RABBITOHS flyer Alex Johnston shapes as a potential replacement for Eels megastar Jarryd Hayne — with Andrew Johns describing him as “a future world class fullback”.

Still only 19, Johnston is part of a bumper 2015 open market that, with Hayne’s $1 million contract to spend, sees Parramatta looming as the biggest player.

While determined to avoid paying overs like previous administrations, Eels CEO Scott Seward insists his club “can now seriously negotiate with every available player”.

While Seward would not comment on potential targets, it’s understood one player being discussed is the teen with league’s eighth Immortal in his corner.

“Alex is a future world class fullback,’’ Johns told us.

“It’s not going to happen at Souths, with Greg Inglis there. But who knows?”

media_camera Kieran Foran is one of the players Parramatta are interested in signing.

Other players who could take Hayne’s cash include Manly playmaker Kieran Foran, North Queensland enforcer Jason Taumalolo and Rabbitohs halfback Adam Reynolds.

Given both Foran and Taumalolo are being offered over $1 million to stay put, it means the Eels could potentially draw up their biggest-ever contract to replace Hayne.

“We have to turn Jarryd’s loss into an opportunity,’’ Seward says.

“That might be signing one key player, it might be signing two or three.”

Talks are also continuing between Parramatta and the NRL regarding salary cap concessions should Hayne suddenly come home.

The Eels are optimistic that, should Hayne return after a replacement has been bought, a way will still be found to keep him.

***

AGED 19 and with only three NRL games, Tui Lolohea is virtually unknown.

“Yet come the Auckland Nines,’’ says Andrew Johns.

“This kid could blow everybody else away”.

Despite being more anonymous than a police line-up, Warriors livewire Lolohea heads Johns’ exclusive list of the nine players he would most like to see in Auckland from January 31.

“I just love the way Tui bounces around,’’ Johns says.

“He’s lightening quick, strong in the hips and can play fullback or five-eighth. Incredible to watch.”

Next comes fellow Warrior Shaun Johnson.

“Last year my eyes were on Shaun all tournament,’’ Johns says.

“Myself and Gorden Tallis, we were sitting together and every time Shaun touched the ball we were out of our seats cheering like the rest of the crowd.

“When he gets the ball, you expect something to happen. Then it does.”

The rest of Joey’s line-up is: Alex Johnston, Matt Moylan, Dane Gagai, Jason Taumalolo, Jack Wighton, Anthony Milford and the Luke Brooks/Mitchell Moses combination.

***

EUGENIE’S OUT OF THE BOTTLE

media_camera Eugenie Bouchard Playing in Perth's Hopman Cup 2015.

YES, yes, we know what you’re thinking.

But how else does one cover the most popular international athlete of Australia’s summer?

And make no mistake, Canadian tennis ace Eugenie Bouchard will be that.

Currently ranked No. 7 in the world, and boasting a recent win over Serena Williams, this 20-year-old ‘Selfie Queen’ has developed a huge following Down Under thanks to her Twitter and Instagram posts.

Ohhh that's short 🙈 “@hopmancup: "There are great players here. We're guaranteed three matches, it's a great format" pic.twitter.com/1BoLNCcEct” — Eugenie Bouchard (@geniebouchard) January 2, 2015

Sure, some critics consider her a little too ... well, Anna Kournikova.

But, still, the bloke who plays Sheldon Cooper in The Big Bang Theory is a fan. Truly.

So excited to be back in Australia!

'Don't normally do mirror pics but I had to'

***

SUNDAY SESSION

SAINT

DAVE Warner. Scores runs, sledges rivals and speaks without cliches to the media. Now if

he could just get a little more oomph into

that moustache.

SINNER

UFC light-heavyweight champ Jon Jones, who is now in rehab after testing positive to cocaine. Incredibly, the news came only days after his eighth title defence.

SUPER TODD

IT appears Todd Carney may not be gone from our lives just yet, with the English Super League tipped to be broadcast on Fox Sports this year.

While UK sources insist the deal isn’t done, they remain hopeful of getting several Super League games broadcast live each week.

SHOOSH

WE love a good stink and therefore won’t out the two NRL teammates who got stuck into one another during a pre-season training camp. Hint: They’re from a Sydney club.

STARS COLLIDE

media_camera Johnathan Thurston at training.

JOHNATHAN Thurston and South Sydney champion Greg Inglis have had their first battle of 2015, going neck and neck in voting for the Indigenous All Stars team.

Coach Laurie Daley also took great interest, receiving vote updates while holidaying in New York.

ONLY IN AMERICA

MEMBERS of the American Rugby League team are getting into shape with a familiar face — retired Test winger Shannon Hegarty.

The former Rooster now lives and works as a personal trainer in Jacksonville, Florida.

FELETI SQUARED

NEWCASTLE have signed the young cousin of NRL stalwart Feleti Mateo.

A promising bush footballer, his name won’t be hard to remember ... it’s also Feleti Mateo.

FREDDY OR NOT

BRAD Fittler is eyeing off a spot at the Auckland Nines — in 2016.

“I only withdrew this year because of other commitments,’’ Freddy says.

“But I want another crack next year”.

***

OLD MAN RIVER TO KEEP ON ROLLING

media_camera Wes Berg with daughters Mila May, 3, and Billie, 2, at Tallebudgera Creek.

WES Berg boasts more time in budgie smugglers than any Australian bar Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

And it’s set to continue. While no one knows it yet, 35-year-old Berg will soon unveil plans to contest the 2015-16 Ironman series — his 19th straight in the gruelling sport.

Despite now competing against athletes half his age, the Gold Coaster still finished sixth in the most recent season.

There’s definitely no slowing down — he will also be competing in the lifesaving titles.

***

GOULD’S FIJIAN PRODIGY

PHIL Gouldis no stranger to a punt, which is why the Penrith boss has agreed to sign rugby league’s rawest talent.

Young Fijian flyer Kamineli Baisagale is set to join the Panthers after being unearthed by league greats Brad Fittler and Andrew Johns.

Two other islanders handpicked by the pair, Jone Waqaliva and Eroni Tuwai, have been signed by the Roosters and Bulldogs, respectively. ISC is helping finance their move to Australia.

***

BUCKLE UP

media_camera Anthony Mundine and Danny Green face off.

THE biggest stink of The Footy Show Fight Night could happen outside the ring, with archrivals Anthony Mundine and Danny Green both pencilled in to commentate alongside Ray Hadley on January 31.

The pair still despise one another, with Green still in the shape required for a second bout.

***

TAYLOR THROWS WEIGHT AROUND

WHAT was the first thing Jason Taylor did after signing on as the Wests Tigers coach?

He removed all the free weights from their gym.

Taylor feels there is more than bad luck behind the club’s horror injury run and has overhauled the way they lift, recover and even stretch before training.

***

GIRLS SAVING BUSH FOOTY

media_camera Ladies League Tag.

BUSH footy is quietly being revived by the most unlikely of sources — young women.

Incredibly, Ladies League Tag is becoming something of a craze out west, with a dozen Country Rugby League competitions set to run this year.

With Central Coast the latest addition, the surge means roughly 4000 females are now breathing life into the traditional boys club.

The women’s tag games, typically played first on Sunday afternoons, are proving vital to the survival of several clubs in regional NSW.

***

NRL STRENGTH TEST

AFTER last week’s item about Jared Waerea-Hargreaves’ 160kg powerclean, there are plans for an ‘NRL Strongman’ event, with up to $50,000 for the winner.

Sydney Olympic Park is behind the blueprint being drawn up by CE Sports, the company that brought Usain Bolt to Sydney for the ‘Fastest Footballer’ race in 2010.