UNIQUE IDEA
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MAY 11 2012 ISSUE 1052
PROUDLY INDEPENDENT CIRCULATION: 59,400
THE HEARTBEAT OF PENRITH
Jennings dumped Superstar sent to Windsor as Cleary stamps his authority TROY DODDS
P
anthers General Manager Phil Gould says he backs the decision by coach Ivan Cleary to drop superstar centre Michael Jennings to the NSW Cup. On the cusp of State of Origin selection for the Blues, Jennings was dramatically cut from fi rst grade on Tuesday due to poor form and is set to play for Windsor this weekend. It comes as Cleary confi rmed that Jennings was “hooked” during the clash with Melbourne last Saturday night. Cleary said: “I took him off the field. Medical advice was that he was fi ne to play. I took him off, so you can take that how you want”. Jennings had hurt his shoulder against Newcastle in round eight, and it was originally suspected the injury had flared again when he was taken from the field against the Storm. The brave and courageous move by Cleary to dump his highest paid player was not made in consultation with Gould, but the boss was informed of the decision before it went public. “I have nothing to do with selections, I have nothing to do with the coaching of the team,” Gould told the Weekender on Wednesday. “Naturally he informs me before the sides are announced but that’s only a courtesy… I back his decision 100 per cent.” When asked what his initial reaction was when Cleary informed him that Jennings would be dumped, Gould said: “I could see where he was coming from, yeah”. Incredibly, Jennings is likely to go from park football on Saturday to Origin selection on Sunday, but Gould was adamant that the demotion was not for disciplinary reasons. “They’ve come up with a decision and I trust their expertise. The decision’s made and that’s all there is to it,” Gould said. “The fi rst grade jersey does need to mean something – you need to cherish it. “If you play for the Panthers it needs to be obvious that you’re proud about doing so.” Meanwhile, Phil Gould has spoken about a salary cap crisis at the Panthers and urged fans to be patient. See page 73.
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MICHAEL JENNINGS GOES DOWN WITH A SHOULDER INJURY IN ROUND EIGHT. PHOTO: MELINDA JENKINS
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