Jarryd Hayne has never been about money – he would have remained with the Parramatta Eels and raked in the millions if that was the case – but his brave roll of the dice is paying off in so many ways, including financially.

Hayne is now a global face of Under Armour clothing and has just signed a rich four-year deal with Paradice Investments, a  company that turns over $10 billion.

It happened after the head of the company David Paradice was captivated by his story. The original information I was told was that Paradice had forked out a significant six-figure sum for a few hours of Hayne's time – it was like he had purchased a share in Hayne Inc.

Paradice says there is a confidentiality clause in place regarding the details of the deal. He was happy to explain how it came about.

"I was about to hop on a plane at Melbourne airport when I caught Jarryd Hayne talking about his departure from the NRL – I heard him say that the only reason he played footy was to buy his mum a house," explained Paradice.

"Now I like rugby league and I follow it but I don't have a team – I instantly thought I liked this kid and I liked what he was about. I got on the plane and Alan Jones was on there.

"I approached him and asked him if he knew Jarryd – he said he did and he put me in touch with Wayne Beavis, his agent. I ended up having a meeting with Wayne and Jarryd when people were questioning why he'd do it. I wanted to make sure that Jarryd wasn't the kind of kid who was going to spend the money on booze or put it up his nose – I came away so impressed with him and I knew then that I wanted to back him – especially as people were doubting him.

"I see this story as something like the America's Cup story when we won with Australia II – it's got that us-against-the-world feel. I always believe that determination can get you anywhere – and it overrides ability."

Paradice caught up with Hayne in his early days at San Francisco.

"We had something to eat at The Cheesecake Factory and even when he was eating I got a sense of his professionalism – it was broccoli and that kind of thing," Paradice said.

"We talked about the tax system in America and he asked plenty of questions and he really got it ... he was just impressive. I thought we'd give the deal a trial run when he came back to Australia when he had his foot injury – I got a dozen clients together for a dinner at Spice Temple and they just loved hearing from him.

"We didn't sign a deal and as the hype started to get out of control I said to Wayne if the time had past and he had other things rolling in I understood – but Wayne was good to his word and we did a deal."

Farah cares

In limbo: Robbie Farah. Photo: Mark Kolbe

Robbie Farah is sunning himself in Bali right now and at the back of his mind must be the knowledge that the longer he stays put the more chance there is that Jason Taylor will need to explain why he should be kept.

"I'm just looking to unwind," Farah said of his getaway. "I've got no real worries because I've got a contract with the club."

Farah is sitting tight – he has $2million coming his way. When Farah was told he was not wanted by the club he was devastated. At the same time Robbie was told he was bound for second grade the board were told a few things – namely that it would not be a problem for Farah to get another club and importantly that the players didn't like Farah.

Players I have dealt with have nothing but praise for Farah as a person and leader. They say he has developed significantly in the last 12 months.

But here is the untold story of what Farah is like. Sitaleki Akauola was part of the Tigers' top 25 and shares an agent with Farah.

A product of South Auckland, he came to Australia to work and play some footy. He went to a trial and jagged a spot with the Tigers and in their main squad this year.

"It was a real proud moment in my life," said the 23-year-old. "But things were not good for long. I was put in the halves and I am not a half. I play back row and that's it. I was playing in State Cup and I felt terrible – I was putting so much pressure on [Josh] Drinkwater.

"I felt terrible. I am not a ball player. I felt terrible. I thought of seeing a counsellor – I'd get home from training and I did not want to talk or eat. I would go straight to my room."

Akauola says he was "ashamed with myself" when he was dropped from the 25-man squad.

"I was lucky that I had Robbie at the club and Dene Halatau and Keith Galloway. They noticed a big change and Robbie just would come up and ask talk to me. Same as the other boys. "They knew something was wrong – but they didn't understand just how bad it was for me. I eventually saw my brother and just told him that I really needed to talk to him. I was really depressed and felt isolated."

Taylor says the club kept an eye on the young player.

"We monitored his situation through Dene Halatau," the coach said. "It wasn't an official thing but Dene would report back to me on his condition and it was something we kept an eye on because players were concerned about him."

Akauola says he was thankful for his family: "I know there are other blokes at the Tigers who feel the same way ... the lack of communication, the isolation," he said. "They are younger than me and they may not feel able to talk up. I worry about their state of mind. I think now that I am away from the club I will be OK. I have a fresh chance at Penrith. I hope others get the chance for another start."

Rooster booster

The Roosters have always been a power club – but they have reached a new height. It's always thought that the second-most powerful person in the country is the Australian cricket captain – well, Steve Smith is a Roosters man. And with Eagles fans losing some power with Tony Abbott getting squeezed, the Roosters also have the support of Malcolm Turnbull.

Buddy's demons

Taking time out: Buddy Franklin. Photo: Getty Images

Every possible rumour about the behaviour of Buddy Franklin has crossed this columnist's desk in the past couple of weeks. When a story has an air of mystery about it, rumours fly.

I couldn't believe the Swans would cover for Buddy if he was battling anything other than mental illness. The story that I'm hearing from those who are close to Buddy is that his issues are so severe that he is not sure that he wants to play football any more.

His past demons have swamped him and kicking a red ball around has lost its lustre. Of course he has several months to recover and rediscover his love of the sport. It's not a stretch to say he is having a serious rethink about where his professional life is heading.

Designing wives

When it comes to charisma and sass, two women are hard to top.

They are the better halves of two of the best blokes in the NRL, Trent Hodkinson and Dene Halatau.

"We are preparing an audition tape for The Block," said Chantelle Hodkinson.

Rochelle Halatau added: "We are both proud of what our husbands have done, but we like to do things for ourselves."

Hodkinson is studying interior design and the Halataus are working on their second development.

"We've talked about doing something together on The Block for a while and we feel we are ready to give it a crack."

The pair know how they will be marketed if they get through. "We won't be pitching ourselves as WAGs," said Hodkinson.

"But it's an obvious sell and, if that's how we are positioned  ...  that's more than fine."

NFL trailblazer

Mark Harris was Jarryd Hayne long before Hayne was born.

One of the hardest running centres of the 1970s, Harris did what Hayne did, walking out on the Roosters to give NFL a crack. Harris has recalled his time in the upcoming book The House That Jack Built, written by David Rowlands, documenting the 1974-75 Roosters.

"When I went, I was a pariah," Harris said. "They wanted to string me up ... I was considered a traitor. Ron Jones [club boss] wouldn't even let the players talk to me. "Maureen and I just got married and they [the players] snuck us out to a dinner. They said that not one of them wouldn't go and do the same thing.

"We're all trying to build a life. If you don't get hurt badly you've only got about 10 years to play football, if that." Harris's stint in gridiron ended up netting some $50,000, 10 times what he was making for a season in Sydney rugby league.

The offer itself, according to Harris, had "come out of the blue". He went down to Melbourne to participate in a kicking competition and "next minute, I've got an offer for five times what I'm earning in league".

Rowlands wrote: "Harris headed to Philadelphia as part of a 110-man pre-season training squad and survived the initial culling process. When that number was halved, Harris was told that with the team already having enough experienced specialist kickers, his game time would be in the second-tier competition.

"Montreal made an offer to play in the Canadian Football League and the Eagles traded him across the border. Harris played every match that season and even held the kick-off record for a period. Yet in spite of being one of the most explosive attacking players in Australian rugby league, Harris was never given the opportunity to run the football."

"I used to say, 'give me a go, coach – I've played for Australia, you know!' and he'd just laugh. "Even the press guys would see me in practice and they'd be saying 'give Mark a run with the football'." Montreal wanted him back for a second season and while it wasn't an easy decision to make, Mark and Maureen surrendered to homesickness and the belief that Australia was a better place to raise a family.

Koroisau grief

This column wants to extend its deepest sympathy to Api Koroisau. The Eagles' key hooking recruit arrived home after Mad Monday to find that his partner had passed away. It's a an awful situation and his new team Manly and the Panthers are doing everything they can to help him through the most difficult of times.

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■ Danny Weidler is a Nine reporter.