He’s yet to class himself as an eastern suburbs latte-sipping Rooster, but Michael Jennings says he’s feeling settled and in a good mental space at his new NRL club.
Six weeks after being released from his rich deal at Penrith and six days until his Sydney Roosters debut, Jennings is upbeat about the season ahead.
Asked on Friday how he felt mentally after a turbulent final 18 months with the Panthers, the speedy 24-year-old centre was in no doubt his off-season move was the right one.
“Yeah, definitely – I haven’t been so clear-minded for a while,” said Jennings.
“Everyone from upstairs to the players have been really warming.
“They’ve made the transition a lot easier. I’m loving it at the moment.
“All I can do is play happy. And hopefully I can play my best footy here.”
Jennings’ strained relationship with the Panthers hierarchy became a bit of a soap opera.
Two alcohol-related breaches in 2011 were the catalyst and two of his four tries that season were while playing for the Windsor Wolves.
Last year, it was no secret Penrith’s management team thought he was soaking up too much salary-cap space even though he played all three State of Origin games for NSW.
It took a toll on Jennings, but there’s no ill will after he signed a four-year deal with the ambitious Roosters in January.
“I’ve got no bad blood with them,” said Jennings, who played 122 games for the Panthers.
“There’s always positive feedback that I’ll give about Penrith.
“I’m a Penrith boy so I couldn’t see myself in any other colours.
“So it is daunting to come to another club. But the change has been really good.”
The Roosters have high expectations for this season after finishing 13th and 11th since their 2010 grand final loss.
Jennings is a great buy given the Roosters had the worst line-break record in the competition last season – 3.9 per game.
He’s looking forward to creativity inside from former Warriors five-eighth James Maloney and NSW halfback Mitchell Pearce.
Not as appealing is the commute from the western suburbs to training at Moore Park.
“Today was torture getting in here,” he said with a laugh.
“It took me an hour and a half. So I’m not a full-blown – what is it? – eastern latte drinker. Nah, I’m still a westie.”
