Dyldam Parramatta Eels centre Michael Jennings is preparing to make his 200th first grade appearance as the Blue and Gold head to Brookvale Oval to take on the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles on Thursday night.
And the new Eels recruit says the milestone marks 199 game more than he dreamed of as a kid.
“Rugby league has done so much for me and my family,” Jennings said.
“And with the opportunities that I’ve gotten from rugby league, I’m really grateful and honoured to be playing my 200th this week.”
“I didn’t expect to play one first grade game, so to get 200 is unbelievable.”
The Round 7 match will be a homecoming of sorts for Kieran Foran, who left the Sea Eagles at end of the 2015 and still lives on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, but Jennings says the Eels Captain would be ready for a frosty reception.
“He’s prepared for the hostility that he’s going to receive down there at Manly,” Jennings said.
“He’s got thick skin. He’s a champion athlete and a champion player, and he’ll be focussed on getting that win.”
“[For me] I’m just going to treat it as any other game. It’s going to be a tough game up against Manly, especially down there in ‘Brooky’. I’m just working on my combinations and I think everyone’s playing good footy and it’s just helping my game out a lot.”
“Getting those combinations and doing all the small things with BA (Brad Arthur), it’s working.”
“It’ll be good just to get the win.”
The Eels kick off against the Sea Eagles on Thursday, April 14, at Brookvale Oval at 7.50pm.
