Michael Jennings on why he decided to stay with Parramatta

Michael Jennings could easily been wearing the red and blue of Newcastle this season were it not for some unfinished business that kept the 30-year-old flyer with Parramatta.

Jennings has been through a lot with Parramatta. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)

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Michael Jennings could easily been wearing the red and blue of Newcastle this season were it not for some unfinished business that kept the 30-year-old flyer with Parramatta.

The Knights were keen to land Jennings during the off-season to add some experience to their backline and a multi-year deal was on the table if the former Test and Origin flyer made the move to the Hunter.

But Jennings, off-contract at the end of this year, opted to stick with Parramatta in an effort to leave a lasting legacy at the club.

Jennings has been through a lot with Parramatta. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)

“There was communication, there was an option where if I wanted to go I could go,” Jennings told The Daily Telegraph.

“I’ve told everyone here that ultimately I made the decision — I wanted to stay here and play on because I had unfinished business here.

“It’s kind of taking a risk but I wanted to do it — backing myself and backing my ability.”

As one of the most decorated centres of the modern era there is little left for Jennings to achieve — he’s won a premiership and an Origin series and is the third most prolific try scorer among active players, behind just Brett Morris and Greg Inglis.

Now, Jennings is just as focused on what he can leave behind as what’s still in front of him, and he wants to add something to Parramatta that will live on forever.

Achieving success with Parramatta would mean so much. (Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

“It could be anything, from training to helping the young kids out (and) making this team successful.

“I’ve been in some successful teams and I want to make this team successful.

“We’re all going in the right direction, not just with the players on the field.

“Everything that’s going on off the field with the club, with the stadium, what we’re doing off footy is going in the right direction.

“I can see this team getting back to its successful days.”

Jennings will battle Takairangi for a centre spot. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)

Part of what Jennings wants to leave behind is imparting the work ethic and discipline required to be a consistent first grader.

It’s a message he wants to hand down to two of Parramatta’s up and comers, promising outside backs Greg Leleisuao and Maika Sivo.

“I want to show them how to train, what it takes to be a first grader,” Jennings said.

“They’ve got a lot of talent, and I think with both of them they just need to get first grade conditioned.

“They’re still babies, they’re still learning, being a first grade trainer and a pro athlete they’ve got to do that consistently, day in and day out.”

Competition for spots in Parramatta’s outside backs is fierce with Jennings locking horns with Jaeman Salmon and Brad Takairangi in the race for a centre berth.

With Salmon to miss the opening month of the competition through suspension, Jennings may well have the inside track but ahead of his 13th NRL season the Tongan international has found a new approach to football and life following the birth of his son, Carter, late last year.

“There is challenge there, and it’s always good to have challenge. It makes you compete more.

“But my main motivation is my little boy, I want to do my best for him.

“That’s probably my main motivation at the moment. It’s a life changer.

“I’m a firm believer that if you’re happy off the field and motivated off the field it’s going to help you on the field.

“Everything I’m doing off the field has been unreal. Now I come to training and it’s a whole new life for me.”

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Originally published as Michael Jennings on why he decided to stay with Parramatta