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Call me boring, but my dad long ago taught me that “nothing good happens after midnight”. Perhaps some NRL players should start living by that statement.
Following Wednesday night’s tremendous State of Origin win, Michael Jennings would have been on top of the world. He had all of New South Wales celebrating with him as he was awarded man of the match following the Blues’ win over Queensland.
How is it that we now find ourselves, just days later, with Jennings dropped from the Roosters team to take on the Dragons?
Jennings was arrested on Saturday morning, taken to Parramatta police station and issued with a field court attendance notice for offensive behaviour and hindering police.
I am astounded. Following the State of Origin team celebrations which would have happened on Wednesday night, Jennings should have been preparing for the Roosters’ game against the Dragons. Yet he finds himself arrested in the wee hours of Saturday morning?
Is this a massive incident? Has Jennings committed an atrocious crime? Has he shamed himself publicly to the point of embarrassment? The answer is no.
However, the longer we continue to say ‘this incident wasn’t too bad’ or ‘boys will be boys’, the longer that the NRL will continue to have a branding problem. Our game is a business and this is not the look that we want.
Jennings should be dropped for Game 3. I don’t pretend that this is an easy decision for Laurie Daley, but for a coach who has worked so hard to change the culture within the Blues team, selecting Jennings for Game 3 would undermine any progress made.
Jennings not only starred in Game 2, he was a big part of the Blues winning the 2014 series. However, ability does not give you the right to behave in any manner that you choose. Jennings made a choice and now he must face the consequences.
Just like Mitchell Pearce faced the consequences last year. Just like James Tamou and Josh Dugan learnt how serious Daley was in seeking to undo the negative culture which had been festering in the Blues camp for years when they weren’t invited to a pre-season team bonding session.
To choose Jennings would reek of inconsistency and do more damage mentally to the team than anything his on-field performance could counter.
I’m disappointed that once again an off-field incident will taint the lead up to what should be one sensational game in Suncorp. With the Queensland team ageing and about to face a changing of the guard, this young Blues side is really building towards a bright dynasty.
Again, it comes down to us asking for decent behaviour from our NRL players. Is that too much to ask?
Thanks for Game 2 Michael Jennings, we won’t be needing you for Game 3.