- Michael Jennings, 35, is the Roosters’ 18th man on Friday
- Has not played in the NRL since the 2020 Eels drug ban
- He also owes his ex-wife $500,000 after a legal battle
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Michael Jennings’ shock return to the Sydney Roosters gives him the chance to “rewrite his history” after three difficult years without a game, according to coach Trent Robinson.
Jennings was named 18th man for Friday night’s derby against South Sydney, which will take place some 1266 days after his last NRL game in October 2020.
The 18-time NSW State of Origin representative received a three-year ban from the NRL after returning a positive drug test during the 2020 Parramatta final.
Jennings pleaded guilty in 2021 to reduce his four-year suspension – but maintained he did not intentionally take the banned performance-enhancing substances Ligandrol and Ibutamoren.
In the years since, Jennings has found himself embroiled in a legal battle with his ex-wife Kirra Wilden, who has accused the NRL player of sexually assaulting her on several occasions during their marriage. He denies the allegations.
Michael Jennings is set to make a shock return to the NRL with the Roosters after a lengthy drug ban (pictured, in 2015)
Coach Trent Robinson said it was “time for Jennings to finish his career the right way and rewrite it the way it should have been.”
Jennings’ ex-wife Kirra Wilden claims he sexually assaulted her during their relationship
As of November 2023, Jennings had not yet paid the nearly $500,000 ordered following civil litigation with his estranged wife in the NSW District Court.
But the Roosters threw Jennings an NRL lifeline last offseason, luring their 2013 premiership winner to the club on a training and trial deal.
Robinson said the veterans center is looking for redemption.
“There is a desire to rewrite its history,” 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 finished, he didn’t feel like he was finished, but he had to work to get there. “That comes with high quality training and very good performance in reserve class.”
Jennings, 35, started the season playing for the Roosters’ NSW Cup team but will sit on the first-grade bench this Friday.
He can only be activated as the 18th player in the event of multiple concussions or caused by an act of foul play resulting in sin-binning or expulsion.
But Robinson says Jennings has every chance of playing as a freshman at some point this year, with James Tedesco’s likely State of Origin spot expected to force a backline shakeup midway through the season.
The 300-game milestone is within reach for Jennings, who has played 298 NRL games at Penrith, the Roosters and Parramatta since 2007.
“He could definitely play in the NRL this year. That’s what he’s here for,” Robinson said.
“We know we have that (depth), but we like to think some of them might be missing at different times of the year as well.
“It would be ideal and the man can still play football. It will be about putting him in position and we want to get him towards 300 games.
“He’s been a rooster, he’s done things on the pitch that we have to thank him for. “It’s time to finish his career the right way and rewrite it the way it should have been.”