The message from a fired-up Wayne Bennett to the media was simple on Thursday - leave Jarryd Hayne alone.
Hayne received an unlikely ally after Bennett launched a passionate defence of the under-fire NRL star, pointing the finger directly at journalists.
Bennett said Hayne should only be judged by on-field deeds, describing reports questioning the code-hopper's attitude and commitment at the Titans as "terribly unfair".
It has been revealed Hayne had been dropped from the leadership group after showing up to pre-season training overweight and being fined by coach Neil Henry for missing a session.
Reports claimed Hayne argued with senior teammates over fines he received for disciplinary breaches.
The Titans have played down the incidents.
But Michael Ennis has gone as far as declaring Gold Coast are better off without his former NSW teammate.
And it seems Bennett has had enough.
"One of the issues is the intrusiveness of the media right now," he said.
"Every club has issues with players who don't train great - most of them are your best players.
"But it has got to the stage with the media, I just can't believe what you write about anymore and what you go digging for.
"At the end of the day, what Jarryd Hayne does on the football field is the most-important thing.
"What he does off it, with regards to his training, that's for the club to handle and should be left at that."
Asked why it was the media's fault, Bennett said: "Because in the past, they never went down that path.
"And some of the game's greats weren't great trainers but never made headlines - because of the way they played football.
"Jarryd Hayne is one hell of a football player - that's what he should be judged on.
"You've just gone to another level, you guys. I think it is terribly unfair on the players."
Bennett denied Hayne should be scrutinised more because he was a modern professional, not a player from yesteryear.
"The levels of professionalism haven't changed," Bennett said.
"In the 1980s, 90s, 2000s - I have coached them all.
"Some past great players weren't great trainers; some present day great players aren't great trainers.
"The unique ones are always more difficult to train.
"Whether he trains good or bad, that is up for him and his coach to work out, not make a national headline out of it."
Hayne has an option in his favour to remain with the Titans for the 2018 season.
The two-time Dally M Medallist will reportedly explore all options including a switch to rugby union at season's end.
"The perception with Jarryd at the moment is that he thinks he's bigger than not only the game but also his club as well," Ennis told Triple M radio.
"I think they've gone backwards (since signing Hayne).
"The Titans need to make a decision."
