Will Penisini - A poor mans Michael Jennings - Eels Blogs

This is going to be a very unpopular opinion.

Firstly, i think Will is a good player, fairly solid in most things he does and he does a fairly good job for us, especially for his age and limited experience in league.

But im hearing a lot of overrated talk on Will, that he's a young Mick Jennings and all sorts of high lofty praise.

Whilst the kids a decent player, he's not a hair on the testicle of a young explosive, game breaking Mick Jennings, and im here to tell everybody he never will be.

He doesnt have the skill, power, speed, ability to bust through holes on a regular basis, he doesnt have the x-factor a young jennings did, they are just not comparible in any way apart from their size.

I think Wills a good centre but he has a limited ceiling, unlike MJ who's ceiling was almost limitless at that age, he really was a gun and rep quality from a very young age, Mick could bust a game wide open.

I'd not be getting in any big bidding wars for Penisini, i dont think he's worth big money.

Penisini is not a hair on Mick Jennings testicles, and never will be, so lets not get too carried away with the Jennings comparisons.

"Yeah they certainly need to be held to account. If they are not lifting in a team environment, knowing that other people rely on them to perform to their very best, what is actually motivating them to play the game? If it's just money, then they…"

"Bup I think that's been one of the biggest fan gripes wiht BA in his time as coach. Players that are not doing their job week in week out are not being held to account."

Replies

SEQld Eel (formely NZ Eel) July 5, 2022 at 4:28pm

I think he is a gun centre. Perhaps not top centres in the comp but a very good one. Cant judge him on Saturday as he never got the ball. When tactics are go through the forwards all he can do is dummy half runs. Pretty hard to showcase your skills, pace and step when the ball dont go through the hands.
- Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown > SEQld Eel (formely NZ Eel) July 5, 2022 at 4:33pm
  
  Mate i think he's a good centre, but not a gun, yet, highly doubt he will ever get to gun level.
  
  So he should be on a decent centres wage, next contract, not a gun salary.
  - Hector > Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown July 6, 2022 at 9:06am
    
    Totally agree average in my humble opinion
The Captain July 5, 2022 at 4:31pm

Way too early to tell either way. He's definitely got talent and is worth perservering with for the right price.
- Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown > The Captain July 5, 2022 at 4:35pm
  
  He definitely has talent, but for the right price as you say.
HKF July 5, 2022 at 4:33pm

I'm not sure what penisini's strength is yet, Jennings was not a hole runner, his strength was early ball and skipping to the outside.

I don't think penisini has the speed Jennings did so skipping to the outside of his opposite is probably not his thing. I think he is probably more of a hole runner so would benefit more running off Dylan Brown than moses.
- Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown > HKF July 5, 2022 at 4:37pm
  
  good points hkf about jennings skipping to the outside.
Raptor Jesus July 5, 2022 at 4:33pm

I tend to agree Snake.

Penisini does have the power - he can stand in contact, push through contact, offloads while holding people off him etc. He is very strong. However, he does not have the speed.

Michael Jennings was special because he had athletic ability and fast twitch muscles that most people can only dream of. Penisini is nowhere near the speed of Jenko. Jenko also had good footwork etc.

Penisini will be a quality player, but I agree, he is not at the level of MJ and probably never will be.

It makes me worried to hear we are reportedly throwing 500k at a year at him, which is less money than we offered Reed or Ice. It is a pretty huge problem.
Muttman July 5, 2022 at 4:36pm

Penisini is not as good as Greg Inglis. We should let him leave.
- Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown > Muttman July 5, 2022 at 4:37pm
  
  Yeah, thats not what i was saying at all mutt.