- Michael Jennings, 35, becomes the Roosters’ 18th man on Friday
- Hasn’t played an NRL since the 2020 drug ban at Eels
- He also owes his ex-wife $500,000 after a legal battle
Michael Jennings’ shock return to the Sydney Roosters gives him the chance to “rewrite his story” after a difficult three years away from football, coach Trent Robinson has said.
Jennings has been named 18th man for Friday night’s derby clash against South Sydney, which will take place some 1266 days after he last played an NRL match in October 2020.
The 18-time NSW State of Origin representative was handed a three-year ban by the NRL after returning a positive drug test during the 2020 Parramatta final.
Jennings pleaded guilty in 2021 to having his four-year ban reduced, but insisted he did not deliberately take the banned performance-enhancing drugs Ligandrol and Ibutamoren.
In the years that followed, Jennings became embroiled in a legal battle with his ex-wife Kirra Wilden, who accused the NRL player of sexually assaulting her multiple times during their marriage. He denies the claims.
Michael Jennings is on the cusp of a shock NRL return with the Roosters after a lengthy drug ban (pictured, in 2015)
Coach Trent Robinson said it’s ‘time for Jennings to end his career the right way and rewrite it as it should have been’
Jennings’ ex-wife Kirra Wilden claims he sexually assaulted her during their relationship
As of November 2023, Jennings had yet to pay the nearly $500,000 ordered at the end of the civil dispute with his ex-wife in the NSW District Court.
But the Roosters threw Jennings an NRL lifeline during the most recent off-season, luring their 2013 premiership winner back to the club via a train-and-trial deal.
Robinson said the veterans center was looking for redemption.
“There is a desire to rewrite his story,” Robinson said. “There was a carrot there to get his life and career back on track and that was himself, but also through the Roosters.
“I didn’t feel like he was ready, he didn’t feel like he was done, but he had to work for it. ‘That goes hand in hand with high-quality training and some very good performances in the reserve class.’
Jennings, 35, started the season playing for the Roosters’ NSW Cup side but will be on the first-grade bench next Friday.
He can only be activated as the 18th player in the event of multiple concussions or a concussion caused by foul play that results in a scapegoat or ejection.
But Robinson says Jennings has every chance of playing in the first division at some point this year, with James Tedesco’s likely berth in State of Origin forcing a mid-season reshuffle of the backline.
The 300-game milestone is within reach for Jennings, who has played 298 NRL games in spells at Penrith, the Roosters and Parramatta dating back to 2007.
“He could definitely play the NRL this year. That’s what he’s here for,” Robinson said.
“We know we have that (depth), but we like to think that some of them may also be missing at different times during the year.
‘That would be ideal and the man can still play football. That’s about getting him in a position and we want to get him towards 300 games.
“He’s been a Rooster, he’s done some things on the field for which we have to thank him. “It’s time to end his career the right way and rewrite it as it should have been.”