Roosters players insist controversial NRL star Michael Jennings should be celebrated

Sydney Roosters teammates insist Michael Jennings’ 300th game should be celebrated, with Angus Crichton claiming any attack on the center is hypocritical.

Jennings will play his 300th match against Newcastle on Thursday evening after returning from a three-year ban against Canterbury last week for steroid use.

After testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug while at Parramatta in 2020, Jennings maintained his innocence but ultimately accepted the charges in a bid to have his ban reduced from four to three years.

While suspended, after a civil suit, Jennings was ordered to pay nearly $500,000 in damages to his ex-wife following claims of sexual and verbal abuse.

Jennings denied the claims but was found on the balance of probabilities to have raped his wife at least four times by a NSW District Court judge.

The troubled footy star recently returned from a three-year ban on steroid use

He was not charged in these cases, and the court’s findings did not have to be beyond a reasonable doubt, as in criminal cases.

The 35-year-old’s return to the NRL was cleared by the integrity unit, with his contract registered on the grounds he met several conditions relating to the case.

The NRL is under pressure not to celebrate Jennings’ milestone this week, with traditional CEO Andrew Abdo presenting the match ball and praising the centre’s service for the game.

The Roosters players did not specifically discuss the civil case when asked about Jennings’ 300th on Sunday, but were adamant that his return should be recognised.

“I think it should definitely be celebrated,” Crichton said.

‘I don’t know the full details, but from what I’ve seen he maintains that he was not in fact using performance enhancing drugs. I believe him and I trust him.

“He’s obviously been such a great player in our game for so many games. Why not celebrate?

“We have other people in rugby league who have had similar charges and they have been celebrated and put on honor boards.

Angus Crichton said other players with similar issues have been praised by the NRL

“Michael Jennings has worked so hard to get back to where he is today. I think he not only deserves to be celebrated, but he deserves it.”

Jennings’ old teammate Daniel Tupou also said the NRL’s oldest active player should be recognised.

‘Everyone experiences everything. At the end of the day, we are all human,” Tupou said.

‘That’s just my opinion, don’t take it out of context. But I feel like he deserves (recognition) for what he did for the game.”

Jennings will almost certainly be selected for Thursday night given the Roosters’ injuries following their dramatic defeat to Canterbury.

James Tedesco is recovering well from concussion, but Joey Manu will shift from the centers to take the No. 1 jersey.

Winger Dom Young also faces a ban, while Connor Watson will play halves in place of concussion Sam Walker.

And despite his timeout, Roosters players insist there are still positives in Jennings’ game.

“He’s still got a lot of speed and quickness,” Crichton said.

“He’s a handful to tackle and he works hard, is a good defensive centre. He gets up and shuts down (rivals).

“And now even more so, he has the knowledge and the wisdom to have been around the game for so long. He’s so good for our younger guys.”