Panthers v Sea Eagles, George Jennings stretchered off as Penrith’s injury list extends

MICHAEL Jennings would have went to bed with mixed emotions after he watched brother George stretchered from Brookvale Oval with a broken leg.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 18: David Simmons of the Panthers celebrates with his team mates after scoring a try during the round 10 NRL match between the Manly Sea Eagles and the Penrith Panthers at Brookvale Oval on May 18, 2015 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

MICHAEL Jennings would have went to bed with mixed emotions on Monday night after he watched younger brother George stretchered from Brookvale Oval.

While Jennings will be pumped about being picked for NSW later today, George will go for scans, no doubt hoping he won’t be sidelined for an extended period with a suspected broken leg.

George, 22, who looks just like 27-year-old Michael — complete with the same hairstyle and smile — was carting the ball up deep in the 68th minute when he was tackled by Manly’s Matt Ballin from in front, and Luke Burgess from behind. As Burgess came down, he appeared to land on the back of Jennings’ legs.

Penrith’s George Jennings took a serious hit during the victory over Manly.

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There was no malice in the tackle, but George didn’t even try to get up off the turf, and there were immediate calls to the sideline.

Jennings has been one of the young guns given a taste of NRL football this season at Penrith, perhaps a little earlier than planned, because of the club’s mounting injury toll.

Penrith coach Ivan Cleary would have dreaded failing to finish yet another game without 17 players.

Cleary said of Jennings’ injury: “I think he might have a broken leg. It’s reasonable serious, but we just have to cross our fingers it’s not a really bad one.’’

The run of injuries has been nothing short of horrific, especially in key positions.

Cleary pointed out last night was the eighth different halves combination Penrith had fielded in 10 rounds.

First-choice halfback Peter Wallace, whose mother Dianne passed away on the weekend — Penrith players donned black armbands last night in her memory — is expected back after the bye round against Parramatta, along with possibly Josh Mansour (knee) and Dean Whare (hamstring).

The Jennings name is famous at the foot of the mountains, with Michael a club star before being squeezed out and forced to find a home at the Sydney Roosters.

Such is the respect amongst the brothers, Michael caught an early flight back from Townsville in round one this year to sit on the hill at Penrith and watch George make his NRL debut against the Bulldogs.

Their youngest brother, Rob Jennings, also debuted for the Panthers this year.

The Jennings’ injury didn’t seem to break his teammates’ concentration, with the visitors still able to claw back and win.

Originally published as Panthers v Sea Eagles, George Jennings stretchered off as Penrith’s injury list extends