We gladly accept that he's "not of this world", that "this is your home but it is my house", the comparisons to Jesus, the signature outstretched arms like he's the Christ the Redeemer statue overlooking Rio de Janeiro.

Haters are going to hate but we're not all haters, Jarryd. Love the Hayne story. Been there, done that, bought the T-shirt and the San Francisco 49ers No.38 jersey and the Jarryd Hayne Apparel flat cap. Love it.

Next Wednesday marks one year since he made his NFL debut. There is much to admire in a kid from housing commission in Sydney's west who followed his dreams, no matter where they took him or what anybody else advised.

Yet Hayne is in danger of becoming a circus. For all that he's achieved personally, the teams he has played in have won very little. Personal accolades including two Dally M Player of the Year awards aside, what has Hayne won apart from the 2014 State of Origin series with NSW and being involved with winning Australian teams?

Time to convert this not-of-this-world talent into silverware.

Many argue a player doesn't have to lead their team to a premiership to confirm their greatness but tell me one who hasn't? Wally Lewis, I hear. But he dominated Origin like no other.

Nobody should expect Hayne to inspire the Titans to a premiership in the next month, although it won't surprise anyone if a low-flying Hayne Plane swoops the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium in Friday night's elimination final such is his talent.

Having signed him at $1.2 million per season until the end of 2018, you can bet the Titans and whoever ends up buying them will be expecting Hayne to do more at their club than he did at Parramatta, where he was hypnotic to watch one game, barely noticeable the next.

In the meantime, his return to the game has become a punchline.

Broncos forward Sam Thaiday couldn't resist the sledge this week: "There's no guarantee on him playing actually. He might have a dream tomorrow night and leave the game again and, I don't know, take up water polo or something. Who knows."

In reality, it's a gag we've all used.

At the Eels, they aren't laughing about how Hayne snubbed them to join the Titans.

Hayne said he never received a formal offer from his former club. The club he promised to return to if he became a rugby player again.

Return of the Plane: Jarryd Hayne. Photo: Getty Images

Indeed, Parramatta dallied on giving him a figure as they unravelled the third party mess that has torn the club apart.

Parramatta types tell me they told his manager, Wayne Beavis, they could afford $800,000 per season. The response from Beavis: "Sharpen your pencil."

The Eels found out the next morning along with the rest of us that he had signed with the Titans.

Hayne had every right to reject Parramatta. He had every right to take more money on offer at the Titans. But in manipulating the message of how it actually played out, like he was the victim of Eels mismanagement, he has angered some of his former teammates.

Hayne is 28. His time to win something starts now. No more punchlines. He might not be of this world, but let's see if he can win a premiership in this one.

What to do with Fifita?

Given the slightest chance, the NRL will throw the book at Andrew Fifita for his "FKL" arm band tribute to one-punch killer Kieran Loveridge.

Because NRL Integrity Unit boss Nick Weeks is so forensic in everything he does, don't expect a sanction to come down by the end of the season – but the day of reckoning will arrive at some point.

Gaping holes are already appearing in the Fifita story.

Last Friday morning, club officials were uncertain what the "F" on Fifita's wrist strapping meant. They were awaiting clarification "from his barrister". Later in the day, they insisted it meant "For" not "Free".

Centre of controversy: Andrew Fifita with his "FKL" bandage. Photo: Matt King

There is a difference because one symbolises support for the man who killed teenager Thomas Kelly in Kings Cross in 2012 and the other means he wants him released. Both are unacceptable.

When the NRL interviewed Fifita on Monday, he told them the "F" stood for something else.

This column has defended Fifita's right to visit a mate in jail, no matter who it is, but his arm band tribute to Loveridge churns the stomach.

The NRL was far from impressed with his aggressive and dismissive attitude when he was interviewed by senior investigator Karyn Murphy.

And while it might be difficult for head office to use NSW Police and Corrective Services intelligence because of privacy laws to nail Fifita, it will not let this issue dissolve into the background.

Pearce sticks to the water

SPOTTED: Roosters players celebrating the end of a season to forget with a good old-fashioned schooner session at the Royal Oak in Double Bay last Friday night.

One man who wasn't on the amber fluids was halfback Mitchell Pearce, who was sipping bottled water according to our Oak operative (otherwise known as a mate who happened to be there).

"More Roosters than a chook farm," our man said. "Oh, and Blake Ferguson can't dance."

It was a curious choice of venue for it was here, on Australia Day, where Pearce and other players kept drinking after their infamous harbour cruise.

Later that night, Pearce's world was turned upside down when he was filmed having simulated sex with a poodle cross. One of the great stories of the season is how he has turned his life and career around.

On the other side of Anzac Parade, Souths didn't have a Mad Monday. Nobody was playing dress-ups.

They had a weights and cardio session instead, followed by a visit to the Sydney Children's Hospital on Tuesday and on Friday will drop into sponsor Fujitsu.

Best wishes, Nugget

Our thoughts are with the great Norman May, who has been visited by colleagues and friends in recent days amid failing health.

The 88-year-old broadcasting legend – who called every Olympics from 1964 to 2008 – has been bravely holding on and buoyed by the sight of former ABC callers David Morrow and Gordon Bray at his bedside.

"He taught all of us how to broadcast," Morrow told us. "He whet our appetite about the Olympics, and taught us how special it was to call them. Anyone over the age 55 fell in love with sport because of Nugget."

Kaepernick's brave stand

A quick clarification …

Last Friday, this column gave the "THUMBS DOWN" to those criticising San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick for refusing to stand for the national anthem before matches – namely Donald Trump and Kaepernick's biological mother, who attacked him on Twitter.

This was misinterpreted by some readers as criticism of Kaepernick and what he stands for, which horrifies me. He has taken a brave stand against police brutality and should be applauded.

Q and A

We speak to the ESPN analyst Tim Hasselbeck on the eve of the NFL season.

The Denver Broncos no longer have Peyton Manning. Is there any quarterback under more pressure than rookie Paxton Lynch?

He's in a really tough spot because I don't think the team even wanted him to be the guy. Mark Sanchez had the opportunity to win the job but didn't. The good thing for him [Lynch] is that he's on a good team, with great defence, the team runs the ball well.

Who will be there at the end of the season?

Everyone is making a big deal with Tom Brady missing the first four games (because of "Deflategate") but I think the New England Patriots can potentially win all four without him. I do think they are the team to beat in the AFC. A team like Pittsburgh can give them a real good challenge. In the NFC, Seattle will be strong again as will Green Bay.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton: big mouth but with a lot of ability?

What he did last year was truly remarkable. We've never seen someone do what he did last year, in terms of running and passing. A lot of people expect him to do that because that's what he did in college and in the pros. That's who he is. He puts pressure on himself with the way he talks but he's starting to come through that a little bit.

Your thoughts on Colin Kaepernick sitting down during the national anthem in protest?

That action has aggravated a lot of people and rightfully so. If it was an Australian athlete at the Olympics sitting down during the anthem, people would be offended by that. He also has a right to bring attention to an issue that he thinks needs to be addressed. He's softened his approach from sitting down to now taking a knee. We're talking so much about him – but he's not even the starting quarterback.

ESPN starts its coverage of the NFL season with the Super Bowl rematch between the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers on Friday, live from 10.15am.

The Week

THE QUOTE

"Match-fixing doesn't exist in rugby league … as far as I know." – Eddie Hayson said this to Fairfax Media in June. We're about to find out.

THUMBS UP

Canberra centre Joey Leilua's swivel-flick-around-the-corner-miracle-pass-thing he produced against the Wests Tigers was superb. I asked his talented younger brother, Luciano, if Joey did the same thing in the backyard as a kid. Answer: "Nah, no way".

THUMBS DOWN

Don't blame the match review committee for the madness surrounding the Jack Wighton and Michael Ennis shoulder charges. Blame those at the top for the convoluted rules and systems that are strangling the game. *hairflick.

It's a big weekend for … the Swans, who are a better team by no less than five goals at the SCG. They meet the Giants at ANZ Stadium in the first week of the AFL finals.

It's an even bigger weekend for … Michael Cheika, the Wallabies coach who has seen his side drop their last six matches. They meet the Springboks in Brisvegas on Saturday.