‘Shattered’ Jarryd Hayne leaves Titans to be close to daughter
JARRYD Hayne’s inglorious career at the Gold Coast Titans is officially over, paving the way for his Parramatta return
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JARRYD Hayne’s inglorious career at the Gold Coast Titans is officially over.
Hayne was released from his $1.2 million contract on Thursday afternoon, paving the way for a return to Parramatta.
The Hayne Plane requested a release on compassionate grounds after his former partner returned to Sydney with their young daughter.
He will leave the Gold Coast after winning just eight of 23 matches and failing to live up to lofty expectations.
“The last 16 months have been testing and joyful all wrapped up into one. I thank the Titans members, fans, Board, staff and players for what they have done for me and my family over that time, with special mention Rebecca Frizelle, Graham Annesley and Anthony Laffranchi,” Hayne said in a statement.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time on the coast, I love the community and the laid-back lifestyle. I thank every person, fan and sponsor that I‘ve met during my time here and wish the Titans all the best in 2018.”
The fallen superstar will then sign a deal with Parramatta for next season worth an estimated $500,000.
It is understood Hayne is prepared to sacrifice around $700,000 by quitting the club to return to Sydney for family reasons to be closer to his young daughter.
Titans sponsor Norm Black, who helped fund Hayne’s signing last year, confirmed the Fijian World Cup star is shattered to be leaving the club.
“Jarryd is leaving, it’s a done deal at Parra,” Black said.
“I don’t know what the term is because he can’t officially sign with Parra until he is released by the Titans, but I can’t see the club standing in his way on compassionate grounds.
“Jarryd is devastated by all this, he is genuinely rattled.
“The reason he asked for a release is because of the suggestion he would hang around for a few months at the Titans to get $180,000 out of the club. He said I would never take money under false pretences from the Titans.
“Jarryd would have happily honoured the final year of his deal at the Titans, but his family situation has changed that. It was either quit rugby league altogether or go to Sydney and help with his child.
“He is prepared to leave to be close to his child. It’s admirable that Jarryd would give up all this cash to be with his daughter.
“Rugby league is a job, but family and personal happiness has to come first.
“That opened his eyes during the World Cup, he really saw that being in camp with the Fijian guys.”