http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/sport/nrl/story/0,26799,25528754-5006066,00.html
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Jennings in 109m stunner
Pick me, pick me ... Michael Jennings has sent Origin selectors a strong message. Photograph: Mark Evans / The Sunday Telegraph
PENRITH 48 ROOSTERS 6
PENRITH flyer Michael Jennings sent NSW selectors a message - and it came in the shape of a 109m try against the Roosters. While questions have been raised about his defence, Jennings scored a hat-trick of tries in Penrith's demolition of the Roosters and proved there's no substitute for speed.
Jennings scooped up a grubber kick on his own deadball line, stepped Roosters prop Mark O'Meley then scooted the length of the field to plant the ball beneath the posts.
"I couldn't believe it,'' said Jennings, who surprised even himself. "I saw O'Meley there and I thought I've got to step him or he'll smash me. It was survival. I just had to get away from him, after that I just did what I did.
"I wanted to play tonight. After last week's performance, I felt a bit down, I just wanted to pick my game up. It was more about impressing myself.''
Jennings was criticised for a poor defensive performance against Cronulla last weekend, but Panthers coach Matt Elliott last night blamed himself for that hiccup. He'd given Jennings four days off training to recover from the City-Country weekend.
Panthers lock Luke Lewis, who also enhanced his state chances, said Blues selectors could not ignore Jennings.
"His defence is unreal. I know there's been a lot of speculation about his defence, but that was one game out of nine,'' Lewis said.
Lewis went off early in the second half with nerve pain in his neck, a recurrence of an injury he suffered the week before. But the utility, who has been taking muscle relaxants, declared himself fit for Origin if selected.
During his time on the field, Lewis was outstanding. He forced three early Roosters turnovers with crunching tackles, set up the first try with a sublime pass for Frank Pritchard, then scored his own nine seconds from halftime.
"I thought he'd be a good bench player (for Origin), but I think I'm wrong. I don't think you can afford to leave him on the bench,'' Elliott said.
The Panthers celebrated a fourth consecutive victory and their biggest against the Roosters with a nine-try romp. Roosters coach Brad Fittler is running out of answers to fix his stuttering side, with his latest experiment to turn Braith Anasta into a fullback blowing up in his face.
Rather than saving Anasta in defence, the controversial move only served to expose him under the high ball.
He dropped the first bomb sent his way and spilled another that led to a try. "I respect fullbacks a lot more now, it was tough,'' Anasta sighed. "They just kept peppering me. Obviously dropping the first one you get a bit nervous. It was hard out there, but what do you do?''
Fulltime
PENRITH 48 (M Jennings 3, W Graham 2, F Pritchard, S Elford, L Coote, L Lewis tries; J Sammut 3, L Walsh 3 goals) beat SYDNEY ROOSTERS 6 (B Jones try; B Anasta goal). Referees: S Lyons, A Klein. Crowd: 8515.
