Eels great Jarryd Hayne RUBBED OUT of grand final coverage by Nine and the NRL ahead of court date

Parramatta great Jarryd Hayne won’t star in Channel Nine or the NRL’s rolling coverage in the lead up to Sunday’s grand final as he continues to be rejected by the game that made him a superstar.

The fallen star, 34, is one of the Eels’ best ever players – but with a third court trial pending in March surrounding sexual assault allegations dating back to an alleged incident in 2018, he won’t be glorified in pre-match vision. 

It is understood both the free-to-air network and the NRL have formed the view it is wise to overlook Hayne’s previous feats in a blue and gold jersey given his uncertain future.

Hayne virtually guided Parramatta to the 2009 decider by himself on the back of scintillating career-best form, but the Eels were beaten by Melbourne.

The Storm were later stripped of the premiership due to salary cap breaches – and the Eels haven’t played in a grand final since.

It also comes after Parramatta refused to use footage of Hayne as they celebrated their 75-year anniversary earlier this year.

The ex-star, 34, is one of the Eels’ best ever players – but with a third trial pending for sexual assault allegations dating back to an alleged incident in 2018, he won’t be glorified in pre-match vision (pictured, with wife Amellia Bonnici)

In February, Hayne had a rape conviction quashed by the Court of Appeal, resulting in his release from Cooma Correctional Centre after he served nine months in jail

The fullback – who made his NRL debut on the wing in 2006 and went onto represent NSW and Australia – wasn’t invited to the club function.

In February, Hayne had a rape conviction quashed by the Court of Appeal, resulting in his release from Cooma Correctional Centre.

He served nine months in jail and faces a re-trial in March at Sydney’s Downing Centre.

After Parramatta beat the Cowboys last Friday to progress to the big dance versus Penrith, Hayne showcased his support for the club on social media. 

He shared footage to Instagram of honking cars and chanting Eels fans on the streets of Parramatta following the come-from-behind victory in Townsville.

‘If your (sic) not from western Sydney you wouldn’t understand,’ he wrote.

‘Boys don’t know what there in for this next week! Best supporter base in the country!

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

‘Eels v Panthers GF. Be one of the best eva! (sic) ‘Can we have (the) same ref and touchies next week! Cheers!’

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 guilty of sexually assaulting a woman at her Newcastle home on NRL grand final night in 2018.

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.

That conviction was overturned on appeal and Hayne walked free from Cooma Correctional Centre in February this year.