Hayne says no to AFL

Parramatta superstar Jarryd Hayne has dismissed reports that he would consider following Karmichael Hunt's lead in switching to the AFL.

AFL coaching legend Kevin Sheedy's appointment as the new West Sydney club's first coach on Monday immediately sparked debate as to which rugby league stars could also change codes with Eels gun Hayne high on most lists.

But just hours after Parramatta chief executive Paul Osborne had laughed off the suggestions Hayne did likewise at a gala dinner at which he was named the Rugby League International Federation's Player of the Year.

"I'm not too sure where that came from, that's something out of left field," a surprised Hayne said when asked about the possibility of him quitting the NRL just as Hunt did to join the AFL's new Gold Coast club.

"It's obviously not true, I'm about to sign with Parra and I'm sure when I get back I'll be putting a bit of ink on a new deal."

Hayne capped off a sensational year when he received the top honour at a gala dinner in Leeds on Monday night, the gong adding to the Dally M medal he was awarded in September as he helped spark the Eels to the NRL grand final.

The 21-year-old beat Kangaroos team-mates Greg Inglis and last year's winner Billy Slater to become the second recipient of the award, which recognises individual excellence in the period between the start of last year's World Cup and this season's NRL and Super League Grand Finals.

"The year's just been amazing and the people I've come across and played with have been second-to-none," he said after being announced as the winner, days before he'll attempt to help the Kangaroos to the Four Nations title when they confront England in the decider.

"It's been something that's obviously going to be hard to do next year."

Hayne was an outstanding figure in the Fiji team that reached the last four of the World Cup and was the most influential player in the NRL this year.

His form earned him a recall by New South Wales and he collected six successive man-of-the-match awards to help Parramatta reach the decider before also earning another Kangaroos jersey two years after his last one.

The awards were chosen by a secret ballot of a 16-strong panel of journalists, broadcasters and former coaches and international players split equally between the two hemispheres.

The RLIF coach of the year award was won by Melbourne Storm's Craig Bellamy, who beat off competition from his assistant Stephen Kearney, New Zealand's World Cup-winning coach, and Canterbury Bulldogs' Kevin Moore.

"It's a nice reward for our team," said Bellamy, currently in Europe as part of a fact-finding trip.

"Billy, Greg and Cameron deserved to be recognized, particularly with the seasons they had."

"We'll be doing all we can in the pre-season to ensure we continue that next year."

England winger Ryan Hall beat Penrith centre Michael Jennings to claim the rookie of the year of the award.

Hall also made the team of the year was joined by his Leeds captain Kevin Sinfield, who was judged the best loose forward, and former Rhinos team-mate Gareth Ellis, now with Wests Tigers, who is second rower of the year.

Sinfield, man of the match in England's 26-16 win over New Zealand, and Ellis are also short-listed for the prestigious Golden Boot award, along with Australians Greg Inglis, Billy