Eels dump shooting star Hayne

THEY have an off-field disciplinary record that would embarrass the Bulldogs, but Parramatta are finally ready to get tough on repeat offenders.

The Eels have today expected to suspend Jarryd Hayne, Weller Hauraki and Junior Paulo from the round one NRL opener against the Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium.

The dramatic stance by the NRL club follows a Kings Cross altercation that ended with shots being fired at the trio.

Hayne, Hauraki and Paulo have also each been fined $2000 for their involvement in the incident, which occurred on Monday morning and is being investigated by police.

Parramatta chief executive Denis Fitzgerald and his senior staff, including coach Michael Hagan, met yesterday to discuss what possible action to take.

"The Parramatta club has been left with no choice but to take firm action,'' Fitzgerald said today in a statement.

"Monday morning was the latest in a line of behavioural incidents featuring alcohol for the players involved and we hope that missing round one will send them and the rest of the playing group the strongest of messages.

"At the time of the altercation they had the opportunity to walk away and didn't. It is high time we said enough is enough. Their involvement in this incident has been highly damaging for the team, the club, our fans and sponsors, and most of all to the players personally.

"They have paid a high price and the timing of the standing down is unfortunate, coming in the opening round of the centenary season. However we just hope that missing such an historic occasion will help the message hit home.''

As well as missing the March 15 ANZ Stadium clash and dipping into their wallets, Hayne, Hauraki and Paulo will be given trauma counselling and also offered alcohol counselling.

The trio will be considered for selection for the Eels round-two game against the Warriors at Mt Smart Stadium on March 23.

Hagan yesterday said NRL players were all too aware they could be sacked from a club for misbehaviour and then simply sign with a new club.

"What I would say is that the deterrents in our game may not be great enough,'' Hagan said last night.

"If a player gets sacked from a club for whatever reason, some other club is going to pick him up tomorrow.

"The players know that and unless there are across-the-board sanctions put in place, they are going to continue to stuff up knowing that it is not going to impact on them too much. But I'm not sure what the answer is and I dont know if anyone does.''

Eels officials are fed-up with Hayne, Hauraki and Paulo - who were also part of a group which broke a $2500 plasma screen at Easts Leagues Club back in December.

Asked were his players listening to the club's threats against poor behaviour, Fitzgerald said: "I hope they are, they should be, especially words from the coach. If not, we will take strong disciplinary measures.''

Earlier yesterday, Hagan expressed anger at the behaviour of Hayne, Hauraki and Paulo. "It's something I'm growing tired of and we'll deal with those players (involved) in the appropriate manner,'' he said.

"I think the football club, fans and sponsors have all been let down. I think it's time these players started taking responsibility for themselves. We can't babysit them 24 hours a day.''