On the worst day of Michael Jennings’ 298-game NRL career, his younger brother George fronted up for the biggest of his own with a double against South Sydney on Saturday night.
Like the entire Parramatta club, George was rocked by news early on Saturday that older brother Michael was provisionally suspended for returning a positive test for performance-enhancing drugs.
Coach Brad Arthur phoned all of his players, but saved a deeper conversation for the 27-year-old winger who was set to replace the injured Maika Sivo.
Being his first NRL finals game, it was already a mammoth task to complete without the emotional turmoil of the day.
The pressure could have broken him, but George turned out 130 metres and the first double of his NRL career.
“He did a really good job,” Arthur said after the 38-24 semi-final loss to Souths.
“He managed to brush aside some personal matters and get on with the job for his teammates.
“I called every single player this morning and their attitude was great.
“It was a bit more of a deeper conversation with George.
“When he got here he shrugged it off and he was ready to go.”
In one of the more dramatic days in the club’s history, the Eels were shocked by news their former Test and Origin centre had returned a positive sample for Ligandrol and Ibutamoren.
The news alone was disturbing, but on the morning of a semi-final so was the timing.
However, Arthur refused to use it as an excuse for bowing out of the finals in straight sets.
‘They bounced in, they were ready to go and obviously people were concerned about what happened but they knew they had a job to do, and it was to come and play footy,” he said.
“I thought the effort was there but it was just some dumb moments.
“(Souths) scored three soft tries tonight. We didn’t make them earn those tries.
“They’re disappointed, and so they should be. It’s a massive lost opportunity.”
Arthur said he had spoken to Michael earlier in the day out of concern for his welfare as he faces a four-year ban from WADA compliant sports.
The 32-year-old now has the chance to have his B-sample tested as the next part of the process.