Dramas have taken a toll - Jennings - Eels Blogs

Eels centre Michael Jennings admits club’s woes are affecting playersDEAN RITCHIEThe Daily TelegraphMICHAEL Jennings admits the multiple crises engulfing Parramatta are starting to affect players who are mentally drained after months of revelations about the troubled club.The flying centre has temporarily escaped the Eels’ troubles by shifting into the NSW State of Origin camp in Coffs Harbour.Aside from the salary cap fiasco, Parramatta have endured Kieran Foran’s prescription drug overdose and allegations involving Corey Norman’s behaviour at The Star casino last week.“It can be draining,” Jennings admitted. “We can’t focus on what is happening on the outside ... we can’t control that. We just have to worry about what we can control and what we need to focus on.“It has taken its toll on a couple of the players. It has affected a couple of players. It can be draining seeing all the stuff off field. You can get caught up in all the stuff going on on the outside, the stuff that you hear, it can take a toll. You can get caught up in it.“I personally don’t focus on the outside stuff. That’s what most players have to do. We will have to sit down and have a chat to a few of the boys.“The young fellas who haven’t been through something like this. it can affect their focus. That’s where the leadership group need to get the players together and have a chat and really put all the focus on what we can control.”Foran has returned to rehab after playing in Monday night’s loss to Melbourne at Pirtek Stadium.He is in doubt for Monday’s game against Newcastle with a shoulder injury.“Kieran’s a good mate of mine,” Jennings said. “We need to think about his wellbeing before anything else. As long as he is happy and in the right head space, that’s all that matters.“I have spoken to him and he is doing all right. He is slowly getting better. As long as he is moving forward and not going backwards. He’s a good fella, a champion.”Jennings said he knew little about allegations involving Norman being found in possession of unidentified capsules at the casino.“I just heard it on game day (last Monday),’’ Jennings said. “I really don’t know what’s going on or what happened. I don’t think it’s something too big.“‘Normie’ knows that. He was fine letting the boys know. As a playing group we have to just focus on the playing side and try and stay out of the other stuff.”Jennings lauded coach Brad Arthur’s resilience.“’BA’ knows what he’s doing. He’s been really solid. As a playing group, we need to do our part on the playing field because ‘BA’ and the coaching staff are really doing their best. They are doing everything they can to make sure we are playing our best footy,” he said. “At the end of the day, we need to step up and do our part.”

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Replies

sixtiesboy May 25, 2016 at 7:35am

He's being honest about the scenario, but of course the media attention is turning to the players.
- Kramerica > sixtiesboy May 25, 2016 at 2:00pm
  
  Good candid responses from Jennings too - I like what he had to say.
  
  There's no doubt the dramas, particularly the salary cap dramas, are having a huge effect on the team.
  
  BA's doing a fine job though. When everything's said and done the whole team will emerge stronger and learn a hell of a lot from the experience.
Stevo May 25, 2016 at 7:36am

So did KF allegedly overdose or is that something they are still running with?
SHIRE.EEL May 25, 2016 at 9:11am

I wish it was affecting Michael just so he starts doing out of character stuff like passing the ball.
Tin Tim May 25, 2016 at 12:57pm

No player should be talking to the Daily crap news paper.
Tragiceel May 25, 2016 at 2:18pm

I think the team needs a break. If we can beat the Knights, and we should, BA should take the team away somewhere for a few days of R&R. They need some time together away from the spot light just to relax, regroup and focus on the rest of the season.
robert maxwell May 25, 2016 at 2:55pm

foxsports tried to make a brad thing out of Jennings statement, they only told there story and cut the rest.

they where says Jennings was glad to go into the blues campy, and leave the eels problems..
Lighti3 May 25, 2016 at 3:51pm

For once I'd like a player to speak their mind. So much speaking to the media training behind responses almost renders the whole exercise useless.
Would love to hear Jennings say " fuck u kents especially the one called Paul you twist the context of what I say to suit agendas ". Then the NRL won't have that and we end up with superficial routine of pointless print in media.
What's that whole article said that loyal fans don't know?
I'd more want to know how he feels he has played his year with a new coach and what he brings to NSW.