Eels coach Brad Arthur reveals how Michael Jennings was snapped up by Parramatta

EELS coach Brad Arthur has opened up about the stunning behind-the-scenes game of NRL poker that landed superstar centre Michael Jennings.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 27: Michael Jennings speaks to the media during a Parramatta Eels NRL media opportunity at Old Saleyards Reserve on January 27, 2016 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

MICHAEL Jennings is the X-factor Parramatta has been missing since Jarryd Hayne went chasing his NFL dream.

And with just seven sleeps to go before the Eels host the blockbuster season opener against Brisbane, Brad Arthur has opened up about the stunning behind-the-scenes game of NRL poker that landed the superstar centre.

After an unprecedented off-season of NRL player trading, Parramatta at one point looked to have come up empty — when the likes of James Roberts, Dylan Walker, Peta Hiku and Tim Lafai all signed elsewhere.

What no one knew at that point was that Parramatta already had the joker in their hand, but the stars needed to align at other clubs just to get Jennings into the game.

It started when Roberts got his get-out-of-jail card from the Gold Coast following the contract forgery scandal.

When he went to the Broncos, Dale Copley was available.

As it turned out, Copley is managed by the same agent as Jennings.

Parramatta discovered Jennings was keen on a move west, and he wanted long-term security that the Eels could offer.

Given the Roosters also needed to free-up some salary-cap space and got a good deal for Copley, the deal was done that shocked almost everyone.

New Parramatta Eels signing Michael Jennings talks with Kieran Foran. Picture Gregg Porteous

“I think it was more luck than anything from our point of view. But also some good management,” Arthur said.

“We didn’t rush into any signings. Obviously we spoke to Peta (Hiku) and Penrith had a bit more to offer than we did.

“But we sat strong. We just sat there and kept our powder dry — and we got lucky with Michael.

“It had taken a bit of time over Christmas to sort it out. Obviously with Dale Copley there were a lot of other variables involved with it.

“But at the end of the day it probably worked out best for the Roosters and we had a bit of room (in the cap).

“(Jennings) lives local to Parramatta so there was obviously a bit of convenience there for him and a bit of long-term security for him.

“We took him through and showed him the facilities and he liked it. Obviously from there it was just a matter of working the rest of it out.”

It completed Parramatta’s remarkable recruitment campaign that also included Kieran Foran, Beau Scott, Michael Gordon and young gun Clint Gutherson.

It’s the best squad Arthur has had at his disposal after two previous seasons when he didn’t have a full top squad to pick from.

Right now, almost everyone thinks the Eels are not only top eight contenders but potentially top four.

A lot also depends on what happens to the threat of the four competition points that could be still docked. But that is a situation out of Arthur’s hands.

The Eels were impressive in their trial win over the Panthers last weekend but Arthur isn’t about to get carried away before the season kicks off.

“When I say this people think it is a load of rubbish. But really, that team that played the other night had done two sessions together,” Arthur said.

“We are very low in terms of mileage in our combinations. I’m excited but I have been excited for the last two years. I love coaching.

Michael Jennings has a run during his first training session with the club. Picture Gregg Porteous

“I wouldn’t change anything. But every year you start on equal points, the same as any other team, and you have got plenty of hope.”

Asked about what Jennings brings, Arthur said: “He will add a bit of belief. He is the kind of bloke who if you give him the ball he will try and create something out of nothing.

“It is also nice when the players are looking around in the dressings sheds and we have some representative players sitting alongside lacing their boots up.”

Originally published as Eels coach Brad Arthur reveals how Michael Jennings was snapped up by Parramatta