Nobody can blame Michael Jennings for signing a $650,000-a-year contract. But the enigmatic centre only has himself to blame for what has happened since.
Once considered a prodigy the Panthers could build an exciting future on, Jennings has become nothing more than a passenger in his own stuttering career.
If you’re going to sign such a huge contract, you have to back it up in absolutely everything you do. The silky outside back has done anything but. Jennings hasn’t just given Panthers General Manager Phil Gould ammunition; he has given him an arsenal.
Now the international centre sits precariously on the chopping block.
In this crazy world we call the National Rugby League, it is anybody’s guess where he will end up.
Will it be the Sydney Roosters or will it be the Gold Coast Titans?
Or is there another twist at the foot of the mountains?
Could the media-shy Jennings break his silence or could he even sit down with Gould and cop a pay cut for the club that made him a superstar?
Looking closely, the only real winners in all of this might just be the Panthers.
If Jennings does accept a pay cut, which is highly unlikely, Gould and Penrith get what they want. If he does leave, Penrith would have finally cleaned up the worst salary cap the modern game has seen.
Jennings would look lovely in a Roosters strip. But what does he bring to a team that desperately needs leadership and a little less flash?
With the likes of Mitchell Pearce and Sonny Bill Williams leading a metrosexual renaissance at Allianz Stadium, the Roosters need some ticker. A warrior willing to lead from the front.
Jennings isn’t that guy.
Gold Coast is another side willing to fork out a motza for his services.
Titans CEO David May couldn’t speak highly enough of the out-of-favour Panther.
“He’s a superstar of the game and we want superstars at the Titans,” May told The Daily Telegraph earlier in the week.
“I’d imagine we are one of a number of clubs interested in him, but ultimately it will be Michael’s decision.
“We’d love to have him here but if we don’t get him we have a number of different players already at the club who can more than do the job in the outside backs.”
Gold Coast coach John Cartwright is seemingly doing everything in his power to not sign a genuine halfback. With a plethora of giant forwards and a few talented wingers, the Titans desperately need a playmaker.
They don’t need Jennings.
The Roosters and the Titans are chasing Jennings for the sake of chasing.
One way or another, Gould and the Panthers are laughing all the way to the bank.
Kristin Carville
Roar Rookie
I agree that they will be delighted to have cleared a big chunk of their salary cap with Jennings going, but to say they are laughing all the way to the bank now is a just a touch premature. Whilst their cap issue has eased, there is still another issue to address - gate takings. With the team not performing very well in the last season, attendances were well down. If they have another mediocre season, their gate will dwindle again and memberships will suffer, again lowering income. I know very well that the club is still struggling financially and are having to sell a number of assets to ensure they stop operating at a loss, so lets wait and see how 2013 goes before we start talking about who is laughing. Dare say if the Roosters won the premiership (please let it be so!!) and the Panthers had another season like 2012 then it would be Mr Jennings having the last laugh.
Shaun
Guest
Any chance he could go to Cronulla?
Terry Kidd
Guest
I think the Panthers and Gus Gould have taken a long term view that a few players were tying up a significant major percentage of their salary cap, in other words it was very distorted and did not allow the club to offer decent deals, not over the top deals, to up and co ming players. I reckon Gus would be very happy to chop $250K from Jennings deal. From a purely business perspective I would find it very hard to pay any player more than $450K per year because of the distortion it would impose on your salary cap from a squad perspective.
Bearfax
Guest
Thing is who's left at Penrith. Sure Jennings hasnt been setting the world alight in recent times. he does however have the skill and a change may be just the spur he needs. But what of Penrith? They've lost a couple of their very best players including their heart and soul in Lewis. We might join the mocking of Jennings for his behaviour, but is it just Jennings or is there a big problem at Penrith where few players want to go. Whatever, its going to be a long cold winter for the Panthers and a large wooden ladle seems destined for their treasure chest.
Westie Nomad
Roar Rookie
I recall as many others do, that he does one thing well and that is drink and party into the weee hours! Also the side effect of being a proffesional sports star is the constant inuendo regarding salary, if they don't like having this for their job i'm happy to swap with him.
David
Guest
Look I think this article misses the point. Jennings has a contract with the Penrith and the Panthers should honour it. I don't see why Jennings form has given "ammunition" to Gus Gould, has got to do with it. I find it interesting in the media that when a player like Sonny Bill Williams leaves the Bulldogs and does not honour the contract, that the media is up in arms about it. But on the flip side when the club such as the Panthers don't want to honour a contract, that the media somehow decide to paint this as Jennings fault.
peeeko
Roar Guru
football managers never come out and discuss salary levels in public, it is always just heresay and up to the imagination of journalists or player managers trying to look good (tyran Smith)
peeeko
Roar Guru
what makes you say that?
kazza
Guest
It is NOBODIES business how much he earns!! He is paid to do a job & he does it WELL..... I don't see anyone declaring their PERSONAL INCOME on here for all to see???
Curtis Woodward
Expert
Theres a thought
Farmerj
Guest
Jennings could come to Auckland. There would be worse fits for him regarding natural stlye of play of the team mates
Curtis Woodward
Expert
Bulldogs v Broncos or the Raiders as my smokey
Baggins
Guest
Whos in your grand final curtis?
Curtis Woodward
Expert
Most probably. But right now, at this very moment, the Roosters need the complete opposite to Jennings. If Carney was still there, signing Jennings would be exactly what they need. Squad balance and chemistry is more important than a flashy outside back.
Willo
Guest
Curtis, you ask what will Jennings bring to the Roosters? How about some pace in the backs? They haven’t had a decent speedster since Amos Roberts. If you consider the backs they’ve run out in the past few years – Aubs, Leilua, Mini, Henry, Justin Carney, Moga, Tupou , SKD – they’ve either been backrowers, too old and too slow, too inconsistent, too young or just plain average. Jennings and Oldfield running down the left side of SBW would be great to watch.
icoogee
Guest
Panthers won't be laughing if no club comes to the party & picks him up - Then the panthers remain responsible for a ridiculous wage for a non playing player! -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download it now [http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-roar/id327174726?mt=8].
Curtis Woodward
Expert
It would be very close to 650k
betts
Guest
If he isnt on that much, how come Gould or MJ havent come out and said so?
peeeko
Roar Guru
i agree that penrith are laughing and the others are chasing but i also would like to see written proof that Jennings is on 650k a year as widely reported in that bastion of truth known as the telegraph