Ex-Eels star Jarryd Hayne celebrates Parramatta’s grand final berth in wild scenes in western Sydney as he remains on bail while awaiting third trial for sexual assault
- Former NRL star Jarryd Hayne was elated to see Eels beat Cowboys on Friday
- Parramatta will play in their first NRL Grand Final since 2009 on October 2
- Hayne posted a series of clips on Instagram showing scenes in Parramatta
- 34-year-old faces a third trial for sexual assault allegations in March next year
Fallen NRL star Jarryd Hayne was on cloud nine after Parramatta progressed through to the Grand Final on October 2.
The former fullback – who remains on bail as he awaits a third trial for sexual assault next March – was in the mood to celebrate as the Eels beat the Cowboys 24-20 at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on Friday night.
It will be the blue and golds’ first NRL decider since 2009.
Hayne, who made his NRL debut in 2006, shared footage to Instagram of honking cars and chanting Eels fans on the Parramatta streets following the come-from-behind victory in Townsville.
‘If your (sic) not from western Sydney you wouldn’t understand,’ he wrote.
Jarryd Hayne last played for the Eels in 2018, but his love for the NRL club which made him a star remains strong
The former fullback was in the mood to celebrate as the Eels beat the Cowboys 24-20 at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on Friday night (pictured, with wife Amellia Bonnici)
‘Boys don’t know what there in for this next week! Best supporter base in the country!
The 34-year-old also predicted the Panthers will win the other NRL preliminary final against South Sydney on Saturday night at Accor Stadium.
‘Eels v Panthers GF. Be one of the best eva! (sic) ‘Can we have (the) same ref and touchies next week! Cheers!’
Hayne played in Parramatta’s 2009 grand final defeat at the hands of Melbourne, producing career-best form leading into the year’s biggest game.
The Storm were later sensationally stripped of the premiership for historical salary cap breaches.
And as long-suffering fans will tell you, the Eels have not won a premiership since 1986, the longest drought in the NRL.
Last year, a jury found Hayne – the one-time Dally M winner – guilty of sexually assaulting a woman at her Newcastle home on NRL grand final night in 2018.
At the peak of his powers, Hayne virtually guided Parramatta himself to the 2009 Grand Final – only to lose to the Melbourne Storm, who were later stripped of the premiership due to salary cap breaches
Hayne has vehemently denied the allegations, insisting the sexual encounter was consensual.
Hayne has twice faced a jury over the allegations – his first trial in Newcastle in late 2020 resulted in a hung jury.
The second trial resulted in a guilty verdict on two counts of sexual assault, with Hayne jailed for five years and nine months.
He walked free on February 15 after the Court of Appeal quashed his conviction.
However, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) then confirmed a third trial, set down for March 6 at Sydney’s Downing Centre.