Former NSW centre Michael Jennings is expected to sign a new two-year deal with Parramatta as early as Monday.
It is understood Jennings will agree to a one-year contract with an option for 2021.
While the contract hasn’t been formally ratified, sources close to Parramatta suggest the Eels may complete formalities on Monday morning.
Jennings, 31, arrived at Parramatta in 2016 after stints with the Sydney Roosters — where he helped win the 2013 premiership — and Penrith.
His current contract at Parramatta, worth around $800,000 a season, expired this year.
He is expected to take a pay cut to remain. The deal could have been settled earlier but the player represented Tonga after the NRL season and then went on holiday. He is due back this week.
Having played 278 NRL games, Jennings will need one more year, maybe two, to crash through the elite 300-game barrier.
There had been interest in Jennings from the English Super League but he wanted to remain in Sydney to be close to family and friends. There were also suggestions Gold Coast had an interest in Jennings.
Jennings had a modest 2018 season and was on the verge of being told to look elsewhere by club officials.
But a stellar 2019 reinvigorated Jennings, with the ex-Kangaroos centre ready to remain at Bankwest Stadium for another two seasons.
While Jennings will be a key figure in Parramatta’s premiership charge next season. He will also act as a mentor to rising Eels centre Ethan Parry, aged just 20.
Parry has played just two NRL games. Parramatta also has centre Waqa Blake locked down long term after his mid-season arrival from Penrith.
Earlier this year Jennings indicated a strong desire to remain at Parramatta.
“I want to keep playing, for sure. I definitely want to stay here at Parramatta and keep going. I want to play more footy,” he said.
“I’m just grateful I’m still playing league — league has given me a lot. I’m grateful to be here and playing footy.
“My body is still in good nick. I’m still quick and, touch wood, haven’t had many serious injuries. I’m still fit — I’ve got a couple more years in me.”
Another Parramatta player off contract is centre and fullback Josh Hoffman, although it appears unlikely he will be retained.
Parramatta face a challenge after next season with a host of star players ending current deals, including Dylan Brown, Nathan Brown, Shaun Lane, Reed Mahoney and Brad Takairangi. Parry is also off contract after the 2020 season.
The Eels have also been discussing a long-term contract, spanning four or five years, for five-eighth Dylan Brown.
Replies
Always liked Jennings hopefully he has a big season
A four year contract for Dylan Brown would be good. He and MM are players you can build a club around
'I can't stand that term...' Then you use that term in the next paragraph. Huh?
Jennings 1 year 300k
Brown 5 Years 500k from 2021 Anything less is stupid as you dont want both halves and hooker coming off contract at the same time. If things dont work out for what ever reason you have a fail safe half there. This gives Moses his 3 years and can extend if he becomes the number 1 half in the comp and Vice Versa with Brown.
Still unsure why we havent gone to market for a good backup hooker.
I read somewhere today that we were close to signing Isaac Luke , not sure if thst would be good or not.