Michael Jennings contribution

A lot has been said about the individual contributions of a lot of players, but I think one guy that really hasn't received any kudos was Michael Jennings.

His stats are outstanding - 162 metres from 17 hitups. That was the most metreage of any outside back in the game and for a centre that is a huge effort.

Essentially, the Eels don't have a lot of ammunition at their disposal for working out from the kick return. Semi obviously is given the ball as much as possible, but then you've got French and Hoffman who are relative lightweights and Takarangi, who probably needs to do as little of the tough stuff as possible, given his propensity for injury. That really means that Jennings, at least in this game, needed to do a lot of the tough stuff, and was getting back for as many second tackle hit ups as possible.

It's not glamorous but Jennings' contribution to the overall team performance was outstanding, as the quality of that second hit-up from a kick return has enormous ramification on the rest of your set when you're coming out of your danger area.

"Last time I went through Abu Dhabi transit lounge , he was sitting there waiting on Roy Spagnolo to send him details for his connecting flight . I didn't have the heart to tell him. Just told him Ricky Stuart and the boys are lookimg forward to his…"

"He has not kicked on...as a centre probably the worst defensive centre in the league. Doesnt have hands or a pass....just cant see him progressing actually he is almost as bad as Sean Russell"

Replies

Adam Magrath March 6, 2017 at 5:40pm

I'm closing this blog down until things calm down.
Fuuuuuui March 6, 2017 at 5:42pm

.... Was awesome when he had Semi free outside him and the tryline 10m away and he didn't pass it. I almost broke my TV!!!
- Ham Sammich > Fuuuuuui March 6, 2017 at 5:46pm
  
  Where was Semi on that play? I thought so too at the game but re-watching it today Semi wasn't on screen and Norman was behind Jennings at the time he looked to his outside.
- Horo Movie > Fuuuuuui March 6, 2017 at 6:15pm
  
  Agree fuiiii. Even if there wasn't a man there he could have put it on the boot and I'm sure french would have cleaned up
- ParraTime > Fuuuuuui March 6, 2017 at 7:54pm
  
  It was Norman, but he was a bit back and I think they would've covered it well.
Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown March 6, 2017 at 5:58pm

Im seriously concerned Jennings is going to break a leg next week now.
Eric The 17.78cm Eel March 6, 2017 at 5:59pm

MJ is still rightly rated among the best defensive centres in the game. He is not quite the explosive attacking player we have seen in days gone by, but that is only natural in the latter part of a player's career. If he can maintain that high work-rate he put in against the Beagles on a consistent basis, he will be major contributor to the success of the Eels this season. MJ often has critics banging on about his lack of a passing game, but his style of play is unlikely to change now. BA brought this guy to Parra for certain specific reasons.
- Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown > Eric The 17.78cm Eel March 6, 2017 at 6:03pm
  
  Agree, hes quality
- Stevo > Eric The 17.78cm Eel March 6, 2017 at 7:27pm
  
  I thought he muscled up in defence really well, his first contact was as good as I've seen from him in years. Yes he can hold the ball with a man open and I reckon it might change throughout the year and he will get a few try assists to his name.
Alistair Shaw March 6, 2017 at 6:00pm

Eels are a way better team with Jennings. When do you ever see him miss tackles? A couple of years ago probably would have scored. Now that he's lost a bit of his blistering pace he needs to utilize his winger more