Why one of footy’s most controversial players won’t get a farewell appearance at the NRL grand final – and it’s NOT because he was accused of raping his ex-wife

Controversial rugby league player Michael Jennings will not be part of the NRL’s retiring parade on Sunday at Accor Stadium – but it’s not because he was accused of raping his ex-wife.

NRL veterans including Tyrone Peachy, Aaron Woods and Shaun Johnson will get the chance to say goodbye to fans on grand final day, but according to the Sydney Morning Herald Jennings has elected to not be included.

The Roosters have confirmed that Jennings, who played 307 NRL matches, has quietly bowed out of the game after being given a send-off by the club during the week.

In April, the NRL cancelled plans to celebrate Jennings’ 300th first-grade game after his ex-wife said the league ‘doesn’t take women’s safety seriously’.

NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo made the decision not to honour the Roosters centre’s milestone after consulting ARL boss Peter V’landys, Roosters boss Nick Politis and coach Trent Robinson.

‘Due to past conduct, Michael Jennings will not receive official NRL recognition on his 300th match,’ Abdo said at the time. 

Jennings returned to the game this season after serving a three-year ban for steroid use.

After testing positive to a performance-enhancing drug in 2020 while at Parramatta, Jennings maintained his innocence but ultimately accepted the charges in a bid to reduce his ban from four years to three.

Jennings’ ex-wife Kirra Wilden (pictured together) alleged he sexually assaulted her during their relationship 

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.

The allegations included that Jennings raped her four times between October 2014 and early 2016, claims the star denies.

Jennings has never been charged over those accusations.

His return to the NRL was approved by the Integrity Unit, with his contract registered on the basis he met several conditions relating to the case.

‘I think it’s disgraceful that they have allowed this to happen,’ Wilden told The Sydney Morning Herald.

Jennings returned to the NRL this season after serving a three-year ban for steroid use

‘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.’

According to the report, Wilden’s lawyers maintain their client has yet to receive any money from the footy star.

‘NRL represents our Australian spirit and our international identity,’ Moya de Luca-Leonard, the solicitor on the record in the personal injury case, said.

‘Our footy players are setting standards and should follow the law.’