Michael Jennings wants to re-sign with Eels to 2020
With Parramatta ready to splash $7 million on talent retention, veteran centre Michael Jennings wants to play on, but there’s a sticking point over a one or two-year deal.
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Michael Jennings has declared himself “confident” of playing on with Parramatta in 2020, revealing a new deal could be signed before playing Friday Night Football against Manly.
Uncontracted beyond this season, 31-year-old Jennings has been locked in negotiations with Eels officials for several weeks over his future, with the key sticking point being whether the club extends the former NSW and Australian star for one or two more seasons.
Only last week, The Daily Telegraph revealed Parramatta were on the verge of spending $7 million to re-sign several players which, led by undeniable Next Big Thing Dylan Brown, also includes Jennings, hooker Reed Mahoney, centre Brad Takairangi and Fijian flyer Maika Sivo.
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While the club has already offered Jennings an extension of 12 months, the veteran of 13 NRL seasons is seeking double that after explaining to coach Brad Arthur that he still has "years" of first grade football in him.
Quizzed on the negotiations prior to training on Tuesday, Jennings said. "It's close.
"Hopefully it's done this week. And ideally two years. I've got two years left easily.
"The body is feeling good, the mind too. I want to stay … and yeah, I'm confident. And there is an offer there.
"But I want to make sure it's the right deal. I just need to see what is best not for me, but my family."
Only last month, Jennings met with Arthur and explained that, apart from being convinced he can play through to at least the end of 2021, he also wants to secure a longer term deal so that he can provide for his young family, having become a father for the first time earlier this year.
"I've taken my time with this because I have to worry about my son now," the Eels backline star said. "I've got his future to worry about too.
"So just to have that security, start building on my future, all my decisions are based around that. It's not about what I want anymore, it's about what is good for them."
Jennings stressed he wasn't upset at the club for baulking at a longer extension, conceding it was simply part of life as a professional athlete.
"That's just the way footy is," he said. "Clubs can want you one week, then the next week they don't.
"Things change (quickly). Another club might lose a player and then they're chasing a centre. So it doesn't annoy me.
"And it hasn't affected me. It's probably more affected my partner more than anything. My manager too.
"And I'm letting him sort it all out while I worry about playing footy. I want to let my football do the talking."
Asked about Jennings’ future recently, Eels coach Brad Arthur said: “Jenko wants to stay, the club wants him to stay, they always sort themselves out.
“Michael had a really good pre-season and he has played accordingly. He's just starting to find his feet again, coming back from his knee injury. We’re expecting his experience in the big games (will help us) to get us through.”
Parramatta play the Sea Eagles this Friday night coming off consecutive losses against Canterbury and Brisbane. The club will also be looking for an improved showing, especially headed into the NRL playoffs, against a side which belted them 36-24 in Round 18.
"It was obvious last time against Manly that we got rolled through the middle," Jennings said. "They were making 80 metres every set.
"Our completions were poor too; we didn't finish in their corners, we didn't put them under pressure, move their forwards around or tire them out … and they rolled through us."