Michael Jennings says he has finally come to terms with his acrimonious exit from Penrith as the Sydney Roosters star prepares to play at the foot of the mountains for the first time since leaving the Panthers.
After playing a starring role in the tricolours’ round eight hammering of the Panthers at Allianz Stadium, Jennings declared he was enjoying his football again but his heart would always be at Penrith.
That came despite him being unwanted by the club with whom he made his way through the grades and a humiliating dumping to the NSW Cup before last year’s State of Origin series.
The NSW centre said he is expecting a rough reception from Panthers fans at Centrebet Stadium on Friday night after leaving the club at the start of the year following a public falling out with club supremo Phil Gould.
But Jennings insists that the nature of his departure no longer worries him.
“I’m sure there will still be a few upset Panthers fans,” Jennings told the Roosters website.
“It was a bit of a weird feeling last time we played them but I’m not phased by it anymore.
“But to be honest it’s not about me, it’s about the team.
“All my energy is focused on making sure the team gets the victory on the night.”
Penrith have been the surprise packet of the 2013 season but some have predicted their mid-season bubble has burst after they have followed up three successive wins with heavy back-to-back losses to Newcastle and Cronulla.
But Penrith have been tough to beat at home, enjoying wins over Canberra and Melbourne and a 62-6 thumping of the Warriors.
And Jennings said the round 21 fixture shapes as a danger game for the Roosters who sit two points behind South Sydney in the quest for the minor premiership.
“We need to just make sure we go in with the right attitude, the Panthers are a tough team who can beat anyone on their day as we saw when they played the Storm,” Jennings said.
“As a team we have to stick to our structure and work hard in defence,” Jennings said.
“We are slowly building a culture here at the club.
“We just want to be consistent and make sure that everybody buys in to what we are doing.”