Footy star Michael Jennings whose past is SO scandalous he was barred from getting one of the NRL’s biggest honours has found a lifeline as a tradie

Michael Jennings has traded packed stadium crowds for job sites as he begins a new chapter in construction after quitting his highly controversial NRL career. 

The former Kangaroos, Tonga and State of Origin star was recently seen in a promotional video for 22 Civil, highlighting his work on a home build in West Ryde, Sydney.

‘Hi there, Michael Jennings here from Introbuild and 22 Civil, come and have a look guys,’ he said in the clip. 

The video showed Jennings coordinating with fencing crews and concreters to build a new home.

The caption on the video read, ‘When strong crews come together, results speak louder,’ with 22 Civil praising Jennings’ involvement in the project. 

For many fans, the footage marked the first public appearance of Jennings since a turbulent 2024 season that saw him reach, but not celebrate, one of rugby league’s rare milestones.

Jennings played for the Sydney Roosters in 2024 but was denied a formal acknowledgement of his 300th NRL match and did not appear on grand final day in the retiring parade

The controversial centre was rubbed out of the game for three years after failing a doping test at Parramatta

Jennings made his NRL debut for the Penrith Panthers in 2007 and played more than 120 games for the club. 

He later joined the Sydney Roosters, winning a premiership in 2013, before signing with Parramatta, where he played over 100 games and became a senior team figure.

At the representative level, he wore the blue of New South Wales 18 times and also played for Australia and Tonga. 

But his career was derailed in 2020 when he was provisionally suspended for testing positive to Ligandrol and Ibutamoren, both banned substances.

In 2021, he received a three-year ban from the NRL Anti-Doping Tribunal, effectively ending his career. 

During this period, Jennings also faced serious legal challenges. His ex-wife Kirra Wilden filed a civil suit accusing him of rape and sexual assault during their relationship.

While Jennings denied the claims, the court found him liable in 2023 and ordered him to pay almost $500,000 in damages. 

Despite this, he returned to the NRL in 2024 and made nine appearances for the Sydney Roosters.

Jennings is now juggling working on the job site and playing semi-professional football

Jennings with his former wife Kirra Wilden in happier times before was found liable in a civil court of assaulting her and ordered to pay $750,000 in damages

While the NRL did not officially acknowledge Jennings for his 300th NRL match, fans at McDonald Jones stadium in Newcastle did

However, any hope of a triumphant return was short-lived. Plans to honour Jennings’ 300th first-grade game were scrapped by the NRL in April. 

His ex-wife publicly criticised the league, saying it failed to take women’s safety seriously.

NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo confirmed the decision to withhold official recognition. 

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

The decision followed consultation with ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys, Roosters chairman Nick Politis and coach Trent Robinson. 

Jennings was also absent from the 2024 grand final retiring parade, where veterans like Shaun Johnson and Aaron Woods were given a chance to farewell fans.

After the season ended, Jennings signed with the St Mary’s Saints in the Ron Massey Cup. 

On May 25, he scored a hat-trick in a 46–8 win, showing he still had something left on the field.

In January, he joined fellow controversial figures Jarryd Hayne and Ben Barba in a Premier League Nines tournament on the Gold Coast. 

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