6 days ago
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Former Parramatta Eels star Jarryd Hayne made a successful return to the rugby league field over the weekend – and he was joined by a controversial ex-NRL star who has no prospect of resuming his career at the peak of footy.
Hayne, a two-time Dally M medallist, has had a remarkable journey back to footy after spending nearly two years in prison before his sexual assault convictions were quashed in 2024.
The former Parramatta and Gold Coast Titans star returned to the field for just the second time in seven years in a match for the Campbelltown Saints during their Community Day at the Waminda Oval in Sydney's west on Saturday.
In an eye-catching development, he was joined by convicted domestic violence offender and former Melbourne Storm and Canberra Raiders star Curtis Scott.
In 2022, Scott was sentenced to a 12-month community corrections order after being found guilty of three charges against his ex-girlfriend, athlete Tay-Leiha Clark, including assault occasioning actual bodily harm, common assault and stalk or intimidate with the intention of causing fear or physical harm.
Jarryd Hayne (pictured) has completed a remarkable physical turnaround after he he gained a significant amount of weight across the last few years
Curtis Scott (pictured) played alongside Hayne last Saturday in a combination of controversial talents
Hayne and Scott lined up together for the Campbeltown Saints in an event where Hayne starred with ball in hand, scoring two tries and putting on an assist for another.
It was his first match back after returning to rugby league earlier this year for the Wentworthville Magpies in the Ron Massey Cup – and one that showed off his remarkable physical turnaround after he fell out of shape during his legal battle and time in jail.
His Campbeltown teammate Scott has also had a tumultuous few years.
In 2021, he was sacked mid-season by the Canberra Raiders due to an incident at a nightclub which led to him facing assault charges that he was later cleared of.
He was then convicted over the domestic violence offences, which he committed in 2018.
Scott has since attempted to turn his life around by transitioning to a career in boxing, where he holds a 4-0 record as a professional.
The news of Scott and Hayne's on-field coming together comes just weeks after news broke that the former Storm centre is targeting a move to the UFC.
Scott is undefeated in four fights since switching to professional boxing, including his knockout of AFL great Barry Hall (pictured)
Scott played 49 games for the Melbourne Storm before moving to the Canberra Raiders and playing a further 23
Scott has taken up an offer from global MMA organisation Professional Fighters League (PFL), where he claims he'll fight for the next two years.
The 28-year-old hopes UFC powerbrokers see his talent and offer him a spot in the Octagon.
If he is successful, he'd become the first player from the code to secure a contract with the global giant headed by Dana White.
Scott's switch to fighting saw furious sports fans lash out when he beat AFL great Barry Hall by knockout, as they questioned why he'd been given a second chance on the national stage.
