Eels tear up Michael Jennings’ contract

The former Australian international currently works for a building company while he awaits a verdict on his drug cheating charges.

WEEKEND EDITOR
FEBRUARY 28, 2021

Parramatta has torn up Michael Jennings’ $8000 a week salary while he is banned for alleged drug cheating.

Jennings was suspended by the NRL last October for returning a positive sample for banned substances Ligandrol and Ibutamoren and three of their metabolites.

The former Australian international currently works for a building company while he awaits a verdict.

According to Phil Rotherfield from The Daily Telegraph, the Eels will continue to provide welfare support but have suspended the 32-year-old’s contract which expires at the end of the year.

Jennings has played 298 games and scored 154 tries in the NRL since his debut for Penrith in 2007.

He crossed to the Roosters in 2013 and then to the Eels in 2016, where he has made 105 appearances.

"He was actually ok last week in his debut game; and we sat near his friends / family who were proudly wearing t-shirts for his debut. He seems to be quite athletic too and goes ok. Give him some time. With Penisini looking better it can only help.…"

"Kelma, yes. Kautoga I'd leave in Cup to work on his defence. His contact is great but he doesn't win the wrestle in the same way Williams and Guymer do."

Replies

the Eggman February 28, 2021 at 1:20pm

Had such an amazing career, a fantastic player for every club he played for.Thanks for your time.However had he not cheated he may just have made it to 300 games on GF day last year.
SneakyEel February 28, 2021 at 1:22pm

Sad story. He's legacy is up shit creek now
This reply was deleted.
- Acme February 28, 2021 at 1:47pm
  
  I think there is a very good case for a cap exemption until they can figure this out. The club has no options and are being held at the mercy of the whole debacle. So quick to stand him down after the "A" sample, yet months and months to get a "B". It's a joke, this is a professional competition.
  - MontoEel > Acme February 28, 2021 at 2:23pm
    
    Agree, don't understand why it takes so long to determine a sample in this highly technological age.
- BEM February 28, 2021 at 2:32pm
  
  I agree brissy but seeing as it was copied from an article on another site, I thought it best to leave it as is.
- colin hussey February 28, 2021 at 6:18pm
  
  You're correct Brissy, the news is wierd really. Its headline is:- The eels have torn up his contract, then a few lines or less it says that his contract is suspended, so what is it?
  
  I would say that its either the results are not far off being released, which could mean he is guilty, meaning his contract is to be torn up but from what point? The other side of the coin is the club needs to fill that spot in the team and are looking at a particular player to fill it. All guesses welcome as to which is or will be correct.
  - This reply was deleted.
    - Acme February 28, 2021 at 9:39pm
      
      2 Years is absolute lunacy. It's already way too long after 4 months. Especially when the A sample must be almost instant and effectivle enough to end a players career leaving his whole character in question. What a farce
    - Sir Col "THE NODDY MUSHROOM" March 2, 2021 at 4:38pm
      
      Look at how long it took to get Xerri's B sample
      
      I cannot see any logical or legal reason why this takes as long as it does.
Sneaky Pete February 28, 2021 at 3:37pm

Does this mean we now have the money to use to buy someone? Or do we need to await the B sample result?
- BEM > Sneaky Pete February 28, 2021 at 3:39pm
  
  I think we need to wait until the process is complete before we can use the money to buy another player not that there is much available at the moment.