JUNE 28 2017 - 6:00PM Adam Pengilly
Michael Jennings will still run onto the training field and head straight to the left. Been like that for the best part of a decade.
But the past fortnight? His teammates have gently ribbed him every time he seeks the sanctuary of his usual station – and tell him to get back over to the right.
Brad Arthur's switch is part to complement Jennings' ball-carrying tendency, but more to be Mitchell Moses' blue-and-gold bodyguard in defence. Because there's nothing like spotting a spindly half in the line and sending man mountains at him all day long.
"Brad wanted me – because he was putting Bevan [French] there [on the right wing] – wanting to help Mitch by talking more defensively to help his game out," Jennings said.
The bodyguard: Michael Jennings is mastering his combinations. Photo: Getty Images"I guess it is more for that experience there on the right side with Takkers [Brad Takairangi] moving over to the left ... [it] just makes the whole left and right side better in defence.
"A lot of teams do target the halves so you end up doing a lot of defence. On the right though working with Mitchy he's a really good defender.
"We need to work better around him because he gets off the line so quick. It makes it more solid if you've got both the second-rower and myself working well with Mitch.
A target: Mitchell Moses of the Eels. Photo: Getty ImagesRight-edge second-rower Kenny Edwards added: "As the weeks go on our combinations are getting better. It will get better with each week.
"We've really worked on our defence and Mitchy knows how to tackle. He'll get his body in front and we've just got to be there to help him."
But that won't fool the Bulldogs, who will unload big man after big man at Moses when the traditional rivals clash at ANZ Stadium on Thursday night.
Jennings' left-to-right switch might prove a masterstroke from Arthur, who appears to have finally stumbled upon the formula to fit mid-season pick-up Moses into an electric backline without stifling Clint Gutherson's influence.
And it might also bring out the best in Jennings, who will confront his former NSW teammate Josh Morris with both in the State of Origin wilderness.
"It's going to be a good match-up," Jennings said. "He's a good friend of mine and we've had our battles, especially in Origin playing left and right.
"So it's going to be pretty exciting.
"I carry the ball in the right hand and fend with the left. I'm usually meant to play on the right for that. So [the switch] is good for me. The right side is actually beneficial.
"I had a couple of games at left and just got stuck there."
That was where Jennings made a name for himself in sky blue and with the Jarryd Hayne-Josh Dugan combination unlikely to be split any time soon, Jennings' last serious influence at Origin level could prove to be his match-winner against Queensland in last year's dead rubber.
Not that his body is cursing him for it.
"Mentally it's really refreshing," Jennings said. "When I came into training today both my knees and legs felt so fresh. I thought 'this feels really good'.
"It is still difficult because I want to be out there. But [it's] exciting seeing them win the first game and going into the second game all confident. It was a disappointing end. You still want to be out there and I still support the team."
Replies
There's a lot to like about our backline right now. Best you could do with the players we have and everyone playing in the best position for the team- no egos.
Jenko got stuck on the left and Semi got stuck never getting the ball from him.
I tend to agree with Jenko who said himself that both right and left sides have now improved in defence and as combinations improve so will their attack.
BA has finally managed to get the best available players in our squad playing in their best positions for the team willingly without egos getting in the way.
Good move by BA and Jennings has been playing quality footy for pretty much the whole time hes been here, hes a bit underrated by many fans i reckon.