Hayne blasts handling of Eels cull amid play for Blair Parramatta captain Jarryd Hayne has criticised coach Ricky Stuart and chief executive Ken Edwards after what he described as waking up to a "massacre" following a clean-out of the Eels' roster. A day after 12 players were told they were unwanted by the club, Wests Tigers' Adam Blair has emerged as one of Parramatta's key recruitment targets. Stuart told several players they were gone at a team meeting just two days out from their Friday night clash with the Sydney Roosters, before Edwards sent an email to club members explaining what had occurred. Jarryd Hayne: Believes axing of Eels "could have been done better." While he understood the need for change, Hayne was furious with the way the club handled the axing of his teammates and adamant it should have been done differently. I just think the way it was done was disappointing. They get told it won't play out in the media, then it's in there before they walk out the door ... To get told the way they did in front of peers and friends is what was disappointing. Edwards said the club will consider granting the unwanted - including co-captain Reni Maitua, hooker Matt Keating, veteran Ben Smith and the recently re-signed Cheyse Blair - an early release if one is sought. "Ricky indicated and I indicated that we'd work with them to get the best outcome for them and the club," Edwards said. One of our club core values is care and Ricky and I have given them a firm and sincere undertaking that we'll work with them to try and get the best outcome for them and for us. I wouldn't rule out [letting them go mid-season]. The move will free up space to target a number of recruits, with Blair at the top of their priority list. Blair was considered one of the game's best forwards during his time at Melbourne, becoming a regular for his native New Zealand and earning All Stars selection in 2010. He came to the Tigers with much fanfare on a deal reportedly worth $500,000 per season. The 27-year-old has struggled to reproduce that form in the orange and black and the Tigers would be prepared to grant him an early release. It is understood they would even be prepared to pay part of his salary for next season for any club willing to take him on. Hayne hadn't spoken to Stuart before the former Blues coach arrived at training about 4pm on Thursday. The Eels' No.1 admitted he was disappointed to be left out of the meeting and was informed of the clean-out through a club official. "I haven't spoken to him," Hayne said. Hayne admitted it would be difficult to inspire the players who have been shown the door but insists they won't throw in the towel. "I haven't been involved with a team that has gone through this before," he said.