Parramatta will offer Hayne new Eels deal: Arthur

Parramatta will offer Jarryd Hayne a contract for next season after recently informing him of their desire to keep him at the club.

The Eels and Hayne had agreed to hold off discussions until after the season however Hayne's irresistible form over the past two months has already convinced the club he can add value in 2019.

Hayne, who is off contract at the end of the year, hasn't put pen to paper however the club is confident of retaining his services despite a possible lure to chase a spot in Fiji's squad for next year's rugby union World Cup.

"He knows we want him," Eels coach Brad Arthur told NRL.com.

"We're not pressuring him. But he knows that if he wants to play in the NRL that we're the club for him. We want him at this club.

"It's getting to the stage in a couple of weeks time we need to finalise a few things with our roster. We're talking at the moment and we're having ongoing conversations without too much pressure. He just needs to make sure he plays well the next three weeks and we'll go from there."

Hayne is yet to decide whether he wants to continue playing in the NRL, however the Eels are hoping the lure of a new stadium and the chance to lead the club back to the finals will convince him to remain.

Hayne has nine tries, eight line breaks and 48 tackle breaks in the last eight weeks and has proven difficult to contain roaming around the paddock in different positions.

In the past Hayne's commitment has often come under the microscope. He was unfairly criticised following an injury-plagued opening to the season - Arthur believes it was his commitment to the team which contributed to his injury woes.

"He tried to get back early to get back on the park for his teammates that's how much it meant to him to help out," Arthur said.

"Everyone keeps saying he's playing well now because it's contract time, but that's got nothing to do with it. He was injured. Simple as that. He's played since the Cowboys game, which is eight games ago, and he's been consistently in our best players each week.

"Some weeks he might not be the best player or score three tries like he did last week but he's been a real point of difference for us.

"When the boys are sitting there lacing up their boots and they look around and see him there, I've noticed a bit more confidence about them."

Griffin denied Panthers HQ return

Anthony Griffin wanted to come back the day after he was sacked by the club to address the players and coaching staff.

The Panthers decided against it. It wasn't personal. They just deemed it inappropriate given the situation the club was in.

Griffin was expected to return to pack his belongings but the comments he made on NRL360 left a sour taste in the mouths of many at the club. That's when it became personal.

Several members of Griffin's coaching staff cleared his desk and packed his belongings into boxes and sent them to his manager Wayne Beavis in Woollahra.

Tigers fans don't think Ivan's terrible

There was plenty of angst towards Ivan Cleary from Wests Tigers fans last week, but it appears his statement on Saturday and the performance of his team against the Raiders won over the fans.

Cleary was the last person on the bus after the win in Canberra on Sunday, signing autographs and taking pictures with fans for half an hour after the match.

That support is expected again on Saturday night with the Tigers confident of a sell-out crowd at Leichhardt Oval for the crucial clash with the Dragons.

Speedster Holmes in no rush

It's expected Valentine Holmes will follow in the footsteps of Cameron Munster and put off all discussions around his future until after the season.

Holmes has attracted interest from North Queensland, but Cronulla want to extend his Sharks deal which expires at the end of 2019.

The Cowboys were hoping the Sharks would lure Ben Barba back to the Sutherland Shire and in turn would acquire the services of Holmes.

However, Shane Flanagan last week ruled out a play for Barba, leaving the Cowboys on the lookout for a fullback and potentially could open the door for Barba at the club.

Jersey ceremony pierces Mitchell's emotions

Mitchell Pearce teared up during the jersey presentation leading into his 250th NRL game against the Warriors last week. The Knights halfback was presented his jersey by his mother, Terri, and his girlfriend, Zoe Grant.

 

The views in this article do not necessarily express the opinions of the NRL, ARLC, NRL clubs or state associations.