Michael Jennings to become a CHOOK

[Guest]

Newtown High

I was in Trickys year but had a few mates in your year played footy with them when I was in yr 11.

I left after year 10 and joined the Navy. They only played Union in ADF back then and I have never played a game of league since leaving school. It's funny coming from Newtown, I had no idea how to play union but ended up doing OK playing in WA and for the NAVY.

I remember beating Trickys soccer team in the final of the lunch time soccer games on the basketball courts.

Broke my arm playing touch on the basket ball courts.

Good times but a different school now.

[Thirteen]

Quality centres are very hard to find. The fact that he has excess speed is also a huge factor.

[Guest]

Quality centres are very hard to find. The fact that he has excess speed is also a huge factor.

And that's why I'm just a tad excited by the prospect!

[Guest]

Quality centres are very hard to find. The fact that he has excess speed is also a huge factor.

Lets hope they do the deal quickly 13 otherwise it could turn pear shaped Gus holding all the cards at the moment which is dangerous lol.

[Guest]

SYDNEY ROOSTERS expect to reach an agreement with Penrith's Michael Jennings within the week, with club insiders saying if negotiations are not finalised by then, the deal will probably not go ahead at all.

The Roosters are keen to secure the NSW Origin centre for this season but do not want to get involved in a lengthy tug-of-war with his management. Fairfax Media understands any deal would need to be reached within the next week.

With trial matches to start next month, the Roosters don't want any distractions and would like Jennings training with the side before they play their first pre-season game.

Penrith general manager Phil Gould has given his assurance that he will release Jennings from the final three years of his contract - but does not want to commit the Panthers to any shortfall in the two contracts. If the Roosters do pull out of negotiations, they wouldn't be the first club to show interest in Jennings then turn away from the 24-year-old.

Advertisement

St George Illawarra and Wests Tigers were both keen to sign him in the off-season but negotiations eventually broke down.

More than half a dozen clubs have been interested in the centre but the $600,000 salary he picks up at Penrith has turned off rival clubs.

Fairfax Media reported on Monday that the Roosters wouldn't match the $1.8 million contract for three seasons, but were considering offering a four-year deal worth up to $2million. South Sydney have also been interested and have been talking to his management team since before Christmas. Jennings has endured his fair share of drama at his junior club, including being handed a fine after breaking the club's no-alcohol policy for injured players on Anzac Day last year.

He let his football do the talking in a dynamic State of Origin campaign under Ricky Stuart last year, but critics say his best performances have been too few and far between at the Panthers.

Roosters chief executive Brian Canavan said it was up to Penrith to agree to a release before his club could make a move. ''The issue from our understanding lies with the player and his management and the Penrith Panthers,'' he said.

While last month's decision to release B.J.Leilua - who has joined Newcastle - has freed up salary cap space, Canavan admitted the Roosters would not be in a position to accommodate Jennings without an increase to the salary cap. That hike is yet to be signed off on by the NRL, though clubs are working to a figure of $5.8 million for this year.

While Jennings remains in limbo, the Roosters locked up the future of back-rower Boyd Cordner through to the end of the 2016 season. Cordner established himself as an NRL regular last year.

''Boyd has been part of our commitment to develop our young players over the past few years,'' Roosters recruitment manager Peter O'Sullivan said. ''To ensure that we have him here for a number of years is a major coup for our club and a major vote of confidence in where we are heading.''

Meanwhile, Newcastle have turned to a familiar face in a bid to add some depth to their outside backs, signing former Knight Anthony Quinn.

Quinn, 29, who played 103 games with the Knights from 2002 until 2006 before linking with Melbourne, has agreed to a one-year deal.


Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/l...#ixzz2HKIEWoct

[Jollyjock]

Yep he was always going to be good..

I played with & against him through 50uFF$ juniors & he was head & shoulders above most other kids..The Zetland side he played in had Tricky Trindall,Jim Dymock,Jim Sedaris,Craig Field & Nick Zizti in it,so to stand out amongst them meant you had to be good..

But he always hated us..His old man was a lol@50uFF$ tragic,& Tethzza was bought up being told to hate us..

The draft got him here,but he fought it as he wanted to play under Warren Ryan at Wests..

I never knew Craig Field played for anyone other than Paddinton Colts and he then went on to play for Souths as part of thier full time squad He was always doing kicking practice when I picked my son up from training that is how I know.

[Guest]

I like the hard line position we're taking in these negotiations. Getting him would be tremendous, but there's no point getting into a bidding war that will only benefit Jennings and the Panthers and reduce the time he has to train with the squad.

It appears our club is re-growing it's spine.

Chook.

[Thirteen]

When was the last time we signed 3 significant players in one off season?
Brian Smith must be pissed off cause even he could have done well with these blokes in his side.

I also reckon that Oldfield will be a very successful signing for us. Speed to burn, utility value, keen for a first grade opportunity and he's not a dwarf like previous wingers who have played for us. I am expecting big things from Oldfield this year. More than anything he should be a safe option for us on the wing unlike the fumbling slow coach Ferrett.

[Thirteen]

I like the hard line position we're taking in these negotiations. Getting him would be tremendous, but there's no point getting into a bidding war that will only benefit Jennings and the Panthers and reduce the time he has to train with the squad.

It appears our club is re-growing it's spine.

Chook.

Jennings would be lucky to play for us. It should be an honour for him.
The fact that we now have SBW will help attract quality players.
Why go play for Souths.....there's no quality there. They still don't have a five-eight.

[Guest]

When was the last time we signed 3 significant players in one off season?
Brian Smith must be pissed off cause even he could have done well with these blokes in his side.

I also reckon that Oldfield will be a very successful signing for us. Speed to burn, utility value, keen for a first grade opportunity and he's not a dwarf like previous wingers who have played for us. I am expecting big things from Oldfield this year. More than anything he should be a safe option for us on the wing unlike the fumbling slow coach Ferrett.

Hi Thirteen,

The last time our club made such significant and high profile signings we would have to possibly cast our mind back to our raid of Penrith for Phil Gould, Brad Fittler and Matt Sing. Those signings turned our proud club around for a decade.

These signings are significant but our loses are just as significant and for the better.

[John Corey]

I like the hard line position we're taking in these negotiations. Getting him would be tremendous, but there's no point getting into a bidding war that will only benefit Jennings and the Panthers and reduce the time he has to train with the squad.

It appears our club is re-growing it's spine.

Chook.

Jennings would be lucky to play for us. It should be an honour for him.
The fact that we now have SBW will help attract quality players.
Why go play for Souths.....there's no quality there. They still don't have a five-eight.

Can't agree 13. South's have plenty of quality and have built well. Their forward pack is awesome. That young and tall backrower was dynamite last year. In saying that, I still hate them.

[davos]

All I want to say is Fark souffs and their inbred fans.

[Muffdaddy]

All I want to say is Fark souffs and their inbred fans.

I agree, wholeheartedly. Vermin mudder fuggers.

[Guest]

Jennings will be a Roosters this year, I'll put my house on it.

[fletch]

looks like the vermin are out of the race for Jennings, they have just brought Beau Champion back from the gold coast

only the Eels now stand in our way for Jennings