NRL news: Roosters stand beside Michael Jennings in awkward 300th celebration

Michael Jennings is set to play his 300th game on Thursday night, but any criticism of it only highlights the hypocrisy in rugby league says Sydney Roosters teammate Angus Crichton.

Round 5 NRL 2024. Bulldogs vs Roosters. Michael Jennings makes his NRL return at 35

Sydney Roosters star Angus Crichton says controversy surrounding the celebration of teammate Michael Jennings’ 300th NRL match only highlights the hypocrisy of rugby league given others with similar backgrounds are held in high regard by the game.

On Thursday night the 35-year-old is set for to achieve the milestone against Newcastle, but any celebration will polarise the game.

The ex-NSW and Australia centre made his season debut for the Roosters in his 299th game on Friday night after a three-year ban for performance enhancing drugs.

In the meantime, he has been fighting a legal battle with his ex-wife Kirra Wilden, who successfully sued the 35-year-old for $500,000 after a NSW District Court heard allegations raped her multiple times and verbally abused her during the course of their relationship.

The NRL registered his contract with the Roosters for this season, which outlined his ambition to pay his ex-wife the court-ordered funds.

However, the situation has reached an awkward point given Jennings is likely to be named to face the Knights due to an increasing injury toll at the Roosters, with NRL CEO Andrew Abdo expected to present him the match ball as a memento.

“It definitely should be celebrated. I don’t know the full details, but from what I’ve seen, he stands by that he actually wasn’t using performance enhancing drugs,” Crichton said on Sunday.

Teammates have thrown their support behind Michael Jennings. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

“And I think that I believe him and I trust him.

“He’s obviously been such a great player in our game for so many games. I think why not celebrate?

“We’ve got other people in rugby league who have had similar charges and they’ve been celebrated and put up on honour boards. Michael Jennings has worked so hard to get back to where he is.

“He should not only be celebrated, but I think he’s deserved it.”

Roosters players did not speak specifically about the civil case, but on the drugs ban they believe he has served his time and earned his place in the team.

“I reckon he deserves it from my point of view,” said Daniel Tupou. The pair have played together since 2013.

“Whatever outside noise there is, they’ve got their opinion but it couldn’t happen to a better bloke.

“I feel like he thoroughly deserves it. Everyone goes through stuff. We’re all human at the end of the day.

“That’s just my opinion, don’t take it out of context, I feel like he deserves it. For what he’s done for the game, all these years, I feel like he deserves it.”

The Roosters are set to be without skipper James Tedesco (head knock) and Sam Walker (head knock), while winger Dom Young will be sidelined with suspension against his former club.

Connor Watson trained in the halves on Sunday and is set to replace Walker, while Joey Manu will move to fullback and Jennings into the centres.

“It’s that next man up mentality and whoever fills in there next game will do an absolute job for us,” Tupou said.

“Teddy’s alright, he’s good, he’s recovering. He didn’t come out to the field today, he’s just resting up. Sammy also, and Suaalii was alright, he trained with us so he’s all good.

“[Manu] is just one of those players that when a lot of chaos happens, he just steps up and does extremely well for us. Again, he might be playing fullback for us and it’s just a matter of combos and linking up at the back. He’ll do an extremely good job for us and will lead from the back.”

JENNINGS 300: INJURY CRISIS WINNER

Michael Jennings will be lauded by the Sydney Roosters and the NRL for reaching his 300-game milestone this week – a celebration that is set to polarise the game.

In a moment that few saw coming, Jennings, 35, will join rugby league’s revered 300-club against the Knights in Newcastle on Thursday night, just one week after playing his first NRL game back from a four-year drug ban.

During his time out of the game, Jennings was also successfully sued for $500,000 by ex-wife, who alleged multiple instances of rape during their relationship.

As is tradition, NRL CEO Andrew Abdo is expected to present Jennings with the match ball as a lasting memory of his 300th first grade appearance.

The former Test and NSW State of Origin star will achieve the feat as a result of injuries and suspensions in the Roosters backline.

Both captain James Tedesco and halfback Sam Walker will miss the match due to concussions suffered last Friday night, while winger Dominic Young is facing a two to three-week suspension for his careless high tackle on Bulldogs fullback Blake Taaffe, for which the Roosters player was sent-off.

“I am doing all good,” Tedesco said.

“I woke up feeling sweet. I appreciate the concern, it was a big hit but I am chilling with the family now and feeling all good.”

Michael Jennings is set to play his 300th NRL game against the Knights. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

The drama-charged Friday night clash has also left the Dogs reeling from the match.

Canterbury coach Cameron Ciraldo is battling to find a healthy squad of players to pick ahead of a daunting road trip to Melbourne next Friday night.

Bulldogs captain Stephen Crichton could headline the changes with the champion centre the frontrunner to cover the loss of speedy fullback Taaffe (concussion).

Also set to be sidelined for next Thursday night’s clash against the Storm is Canterbury winger Connor Tracey (calf) and utility Kurt Mann (hand fracture).

Tracey was awaiting the results of scans on his calf on Saturday, while Mann is facing between three to four weeks out.

Also in doubt are forwards Chris Patolo (neck pain) and Harrison Edwards (neck pain).

NSW Cup forward Bailey Hayward was withdrawn from the Bulldogs clash with the Roosters on Saturday afternoon as a potential option in the Dogs pack against the Storm.

In more promising news, Dogs officials are confident outstanding backrower Viliame Kikau will be cleared of any serious damage related to a leg complaint.

Max King will also push to play against the Storm despite suffering a wrist injury.

Ciraldo will also have wingers Josh Addo-Carr (concussion) and Blake Wilson (virus) available for selection.

However, it’s the NRL that finds itself in a position that will anger many fans.

On one hand, Jennings is rightfully being celebrated for his achievements for a career which began as a 20-year-old at the Panthers in 2007.

But the NRL is also at risk of parading a player that has just returned from a drugs ban, after he tested positive to two prohibited substances while playing for Parramatta, in October 2020.

Michael Jennings makes his NRL return at age 35. Picture: NRL Photos

Jennings made his return to the NRL against the Bulldogs last Friday night after he was activated as the 18th man following concussions to Tedesco and Walker.

Bronson Xerri made his NRL return from a four-year drugs ban in the same game, after making his debut against Jennings almost five years to the day before they faced off.

“It’s crazy how it all works out,” Xerri said.

“We all make mistakes in life, and it’s crazy how resilient we are and how we can come back from it. Massive respect to Jennings. To keep that motivation, massive respect.“

Adding another layer of complexity to Jennings’ comeback, which the NRL approved after several months of deliberation, is that he was ordered to pay his ex-wife Kirra Wilden nearly $500,000 in damages following a civil dispute in the NSW District Court in December 2021.

The Roosters provided a volume of detailed paperwork to the NRL prior to his registration to return to the game being approved.

The Roosters were able to show that by returning to rugby league, the game would act as a valuable lifeline for a footballer who suffered significant financial losses as a result of his ban and more importantly, a support network to aid his mental health.

Jennings’ unlikely NRL return was originally sparked by a conversation with Roosters coach Trent Robinson during the 10-year reunion of the Roosters 2013 premiership success last year.

Without a number of their key stars, Michael Jennings could be poised to play an important role for the Roosters going forward. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

While Jennings’ return will prove divisive, the experienced centre will play a key role in helping the Roosters avoid a two win and four loss start to the season.

The Roosters will be without Tedesco, Young, Walker, Spencer Leniu (suspension) and Sandon Smith (elbow) for their short-turn around against the Knights.

Like Tedesco, Walker was presenting fine in the dressing room after the match.

The injuries and suspensions will force a major reshuffle to the Rooters backline.

Connor Watson, just three games back into his own comeback from a long-term injury, is expected to start his first game at five-eighth since June 12, 2021. He will partner Luke Keary in the halves.

Watson and Joey Manu are the back-up halves given Smith’s absence. However, Manu is likely to wear the no. 1 with Tedesco unavailable.

Junior Pauga will come onto the wing for his first match of the season and Jennings will start at centre.

Billy Smith remains unavailable with an ankle injury.

The Knights will continue to be without veteran back-rower Tyson Frizell who missed the win against St George Illawarra with a hamstring injury.

Frizell is expected to miss multiple weeks.