CONTRACT SECRET FOR EELS STAR JENNINGS
Parramatta centre Michael Jennings is secretly off-contract.
Market Watch can reveal the 29-year-old is technically a free agent for 2019 although he does have a two-year option in his favour.
When the Eels announced the signing of Jennings from the Roosters in 2016, it was touted as a four-year-deal but the option was kept a secret.
Jennings has until mid-season to trigger the option but it’s understood his manager has been exploring the market regardless.
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Michael Jennings of the Eels celebrates a try.Source: Getty Images“It’s not until June I need to make a decision,” Jennings told Market Watch.
“It’s my option if I want to stay another two years or look anywhere else. At the moment I’m pretty happy here. We’ve got a solid side and the past two years has been really tough.
“That’s brought me closer. I live out west and I don’t see myself anywhere else at the moment.”
One club told Market Watch they believe Jennings’ option to be worth upwards of $700,000.
Aside from the attractive wage, the other thing in the Eels’ favour is their playing group.
A product of Western Sydney, the Blacktown product is in a team filled with some of his closest friends with bonds dating back to their early teenage years.
“I’m close with Tommy, Haynesy and T-Rex,” he said.
Michael Jennings of the Eels is tackled.Source: Getty Images“We played all our junior footy against each other and they’ve played all their junior footy with each other. For them to go with park footy all the way to first grade, that’s where they forged that bond.
“Myself as well, playing against them, we’ve had that bond too. Playing in reps and development teams against each other, the bond started there and feeds off to everyone else. It’s a good crew.”
Replies
I hope that MJ takes up his option to stay, but believe it may depend on his brother getting an extension, which I will be interested to see how George goes against his old side on Sunday.
Big money in HIS favour? He’s not going anywhere
This club is due for another rebuild.. The bubble has burst with this old brigade.
Its a disaster
I would not get in a money war over him if he wanted more I say good bye
Ed, who cares? I do.
I care about the eels and have done so now since a kid in the 50's, and that includes many seasons of outs but also was able to go to the first game where we won the premiership, something I don't forget. Caring for the team is part of being a supporter, not a fan, supporters stick to the team and club, whereas fans are more akin to the cheap wood and paper ones you buy at a dollar shop, go ok for a while but break down and end up in the bin fairly quickly, rarely do they last.
I was not a great supporter of MJ when he signed but for me he provided some good stability in the backs and could well do with others of similar ilk. The way the team and some of the players are going if they put in half of what he does we could well see a different outcome. His younger brother seemed to have shown some good form as well.
Who cares? says you, maybe have a look in the mirror and say it, and see the answer.
“I’m close with Tommy, Haynesy and T-Rex,” he said.
Possible blonde moment here but who is Tommy?
Tommy Mannah
I was wondering the same .
Id say Jennings is worth every cent of 700K . Hope he stays .
Not going anywhere. Funny that they'd even check the market - no-one's going to match the option money.
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