Luke Lewis has labelled Ivan Cleary’s decision to strip him of the Penrith captaincy as a “kick in the guts” and called on the NRL club to clarify Michael Jennings’ future.
Cleary stunned Lewis after he returned from the State of Origin opener in Melbourne by handing the club captaincy to Kevin Kingston until the back-rower ends his representative duties in July.
The 29-year-old scored his side’s fourth try in the 22-4 upset of Manly on Sunday, but cut a disappointed figure after the game.
“I’m not happy with the decision, but I love the boys and the club to death and that’s all I’m thinking of.
“I could have handled it. He (Cleary) just said that’s the way he wants to roll.”
Cleary said he expected Lewis to return to the role after Origin three on July 4, but the Kangaroos star refused to say if he would accept the offer.
“I’m not too sure. I just want to worry about what happens next and that’s training on Monday,” he said.
Jennings missed the game due to a one-match ban after striking Brent Tate during Origin one on Wednesday night.
But he’d been dropped by Cleary for the Panthers’ previous home game against St George Illawarra and is reportedly being offered to other clubs.
Jennings is into the second year of a five-year deal, worth an estimated $600,000 a season, and the Panthers are believed keen to get him off the wage bill.
Lewis said the rumours were concerning for both Jennings and the players, and called on general manager Phil Gould and Cleary to clarify the situation.
“They should tell all the boys so everyone knows what’s going on. Especially Michael Jennings,” he said.
“I think it’s all talk, but where there’s a spark there’s a flame.
“I will go into bat for Michael Jennings a million times over.
“I don’t want him to leave, he is one of my mates and always will be and if he needs me to go down fighting with him I will.”
Questions have been raised about Jennings’ attitude but Lewis denied the 23-year-old has been a problem.
“He’s been outstanding, he’s held his shoulders high,” he said.
“I thought he had a great game on (in Origin) Wednesday. He got sent off for 10 minutes, but that’s Origin. I am sure if he’s here next week he’ll be back playing at his best.”
Sunday’s other NRL clash at Campbelltown Wests Tigers enjoyed a fifth successive win, beating North Queensland 26-18.
The Cowboys’ NSW prop James Tamou was placed on report for dangerous contact with Tiger Benji Marshall after the playmaker had kicked.
Tamou will find out on Monday if he will be punished for the offence which took place early in the first half.
Manly’s Steve Matai could also be in trouble after he was penalised for a high shot to the head of Penrith’s Dan Galea who had to leave the field.
The Kiwi centre has a long record of similar offences and could face another spell on the sidelines.
WQ
Guest
It seems that Ricky's constant whingeing and conspiracy theories are infecting everybody involved with the Blues!
Mals
Guest
Yep fair summary Bearfax. Manly has been disjointed in attack for much of the year & this was certainly evident yesterday. The 2nd half was painful to watch. Credit to the Panthers - they took there opportunities well, their forwards rolled forward & their defence for the most part was very good.
Bearfax
Guest
Congratulations Penrith on a very fine committed win. Maybe they are finally getting the advantage of Cleary's coaching style.and some of their xenior players are beginning to get the message to recognise that their positions are perfromance rather than reputation based. Penrith have the players to get much higher in the comp. Just need the commitment. As for Manly, my team, what can I say but this. Defensively they are generally perfroming well and retain one of the better defences in the comp. But their attack is way off and predictatble. For a team with so many good attacking players they are looking very pedestrian even when they win. To suggest they are a main contender this year or even in the top four at this stage, is ignoring some significant flaws in the attacking structure. I know they've been minus Foran and Tony Williams for quite a while but I think its more than this. Maybe Toovey is playing them too safe. They look good coming up to the oppositions quarter, then they seriously falter. Nope. At this stage my old team should not be considered as contenders, but only a team set for the bottom of the 8. I look at Melbourne's smooth play, the rise of Souths, the much improved Cronulla and an improving Dessie run Canterbury and a maybe over the Cowboys and Broncs and I see the grand final involving that group of teams at this stage
sheek
Guest
Is this an example of inaccurate, sensationalist media reporting? My mail is that Ivan Cleary wanted an interim, alternate captain while Lewis was on SOO duty. This is understandable since it effectively covers a 5-6 week period. My further understanding is that Lewis' demotion is only temporary.