Penrith star Michael Jennings insists he’s learned from his off-field indiscretions last year and vowed to take the NRL by storm in 2012.
The 23-year-old speed merchant endured a roller-coaster year in 2011, enjoying the heights of scoring a brilliant try in the opening State of Origin clash in Brisbane for NSW.
However, the lows made more headlines, with the centre fined $10,000 by Panthers supremo Phil Gould for drinking during his convalescence from one of the several injuries that blighted his season.
This was followed by an incident in August when he reported for training under the influence of alcohol and was subsequently stood down for a clash against Wests Tigers and told to play for Windsor in the NSW Cup.
So incensed was Gould by Jennings’ actions, he added insult to injury by ordering his star player to fork out more than $40,000 of his own money and buy 2000 tickets.
He then made him walk around the pitch at Centrebet Stadium to hand them out to supporters during the halftime interval of the clash with the Tigers.
“It was a pretty humiliating day for me,” Jennings told AAP on the Gold Coast ahead of the NRL Allstars game this Saturday.
“I was walking around and there were people making comments and saying things, it was not a nice experience.
“But I can’t say I didn’t deserve it and I’m not complaining about it. It was an expensive and valuable lesson learned.”
Gould also told Jennings he’d be sacked if he stepped out of line again.
But despite his hardline approach to discipline, Jennings has nothing but respect for the former NSW coach.
“He is one the most approachable people you can meet,” he said.
“You can go and talk to him about anything and he’ll listen. He’s a legend of the game and he wants success so badly for our club and we are lucky to have him.
“Obviously I wasn’t happy with being punished, but you have to be a man and cop it. I know if I do anything else I’ll be out the door so it’s up to me now.”
The quietly-spoken Jennings admits he was disappointed to be overlooked for the Kangaroos’ Four Nations tour of the United Kingdom late last year after scoring just four tries all season.
However, it’s allowed him a full pre-season and the chance to impress new coach Ivan Cleary ahead of the season opener against Canterbury on March 3.
“Ivan is a man of few words, but he knows what he wants and I think I’m going to enjoy working with him,” Jennings said.
“Last year was tough with all my injuries and the off-the-field stuff. I just want to put it all behind me now and just play.”
