Eels Blogs

MICHAEL JENNINGS recently reopened debate about his future by criticising the Panthers club management and saying he was not certain about what lay ahead for him and now we may know why. The mail had been strong for some time that Ricky Stuart was going to the Eels - clubs were telling me that off-contract players had discussions with Stuart about joining him at Parramatta. Now you will remember it was Stuart who plucked Jennings from the Windsor Wolves and put him straight into the Origin team, where he regained confidence and form. Stuart hasn't wasted any time in his capacity as Eels coach talking to managers about potential players and Jennings's name came up in discussions with his manager, Isaac Moses. It's my understanding that Moses told Stuart that Jennings was happy at Penrith for now. Whether the Panthers want Jennings there long term given he is on $690,000 next year is another question. ''I enjoyed coaching Michael at Origin and I'm happy he's found his feet again at Penrith because he's a very important player for them going forward,'' said Stuart, who doesn't want to be used up by managers who know Parra are on a rebuilding campaign. He is in the process of meeting significant player managers in coming weeks. I've got no doubt that Stuart's main target will be Greg Bird, who is so close to his NSW coach that Stuart's kids idolise the Titans star. When asked about Bird, Stuart said: ''Greg is contracted until the end of next season.'' The Eels have money to spend. "I'll be in the market for players for next year but I'm not looking for a quick fix," Stuart said. There are also rumblings Stuart will have a lash at Johnathan Thurston, who is off contract at the end of next year. But the Eels will have to have a very successful 2013 to lure Thurston, who wants to win another competition before he retires and would only consider leaving the Cowboys for a team with the potential to go all the way. There's no doubt the Dogs will try to get him back - but if he was ever to leave Townsville, Souths appear the perfect fit. He is a proud indigenous sports star and the Bunnies have embraced that better than any other team.

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/sport/defiant-carney-rejects-drug-rumours-20120728-233yt.html