What’s The Buzz: Saint, sinner, shoosh – Dragons deny Jarryd Hayne’s contract claim

One week after featuring in the SG Ball decider, the Dragons have promoted 19-year-old Junior Amone to first grade to face the Bulldogs. And he isn’t the only teenager in the team.

St George Illawarra officials have denied Jarryd Hayne’s claims that he was on the verge of signing a $500,000 contract with the Dragons when he was arrested for sexual assault in 2018.

We have spoken to four key people — former coach Paul McGregor, ex CEO Brian Johnston, current general manager Ben Haran and recruitment chief Ian Millward — about Hayne’s statement during his sentencing address on Thursday.

Hayne told the court he was to sign a one-year $500,000 contract with the Dragons before the deal fell through when he was charged. Turns out this was not actually the case.

Jarryd Hayne has been sentenced to three years and eight months in prison for sexually assaulting a woman in 2018. Picture: AAP Image/Darren Pateman

Haran has confirmed he met with Hayne and his manager Wayne Beavis for talks.

“There was no point where we actually made an offer,” Haran said.

“We had a meeting with him like we do with a lot of players and there are multiple things that you look at. We didn’t get to a stage where we thought we should take it any further.”

Your columnist asked Haran again: “So can I write that the sexual assault charge had nothing to do with the club not signing Hayne.”

Haran replied: “That would be exactly the case.”

Talks did not even get to the level of Johnston, McGregor or the board for final approval.

The Dragons originally spoke to Hayne because he was close to McGregor from the NSW Blues State of Origin camp, but then dropped off.

Instead, McGregor went for the then Parramatta star Corey Norman because the Eels were prepared to heavily contribute to his contract.

Hayne’s manager Wayne Beavis declined to comment when contacted by The Sunday Telegraph.

The University of NSW soccer team in pink.

SAINTS

You’ve got to admire these boys from the University of NSW soccer club. They are playing today in loving memory of the late Dr Margaret Gardiner, a renowned Wollongong GP and public advocate for breast cancer awareness. Her son Gerald plays in the team. The boys are raising awareness for the National Breast Cancer Foundation by carrying the names of their mums on the back of their jerseys. It’s a lovely touch on Mother’s Day.

SINNER

Fallen footy star and convicted rapist Jarryd Hayne is now where he belongs, behind bars for the next three years and eight months. Your columnist hopes he suffers every day as much as the young victim who has fought so courageously to bring him to justice.

SINNER II

Cricket commentator Michael Slater’s Twitter tirade from India against Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Fancy blowing up about having to spend two weeks in the Maldives in order to ensure the health and safety of all Australians.

SHOOSH

Which media executive’s corporate AMEX card was declined at a famous Sydney Chinese restaurant last week? Our man begrudgingly used his own keycard to fix the bill.

SHOOSH II

Which sporting media personality lost his driver’s licence last week, after a penalty and fine for using his mobile phone while driving pushed him over the points limit?

SPOTTED

New Queensland Maroons Origin coach Paul Green shouting lunch for north-of-the-border NRL media heavyweights Peter Badel, Ben Dobbin and Travis Meyn at a Brisbane pub on Thursday.

SPOTTED II

Nothing is below retired footy superstar Sonny Bill Williams. The great man was photographed cleaning up with a rubbish bag at Roselands mosque last week after a prayer session. Picture: Bux Laalaa.

Former NRL star Sonny Bill Williams cleaning up.

SPOTTED III

Life in retirement isn’t too bad for Jake Friend. The old Roosters warhorse was spotted at the Oxford Hotel in Drummoyne on Wednesday enjoying a few beers.

SPOTTED IV

Manly Sea Eagles coach Dessie Hasler having breakfast at Harbord Diggers and wearing chino pants and THE brightest red socks you have ever seen.

SPOTTED V

Unemployed footy coach John Morris with 1988 Rothmans Medal winner and Cronulla Sharks legend Barry Russell at Johnny Wu Chinese restaurant. Russell is being urged by Sharks members to stand for the board at the next AGM.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison hosted John Morris at Kirribilli House. Picture: Phil Hillyard

PRIME TIME FOR MORRIS

Prime Minister Scott Morrison thinks a lot more of former Cronulla coach John Morris than Sharks CEO Dino Mezzatesta, the man who sacked him.

On Friday, Morris and his two boys, Cruz and Tag, were invited to meet ScoMo at Kirribilli House. The PM wanted to say thanks for his services to the Sharks and make sure he was feeling OK.

It was a brief catch-up but one that the highly regarded Morris really appreciated.

The Sharks have now lost four-straight games, conceding 126 points, since Mezzatesta inexplicably sacked Morris.

There is now huge pressure from outraged members and fans building on the Sharks senior management and board after Friday night’s 48-0 massacre at Penrith.

After being in contention to make the top eight with Morris, the Sharks are now firming in the betting market to be wooden spooners.

Junior Amone has been lighting it up for the Steelers’ SG Ball team and earned a place on the Dragons’ NRL bench. Picture: Julian Andrews

SG BALL TO NRL IN SEVEN DAYS

It’s not often a rugby league rookie will play S.G Ball one week and NRL the next.

Unless he has the talent of 19-year-old St George-Illawarra five-eighth Junior Amone.

The Illawarra junior played in last weekend’s S.G Ball grand final against the Canberra Raiders.

The raps on Amone are similar to Sydney Roosters star Sam Walker.

On Sunday he is on bench for the Dragons for the must-win match against the Canterbury Bulldogs, a huge rise for a youngster who only turned 19 three weeks ago.

Coach Anthony Griffin is debuting another youngster against the Dogs at Kogarah Oval.

Mathew Feagai, 20, has been called into the side on the wing to replace injured Cody Ramsey.

His twin brother Max debuted last weekend against the Wests Tigers.

After a promising start to the season, the Dragons have lost to the Warriors, Roosters and Wests Tigers in the last three weeks.

Trish Raudonikis and Michael with Tommy’s famous Test kit bag.

TOMMY’S KIT BAG RETURNS

The kit bag league that league legend Tommy Raudonikis was given before his Australian Test debut back in 1971 has been located and returned to his wife, Trish.

“It is so special and we are extremely grateful,” Trish said. “I will treasure it and pass it on to Tommy’s grandson, Cooper.”

Raudonikis gave it to a young fan called Michael back in the early ’70s.

“Michael was just a five-year-old and Tommy knew his dad,” Trish said.

“Michael’s had it all these years and he’d been trying to track me down for a long time.”

VALE MICK WILSON

Bush footy lost an absolute legend last week with the passing of Mick Wilson at
age 77. Mick gave 52 years of wonderful service to country rugby league as a player, coach and administrator. You’d always see him on the barbecue or selling raffle tickets.

Mick played one year for Cronulla back in 1968. He was also a life member of the CRL, Dubbo CYMS and St Johns JRL in Dubbo.

Mick — uncle of Panthers star Isaah Yeo — was an absolute gentleman and role model for young footy players, with seven children of his own and 34 grandkids.