Ice wrote:Hayne is his fathers son. A friend of mine played with Manoa and said he was easily physically/skilfully the most talented player around during his days, but between the ears was the issue. I agree with you 100% Pieman, Slater is mentally stronger, that is the difference as far as I can tell. Though it would have been interesting to see if Hayne would have got and maintained that desire if he was surrounded by the likes of Smith and Cronk and Bellamy his entire career in the Storm system as opposed to the chumps he has had to carry, and how Billy's longevity may have gone had he been required to consistently carry a team. I'd guess Billy might have handled it better, but I doubt he would have achieved what Hayne has, and though I imagine the Storm would have won GFs I don't think Hayne in a Storm jersey would have been as consistent as Slater has been, and that too comes down to Billy being far superior between the ears.
It's so frustrating and not totally uncommon for some people who physically are clearly superior to basically not really care that much and lack motivation or seem totally disinterested. I played basketball with a guy that should have played for Australia. He ran rings around everyone throughout his school life and in state comps, got offered a Cannons contract and basically said "nah, too much effort,not enough fun". It didn't help that he smoked waaaaaaay to much weed either, but god I found it frustrating, but he just liked playing with his mates. And then the opposite happens, i play against a kid and think, yeah, he has some game, but never expect it to go far, next thing you know he is winning championships with the Spurs, because he is mentally tough, has the desire and the family support Tom motivate him to overcome any shortfall in his physical capabilities.
Go figure.
The mental game is everything, it doesn't matter what you've got, if you haven't got the desire in your head, you won't make it, as per above, or you won't be consistently great, which is the problem Hayne has faced.
Yeah good post mate but still.. They are all if's and but's with the "if he was in the storm system". For all we know, the storm system wouldnt have worked as well and he would have clashed with the coach and Bellamy would have been sacked a few years in. Its all just a guess and with Hayne's track record, him not getting along with the hard working players and with coaches is far more likely than them winning multiple comps there. He also might have had his attitude squashed early on in his career and he may have gone on to be better than Slater. Who knows.
It is frustrating to see because its also not uncommon for the best players growing up to work hard and become the best players in the NRL, or at least consistent players. I totally agree with you about some of the talented guys not really caring but It also goes both ways, and its not like Hayne was the best player at school and didnt make it. He made it. He showed how good he can be. He actually did it. Why couldnt he be more consistent, why couldnt he sustain his peak for longer? Was a lot of what he did in the back end of 2009 a fluke?? Most of what I remember from that time is some brilliant broken field running, some chip and chases and some long cut out balls. None of it was structured and he got some great bounces through that period.
Absolutely, mental toughness is prob 70% of the game. 30% of it is being physically well built and natural skill.
There is chatter that he has quit the titans and wont be going back after the world cup too so will be interesting to see what happens there. Honestly, who takes him if he does quit?
I would fucking love to see him play in Melbourne to test the theory - but that wont happen.
He would be an awesome fit at the dogs but they dont have the money unless they punt half their roster
Tigers? He is a fair upgrade on Lolohea but is he worth the money?
Newcastle? I wouldnt hate having him because of his potential but he isnt the right fit thats for sure
Parra wouldnt want him with Gutherson at fullback, unless hayne is happy to play centre (which he might be at this stage in his career) plus it would be great to see him under a hard nosed coach like Arthur.
Souths? They need a fullback now but wouldnt be able to afford him surely.. then again with what the roosters have done, anything is possible.
Penrith? He would actually be a pretty good fit there IMO
I actually wouldnt mind seeing him play Union for one of the super rugby franchises but its more likely he would go to france or something
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