NRL 2020: Michael Jennings gave out 2000 tickets to Penrith Panthers fans but never paid for them
Phil Gould made Michael Jennings buy $40,000 worth of tickets and walk around Panthers Stadium giving them to Penrith fans — or so it was thought. Jennings lifts the lid on what really went on.
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It was a moment of rugby league infamy, but now Michael Jennings has lifted the lid on the myth on one of the game’s most bizarre punishments.
Jennings has made the stunning revelation that he was never made to pay the $40,000 for the 2000 tickets he was forced to give out to Penrith fans during a humiliating halftime walk of shame around Panthers Stadium in 2011.
Ahead of his return to the ground of his former team for Friday night’s highly anticipated western Sydney derby, Parramatta centre Jennings said Penrith never made him pay what was effectively a fine for turning up to training under the effects of alcohol after a heavy night of boozing.
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Until now, it had always been believed that former Panthers boss Phil Gould — so angry at Jennings over his antics — had made Jennings fork over the $40,000.
“But I never did,” the NRL veteran reveals now, nine years on.
“I know that’s what it has always said in the papers. That I forked out the cash.
“But it never happened – and it’s thanks to the Eels.”
The Eels?
“They were my first, maybe second game back from suspension,” the 32-year-old continues.
“I remember we were trailing at the end, almost no time to go …”
Specifically, the moment Jennings remembers actually came with the fulltime hooter sounding, and Penrith down by six.
With Panthers players then chaotically tossing the Steeden – exactly like men do in such situations — before said pill finally reached the hands of Jennings.
“So I’ve received the ball and, first, stepped back inside,” he recounts.
“Then stepped a few more players.
“Eventually I grubbered through towards the tryline and our fullback Lachlan Coote raced through to score.”
Cue pandemonium.
Then from there, Travis Burns converted.
With Luke Walsh nailing a golden-point field goal to give Penrith the most unlikely of wins.
But the best part?
“Afterwards Gus comes into the sheds and finds me,” Jennings continues. “Up until that point, my fine was still suspended.
“But he says to me ‘mate, I never really wanted to fine you. And after that try, I’m not going to’.
“So that was it.
“Back in those days I was young, stubborn. Didn’t even really think I’d done anything wrong.
“Looking back now – yeah, it was a big mistake.
“And handing out those tickets, humiliating.
“But it was a moment.
“(Laughs) Plus I got to set up a try and save some cash.”
Better, it wouldn’t be the last time Jennings got an earn from Parramatta, either.
With that $40,000 kick just one part of a journey that now see this 32-year-old not only in his fifth season with the Eels, but looking to hand his old club only their second loss of the year in Friday Night Football.
Which, again, is some story.
Especially when you consider how in that same 2011 season, Jennings also revealed just how little love he had for the club where he now boasts 102 games.
Asked about the Eels before a trial game that year, Jennings fired: “I don’t hate the Parramatta players, just the team they represent.
“If you come through Penrith juniors, you’re brought up to hate Parra. That’s how I was brought up.”
To which Jennings says what today?
“Young kid saying stupid things,” he laughs.
Any of your teammates ever bring it up?
“You know,” Jennings shrugs, “I’m not sure they even know I said it.”
Which is fair enough too when you consider, in 2011, Clint Gutherson was 17, Mitchell Moses 16 and Dylan Brown still in primary school.
“Once I was the young guy telling blokes they were old,” Jennings laughs.
“But now it’s me getting teased – with guys like Dylan Brown calling me grandpa.
“It’s crazy.
“But as for that comment, I know fans love that stuff.
“And we should probably bring back players saying exactly how they feel. “Just so long as it’s not me.
“I’ve done my time with all of that.”
