NRL: Hayne cleared for grand final

Jarryd Hayne (No. 1) collides with Bryson Goodwin during Friday night's NRL qualifier between the Eels and the Bulldogs. Photo / Getty Images

A judiciary escape for star fullback Jarryd Hayne and an improved medical report for captain Nathan Cayless gave Parramatta a boost today, but didn't stop Melbourne being installed clear National Rugby League grand final favourites.

The NRL's match review committee eased the Eels' fears when it handed Hayne a grade one dangerous contact charge, thereby clearing him for Sunday's decider at ANZ Stadium.

Hayne was charged for making contact with his knees on the Bulldogs' Bryson Goodwin during Friday's grand final qualifier, but because he had no similar prior offences he was able to escape suspension with an early guilty plea.

The NRL moved to avert any accusations of special treatment for the Dally M player of the year by outlining seven similar offences this season that were given the same grading.

Storm coach Craig Bellamy refused to comment on Hayne's charge after his side's 40-10 demolition of Brisbane last night, but there's sure to be some annoyance in the camp after their captain Cameron Smith missed last year's decider due to suspension for a grapple tackle.

"That's not my concern. It's out of my control," Bellamy said.

Kiwis contender Goodwin pre-empted the match review committee's decision by saying he didn't want to see Hayne suspended, despite the contact leaving him sprawled on the turf with blurred vision.

"You don't want him to miss out on a grand final that he's played for all year," Goodwin said.

Eels hooker Matt Keating was also cleared to play on Sunday after an early plea to a grade one dangerous contact charge for a 'chicken wing' tackle on Bulldogs prop Ben Hannant.

Still, Melbourne's big win over the Broncos -- inspired by test stars Billy Slater and Greg Inglis who scored five tries between them -- saw them rated $1.60 favourites to the Eels' $2.35 with Australia's TAB Sportsbet today.

It will be the Storm's fourth consecutive grand final, with their last victory in the 2007 decider against Manly, who reversed that result a year ago.

The Eels, meanwhile, last contested a decider in the 2001 defeat to Newcastle and haven't won a premiership since 1986.

Kiwis World Cup-winning captain Cayless looked only a slim chance of playing for an elusive premiership ring when he limped off the field with a hamstring injury on Friday.

But it was upgraded yesterday from a tear to a strain, leaving the 31-year-old prop hopeful he could lead the Eels out on Sunday.

"I had some scans (yesterday) and the doctor and the physio have given me a chance, some hope of playing," Cayless told Radio Live.

"The scans showed that it wasn't as bad as they first thought during the game and that it's more of a strain than a tear. So, fingers crossed. "I've still got to do a lot of work to get back on the field but they've given me that hope."

Cayless said he was braced for physiotherapy three times a day and sleepless nights icing the injury.

He said the Eels' run of 10 wins from their past 11 had been "surreal" but he was determined they hadn't run their race.

"We're not happy just to make it, we want to make sure that do everything we can to win the thing. That's what it's all about - no-one remembers who came runner-up."

The Storm have only minor injury concerns with prop Brett White (shoulder), reserve hooker Ryan Hinchcliffe (knee) and five-eighth Brett Finch (calf) all are expected to be cleared to play.

- NZPA