So, Michael Jennings. How do we feel?
300 games this weekend. 41st player to do it. Tradition is, you get the game ball presented to you, generally by the CEO.
The NRL has, after media pressure, come out and said that won't happen this weekend.
And why? Well, because by all accounts Michael is a bit of a shit bloke. He's coming back from a drugs ban. Then he lost a civil case where it was found he, on multiple occasions, sexually assaulted his former partner, and was ordered to pay her a sizeable sum. An amount i believe he has not even begun to pay back. Note, no criminal charges, civil only.
Despite all this, the NRL signed off on re-registering Jennings, and let him join the Roosters.
And so, we come to this weekend, and the NRL's decision. Should this bloke be "honoured"? well, no, it appears he's a bit of a shit bloke. BUT, if the NRL think he's "clean" enough to get re-registered with their organisation, surely he is "clean" enough to be treated like everyone else?
IMO he should never have been given another contract (willing to admit i don't know how this would go in court given the lack of criminal charges). And i can understand the NRL CEO not wanting to be seen to be handing this bloke a game ball. The Roosters and Jennings say they are okay with this, but that is PR in full spin. I just feel, if you took the step to re-register the bloke, then this actually makes you look weak.