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Jarryd Hayne's lackadaisical approach to training has finally resulted in a hit to the hip pocket after the Gold Coast leadership group fined him during the off-season.
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Mitchell shines in Roosters victory
Latrell Mitchell scored a hat-trick as the Sydney Roosters ran out to a comfortable 32-18 win over the Gold Coast Titans.
Hayne was stung a five-figure amount for a minor breach during the summer to reinforce to the squad that standards must be adhered to, no matter how big a superstar you are.
Former Parramatta teammate Nathan Hindmarsh, perhaps only half-joking, described his former teammate Hayne as the worst trainer he had seen. Previous coaches and players haven't been prepared to pull him up about his attitude, but senior Titans players made a statement about the club's culture in an attempt to keep the "Plane" grounded.
"The players have a leadership group and they impose their own standards," a source said.
Hayne was the skipper at the Eels before switching to the San Francisco 49ers, but the Gold Coast brains trust overlooked him for the role in favour of Kevin Proctor and Ryan James leading the club's 2017 campaign.
Hayne has an option in his favour for 2018 in his Titans deal but has indicated he will consider all alternative sporting avenues.
Titans break may be over for Peats
Could Nathan Peats be making his way back to Parramatta?
Peats was the sacrificial lamb when the Eels needed to squeeze a player out during last season's salary cap debacle, but a comeback to the blue and golds could be on the cards. The Titans hooker is off contract at the end of the year and we hear he and his management are open to an Eels return.
It appeared that bridge had been burnt when Peats' father, former NRL player Geordi, unloaded on the "five f---wits on the board who can't add up" during the salary cap crisis.
The Titans fear Peats could return to the Eels, but remain in the box seat for his signature.
Man in demand?: Kieran Foran. Photo: Getty Images
Rabbits watching Foran closely
We keep hearing South Sydney are taking a great deal of interest in the comeback of Kieran Foran. The Rabbitohs had a crack at Foran when he left Parramatta, but the Warriors ultimately jagged his signature.
Souths lost Luke Keary to arch-rivals the Roosters in the off-season and are on the lookout for a marquee playmaker to partner Adam Reynolds in the halves.
Having invested so much time in his recovery, the Warriors will want Foran to remain long-term. However, the opportunity to be closer to his young family may tempt the former Kiwi international back to Sydney.
Andrew Johns spent plenty of time working with Foran while a halves coach at Manly. The eighth Immortal believes the premiership-winning playmaker could return to his best in a spine containing Shaun Johnson, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Issac Luke.
"I think that combination of Kieran and Shaun Johnson could be anything," Johns said. "If they get everything right, the Warriors, with them two working together, it's pretty exciting.
"He [Foran] went through an awful time [last year]. I think the best thing for Kieran, for his recovery, is to play and be around his teammates. I look forward to him coming back in round three. I don't know why it's not round one, I don't know what's going to happen in two weeks. I'm just glad he knows and he's back playing."
Gate takings on the up
Which NRL superstar almost ended up in serious strife after ripping the gate off a fence at a house party? There are growing concerns about how his off-field behaviour could derail his club's premiership campaign.
Close to a new deal: Brisbane's Corey Oates. Photo: Getty Images
Oates set to re-sign
Queensland Origin star Corey Oates is close to coming to terms with Brisbane on a contract extension. Several clubs were keen on Oates but the three-quarter is expected to stay put.
Lussick to share the glove
Manly forward Darcy Lussick is likely to be the latest footballer to lace up the boxing gloves in the next edition of the Ladbrokes Star of the Ring charity fight night. Last year's event was the highest-rating boxing bout in Fox Sports history and a number of NRL stars are keen to take part this year.
Lussick, who doesn't pull any punches when the Sea Eagles boys do boxing training, has expressed an interest in becoming involved.
Segeyaro knows the rules
James Segeyaro hasn't been idle while trying to sort out his rugby league future. The former Panther, whose career is in limbo as the result of a contract dispute with English club Leeds, has launched clothing label YKTR, which stands for You Know The Rules.
Segeyaro has embarked on the venture with fellow NRL stars Corey Norman and Isaac John while trying to sort out a transfer to Cronulla.
Star gazing
Which NRL star has been fraternising with his club's cheerleaders? There will be massive drama on the home front if this one gets out.
A Friend in Society
Jake Friend will have plenty of hands-on experience to call on after embarking on a business venture during the off-season.
Friend is running a cafe, High St Society, which has been popular with league types since its opening in Randwick. The Roosters skipper knows plenty about the industry after working as a sandwich hand at Cafe Foveaux during his NRL suspension in 2009.
Des joins call centre
Des Hasler recently hit the phones to urge Canterbury members who haven't renewed for 2017 to do so.
We hear Hasler had a remarkably high conversion rate, with few supporters daring to tell the two-time premiership-winning coach that they had given up on the club.
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