Jennings’ too fast for his own good

 

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By Mr Sports, 1 May 2009 Mr Sports is a Roar Pro

Tagged:

 Matt Elliot, Michael Jennings, NRL, Penrith Panthers, Rugby League

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There was a setback yesterday for the Penrith Panthers’ Origin hopeful Michael Jennings. After an excellent start to the season, he was at the forefront of the discussion for a coveted wing or centre spot for the NSW Blues.

However, events during Panthers training on Thursday will almost certainly end Jennings’ prospects for State honours.

Disaster struck during a sprint session when Jennings evidently exceeded even his exceptional speed limit.

During the session, Jennings reached such tremendous velocity that he unexpectedly burst into flames and was incinerated in a fiery conflagration that also claimed his teammates Trent Waterhouse and Frank Pritchard.

Jennings’ teammate, thirteen year old Wade Graham, described the scene to reporters: “yeah, janko was just showing off a little, running two second 40s and that sort of thing. Then Cootey [Panthers fullback Lachlan Coote] dared him to run over and dack Petero then sprint off.”

The trouble began as Jennings was fleeing the aggravated Civoncieva.

Teammates initially noticed smoke emanating from Jennings’ feet, which was followed very rapidly by flames bursting out of his chest and eyes.

After realising that Jennings was in legitimate danger and was not simply engaged in an elaborate recreation of a scene from the Playstation game God of War, his teammates rushed to assist him.

The blaze claimed Waterhouse and Pritchard when they attempted to douse the flames by throwing themselves on Jennings, in what was a particularly ill-advised tactic to combat the inferno.

Panthers officials and players were quick to assure the media that there were no substantial hints that Jennings was capable of self-combustion.

“Sure we’ve noticed a smokey smell around Janko a few times, but we just figured it was from all the … ah, nothing, forget I said anything about smoking. I mean, smoke,” said Wade Graham.

Discussion quickly turned to the implications for the State of Origin series.

Panthers coach Matt Elliott still felt that Jennings was an excellent chance to make the origin: “Look all this shows is that Janko has some really special pace, and that sort of pace is invaluable in Origin,” he said.

“And anyway, who else is going to play for NSW this year?”

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