Shattered Parramatta centre Michael Jennings has vowed to clear his name after he was stood down for testing positive to performance-enhancing substances.
The Eels’ were rocked just 12 hours out from their semi-final against South Sydney on Saturday morning, when Jennings was provisionally stood down by the NRL.
Jennings received the knock on the door from Sports Integrity Australia at around 7am, before the club learned of his news almost immediately after.
It’s alleged the 32-year-old tested positive to both Ligandrol and Ibutamoren on September 21, both of which are banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency.
Ligandrol is the same drug Australian swimmer Shayna Jacks famously tested positive to last year and has since denied knowingly taking.
The drug is used to build and repair muscles while Ibutamoren also boosts growth hormone levels, with both consumed orally.
But in a statement on Saturday, Jennings insisted he was innocent.
“I am totally against any form of cheating in sport and am completely shocked to find myself in this position. I will do everything I can to clear my name,” it read.
“I have dedicated the last 14 years of my life to playing in the NRL.
“I would never do anything to jeopardise my standards, my reputation, or the legacy I leave, especially for my son.”
“I am completely shattered that I won’t be able to play with my team tonight. We have worked so hard to get where we are.
“I have every faith in the boys and wish them the best.
“This is a really difficult time for me and my family, but I will work with Sports Integrity Australia to progress this case and clear my name.”
The popular player has been offered welfare support by the NRL, Eels and players’ union, while he can also have his B-sample analysed.
But regardless, it leaves the former NSW and Australia Test centre’s career in the balance just a week out from what could have been his 300th NRL game.
Jennings also returned positive tests to metabolites of the two drugs, with the offence carrying a four-year ban.
The Eels were shocked by the news on Saturday morning.
Jennings remains a senior figure in their squad and had only been re-signed until the end of 2021 earlier this season.
He was made available to media recently as this week and spoke openly on how he was trying to fix his team’s backline defensive woes.
His absence comes at the worst possible time for the club.
They are already without wingers Blake Ferguson and Maika Sivo for Saturday night’s semi-final, with Haze Dunster set to debut in a makeshift backline.
His brother George Jennings will also have to play with the drama in the background, having been recalled for Sivo.
That could prove particularly daunting, with the Rabbitohs having run rampant on the edges in recent weeks.
The incident is the second drugs scandal to hit the NRL in 2020, with Cronulla centre Bronson Xerri fighting to clear his name after being stood down in May.
Former NRL hooker James Segeyaro is also fighting to clear his name after returning a positive sample to Ligandrol last year.
The All Blacks have a supliments company as a sponsor and have been using the same company for some years now. I believe the company specialises in supliments for high level sports atheletes so you would hope they are testing constantly for safe practices in making their products. I think we would all be surprised if we knew the supliment schedules for pro atheletes....
StuO
Roar Rookie
I haven't bought into the Parra hype all year, but I get the feel this is a blessing in disguise. It's no secret the Eels struggle under pressure and this might be the pressure valve release that relaxes them into the contest (as there is minimal expectation). On the flip side, the Bunnies have shown they can be punished for taking opposition lightly. I still think and hope it's a comfortable win to the Rabbitohs.
Eelsalmighty
Roar Rookie
I don't think any Parra fan is giving up, or giving us no hope, but it's going to be extremely tough from here. If we pull off a win tonight it'll be one of our proudest moments in the NRL era. I'm prepared for the worst, but hoping for the best.
Chris Love
Roar Guru
"In all the tests we've done which is many, many thousands I can remember one or perhaps two," he said. "It would be one in 10,000." https://www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-union/all-black-lock-patrick-tuipulotu-cleared-of-doping-after-b-sample-tests-negative-20170209-gu99uu.html
Chris Love
Roar Guru
Outside of the Russian’s directly tampering with the samples I can’t remember it ever happening.
Muck
Guest
The NRL had the chance to sort this out during the Cronulla investigation but chose to turn a blind eye . Past players of the game, some ledgends came out in defence saying that in their day they stood in line to take pills each week from the club doctor , not knowing and not caring what they were . The NRL right then and there shouldve said WTF. Legal or not these peptides , shakes , injections or pills are all designed to increase stamina , speed , strength and recovery time . Legal or not they are all taken in secrecy . No club , coach or player ever talk about it . They all talk about pre season militry camps , sand dunes and big hills . They talk about hard work , extra sessions , strongest , fastest in the group but never ever talk about their clubs drugs program . They all do it but no one talks about it . Legal or not its our games dirty little secret.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Funny how I was just thinking that he was a bit past it last year and was surprised at his form in recent weeks. I guess that explains it
Ian_
Roar Rookie
I'm awaiting an NRL based rock'n'roll scandal today to complete the trifecta.
Ian_
Roar Rookie
Yeah, does that ever happen?
Nick
Roar Guru
So, in your world, Burgess deserves a fair trial and until so all the media is doing is reporting fake news. But you are ready to hang, draw and quarter Jennings based off news reports? Doesn't Jennings deserve a fair trial too? Also, was releasing this info today part of your giant conspiracy to bring the rabbitohs down?
Nick
Roar Guru
1 in 8000 apparently.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Gee, you cant put brains into statues! Jennings has has problems with this for a long time and it seems that it hasn't gone away, its a shame!
JGK
Roar Guru
Ok, to be clear, I am unaware of any specific instance of a player taking PEDs who hasn’t been caught. But common sense tells you that players that get are unlikely to have been caught the first time they have used them and similarly that they are the only ones who are using them. With odds of getting caught being so low it’s no surprise that players try to get away with it.
Phil
Roar Rookie
My thoughts are irrelevant. You made a serious allegation so I asked you a question about it which didn't receive an answer. Maybe you are merely speculating on your own thoughts in relation to the matter.
JGK
Roar Guru
Do you really think k that was the first time Xerri and Jennings had been on the gear? And that they are the only ones?
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Monty Python has a fan base amongst the Roarers...
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
I just saw that too.. without assuming guilt, one would think seeing what JDB went through it would reinforce a bit of extra thought and care when socialising and a reminder of what awaits poor form. Wonder if Dragons detected something in his nature that led to no offer… They really dodged a missile there
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Big bro makes strange calls on what passes muster sometimes. Chin up mate, might bring them together.. Remember, Souths had their own off-field drama last week and it didn't faze them.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
Check out Brisbanes last 3 finals games
Phil
Roar Rookie
They keep getting away with it?????? Do you know something the rest of us don't?