limbo of sorts with the arrival of Anthony Milford and the possible arrival of Darius Boyd. Should the Newcastle custodian join the Broncos, Barba’s position will be in doubt. Barba is under contract until the end of 2016 but may be granted a release to explore his options. The Brisbane livewire joined the Broncos in 2014 and had an indifferent season, failing to reach the heights which saw him win the 2012 Dally M medal. Barba spent the bulk of the season playing fullback before shifting to five-eighth, however Bennett has already stipulated that Milford will be wearing the No. 6 jersey. DARIUS BOYD Not off contract until next season the Knights will not stand in Boyd’s way should he want to break his contract, worth an estimated $600,000 annually. It is no secret Boyd is eager to reunite with Bennett in Brisbane. However, it is not known if the Knights would release Boyd should the Eels express interest but he is a free agent for 2016. KIERAN FORAN The Manly five-eighth is under contract until the end of next season and set to become the league’s next $1 million-a-season player. Last month Foran admitted his long-term future with the Sea Eagles was uncertain following a year of reported disharmony between the senior playing group and club management. Foran enjoys a close relationship with departing backrower Glenn Stewart as well as Anthony Watmough, who is tipped to join the Eels next year. The 24-year-old Kiwi international won the Sea Eagles’ players player award this season and has a good relationship with Eels coach Brad Arthur. ALEX JOHNSTON The South Sydney ace is off contract at the end 2015 and expected to be in high demand. A South Sydney junior, Johnston made his NRL debut in round eight, scoring 21 tries in 18 games. Many at Redfern view the premiership winning winger as Greg Inglis’s successor but should the Eels come knocking; the Rabbitohs may never get the chance to see what Johnston can do with the No. 1 on his back. The 19-year-old is set to make his Test debut for Australia in the upcoming Four Nations tournament and only in his rookie season. ADAM REYNOLDS Question marks have surrounded the future of the premiership winning halfback all season. The 24-year-old is a local junior and keen to renew his deal which expires at the end of 2015 but as a sharp shooting clever half, Reynolds could command big money on the open market. Reynolds’ management and the Rabbitohs had placed contract negotiations on hold until the end of the season but with the club winning their first premiership 43 years, negotiations are set to begin. Eels halfback Chris Sandow, who left the Rabbitohs at the end of 2011, is off contract at the end of next season, putting the club in the market for a marquee half. TRENT HODKINSON A Cabramatta junior, the 26-year-old is off contract at the end of next season. Hodkinson, who led NSW to their first State of Origin series victory in nine years, is a top priority for Bulldogs management. Canterbury have begun negotiations with Hodkinson’s manager, fast-tracking plans to re-sign the former Sea Eagle. Hodkinson was recruited to Manly from Parramatta at the end of 2008 and grew up playing alongside the likes of Jarryd Hayne. STEVE MATAI The former Kiwi international has made no secret he wants out of the club. Earlier this year the Sea Eagles refused to grant Matai a release to join the Warriors on a four-year deal worth $2.4 million. The 30-year-old centre then rejected a two-year extension to stay at Brookvale. Matai is keen to test the open market and would be an ideal replacement for Will Hopoate should the young gun move to fullback next season. Matai is no stranger to Eels coach Brad Arthur and is close friends with Anthony Watmough who is expected to announce his defection to the Eels before the start of the pre-season. Other players off contract for the 2016 season include: Daly Cherry-Evans, Luke Keary, Trent Merrin and Aidan Guerra, Albert Kelly, Aidan Sezer, Kirisome Auva’a, Gerard Beale, Konrad Hurrell, Shaun Kenny-Dowall and Sione Mata’utiai.
Posted on: Sat, 18 Oct 2014 02:46:44 +0000
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