Boss of anti-domestic-violence group brands Roosters coach Trent Robinson ‘outrageous and appalling’ for backing controversial star Michael Jennings
White Ribbon Australia boss Melissa Perry has labelled Roosters coach Trent Robinson ‘outrageous and appalling’ after he backed controversial NRL star Michael Jennings.
It comes as the centre prepares to chalk up his 300th game in first grade – which won’t be celebrated by the NRL due to his ‘past conduct’.
Jennings recently returned to the code from a three-year ban for steroid use after testing positive to a performance-enhancing drug in 2020 while on the books of Parramatta.
While suspended, Jennings was ordered to pay close to $500,000 in damages to his ex-wife Kirra Wilden after claims of sexual and verbal abuse in a civil suit.
Jennings denies the claims.
White Ribbon Australia boss Melissa Perry (pictured) has labelled Roosters coach Trent Robinson ‘outrageous and appalling’ after he backed controversial star Michael Jennings
The veteran centre is preparing to chalk up his 300th game in first grade – but it won’t be celebrated by the NRL due to his ‘past conduct’
Roosters coach Trent Robinson is fine with the club celebrating Jennings’ milestone and says his return to the NRL is ‘not disrespectful to women’
It comes as Roosters coach Robinson claimed ahead of his team’s game against Newcastle on Thursday that Jennings’ return was ‘not disrespectful to women’.
‘It’s a tough one, right? ‘We don’t know what happened … there’s been no criminal charges,’ he said.
‘What judgement can we make when it’s not been criminal [charges] and gone down the traditional line?
‘So therefore, it’s not disrespectful to women, because there has been no judgement in a criminal sense.’
Jennings’ Roosters teammate Spencer Leniu took to Instagram to share details of a fan-driven celebration for the under-fire veteran (pictured)
A furious Perry felt Robinson failed to display leadership.
‘These comments by the Sydney Roosters coach are frankly outrageous and appalling,’ she told News Corp.
‘Whilst it’s important that we continue to support men who behave in unacceptable ways to change their behaviour, we must also ensure there are consequences for their actions.
‘This was a missed opportunity by Trent Robinson to display genuine leadership within his club and the wider sporting community on how important it is for men and boys to play an active role in women’s safety and calling out men’s violence and abuse.
‘The complete lack of accountability on display is astounding.’
