Eels remain eager to re-sign Hayne

Jarryd Hayne still has two weeks of holidays left but the Parramatta Eels are eager to start contract extension talks with the 30-year-old star.

Hayne previously said he would use his post-season break to have a think about his future.

The Eels are due back for 2019 pre-season training on November 1.

The club wants the Hayne situation wrapped up by then, although they are still to begin detailed talks.

"Jarryd is just back from vacation so we're not rushing anything just yet – taking our time," Eels CEO Bernie Gurr told NRL.com.

"We want Jarryd to play and our belief is, although we haven't spoken yet, is that he wants to stay.

"Within the next month, we'll be having discussions with Jarryd and see what happens."

The length of the contract is a sticking point between the club and Hayne's management.

Hayne's value in attracting fans is undisputed, and having a bright new shiny stage – the refurbished 30,000-seat Parramatta Stadium – for him to perform in is also a plus.

His worth to Brad Arthur's team was on show in 2018 despite his disrupted year through a nagging hip-flexor injury and then a stomach/bowel complaint that led to a change in diet.

Hayne only managed four appearances in the first 13 rounds, before playing the final 11 matches. In 15 appearances he scored 10 tries, had four try assists and 10 line breaks. He also averaged 118 metres and five tackle busts per game.

His best individual performance was a hat-trick against the Dragons in a 40-4 Eels win in round 22.

Hayne was used primarily as a left centre, having started nine matches there, with four on the left wing, one on the right wing and one at fullback.

But Arthur swapped the dynamic runner in and out of the fullback role with great success this year.