Awkward for the NRL when Jennings names next week
www.smh.com.au
The ex-wife of Michael Jennings has slammed the NRL’s decision to allow the Roosters star to resume his career, claiming the governing body “doesn’t take the safety of women seriously.”
Jennings played in Friday night’s loss to the Bulldogs after being activated as a concussion substitute, his first NRL game since serving a three-year ban for testing positive to prohibited substances LGD-4033 (Ligandrol) and Ibutamoren.
There is another mark against his name. Jennings was ordered to pay his ex-wife, Kirra Wilden, nearly $500,000 in damages for personal injuries, including post-traumatic stress disorder, following a civil case in the NSW District Court in December 2021. Wilden alleged in court that Jennings had verbally and sexually abused her during their relationship, that he would also drink and gamble heavily, and used cocaine regularly. Jennings denied the allegations.
The matter isn’t over. That ruling by Judge David Wilson SC came almost two years ago and Jennings has since lost an appeal to clear his name and reduce the $490,091.05 amount Wilden was awarded.
The NRL chose to register Jennings after an application from the Roosters, which included outlining his desire to fulfil his financial obligations to his ex-wife.
“I think it’s disgraceful that they have allowed this to happen,” Wilden said. “It’s upsetting as I feel the NRL doesn’t take the safety of women seriously.
“People wonder why people don’t speak up about these types of incidents, it’s because I feel nothing gets done about it in time.”
The issue is expected to come into sharp focus this week. Friday marked Jennings’ 299th first-grade appearance and he may get the opportunity to celebrate his 300th game if selected for Thursday night’s clash against Newcastle at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Traditionally, the NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo is on hand to present the game ball to players celebrating such a milestone. Only a fortnight ago, Roosters teammate Jared Waerea-Hargreaves played in his 300th game and Abdo was there to make the presentation.
Lawyers acting for Wilden said their client has yet to receive any money from Jennings.
“NRL represents our Australian spirit and our international identity,” said Moya de Luca-Leonard, the solicitor on the record in the personal injury case. “Our footy players are setting standards and should follow the law.”
The NRL and the Roosters were contacted for comment.
In June 2022, a judge found that Jennings sold three investment properties and paid the proceeds, which exceeded $1.6 million, to a third party.
“I find that the payment of money to [a third party] was done in order to dissipate or minimise the defendant’s assets in a transparent attempt to avoid satisfying the judgement made in favour of the plaintiff [Wilden],” the judge found.
Speaking after Friday night’s loss, Roosters coach Trent Robinson said Jennings had made a positive contribution after coming onto the field.
“I thought he was great,” Robinson said. “He’s been playing that way, training that way and [it] was really nice to see him play, get out there and show that he’s still got gas and he’s still got effort.”
Asked if he felt Jennings had been capable of making an NRL return, Robinson said: “I didn’t even know if he’d make the squad, to be honest.
“You know, he was on a 14-week trial there, and he was 10 kilos heavier, and his purpose is really clear about why he plays the game now, with his family and wanting to re-write his name in the right way, and do the right thing.
“So, his purpose is really clear, he worked really hard, and I really enjoyed watching him play in reggies [reserve grade].”
‘The game does not take the safety of women seriously’: Jennings’ ex-wife slams NRL
Kirra Wilden, the former wife of the controversial Roosters star, is up in arms over the NRL’s decision to allow him to resume his career.
The ex-wife of Michael Jennings has slammed the NRL’s decision to allow the Roosters star to resume his career, claiming the governing body “doesn’t take the safety of women seriously.”
Jennings played in Friday night’s loss to the Bulldogs after being activated as a concussion substitute, his first NRL game since serving a three-year ban for testing positive to prohibited substances LGD-4033 (Ligandrol) and Ibutamoren.
There is another mark against his name. Jennings was ordered to pay his ex-wife, Kirra Wilden, nearly $500,000 in damages for personal injuries, including post-traumatic stress disorder, following a civil case in the NSW District Court in December 2021. Wilden alleged in court that Jennings had verbally and sexually abused her during their relationship, that he would also drink and gamble heavily, and used cocaine regularly. Jennings denied the allegations.
The matter isn’t over. That ruling by Judge David Wilson SC came almost two years ago and Jennings has since lost an appeal to clear his name and reduce the $490,091.05 amount Wilden was awarded.
The NRL chose to register Jennings after an application from the Roosters, which included outlining his desire to fulfil his financial obligations to his ex-wife.
“I think it’s disgraceful that they have allowed this to happen,” Wilden said. “It’s upsetting as I feel the NRL doesn’t take the safety of women seriously.
“People wonder why people don’t speak up about these types of incidents, it’s because I feel nothing gets done about it in time.”
The issue is expected to come into sharp focus this week. Friday marked Jennings’ 299th first-grade appearance and he may get the opportunity to celebrate his 300th game if selected for Thursday night’s clash against Newcastle at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Traditionally, the NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo is on hand to present the game ball to players celebrating such a milestone. Only a fortnight ago, Roosters teammate Jared Waerea-Hargreaves played in his 300th game and Abdo was there to make the presentation.
Lawyers acting for Wilden said their client has yet to receive any money from Jennings.
“NRL represents our Australian spirit and our international identity,” said Moya de Luca-Leonard, the solicitor on the record in the personal injury case. “Our footy players are setting standards and should follow the law.”
The NRL and the Roosters were contacted for comment.
In June 2022, a judge found that Jennings sold three investment properties and paid the proceeds, which exceeded $1.6 million, to a third party.
“I find that the payment of money to [a third party] was done in order to dissipate or minimise the defendant’s assets in a transparent attempt to avoid satisfying the judgement made in favour of the plaintiff [Wilden],” the judge found.
Speaking after Friday night’s loss, Roosters coach Trent Robinson said Jennings had made a positive contribution after coming onto the field.
“I thought he was great,” Robinson said. “He’s been playing that way, training that way and [it] was really nice to see him play, get out there and show that he’s still got gas and he’s still got effort.”
Asked if he felt Jennings had been capable of making an NRL return, Robinson said: “I didn’t even know if he’d make the squad, to be honest.
“You know, he was on a 14-week trial there, and he was 10 kilos heavier, and his purpose is really clear about why he plays the game now, with his family and wanting to re-write his name in the right way, and do the right thing.
“So, his purpose is really clear, he worked really hard, and I really enjoyed watching him play in reggies [reserve grade].”
