‘I do pinch myself': From Ron Massey Cup to the NSW Origin squad in half a season
Since then, he hasn't missed a game for the champions, stringing together 11 appearances, culminating in a career-best performance in Penrith's 18-14 win against Wests Tigers last week. Jenkins scored a hat-trick of tries, made five line-breaks, 12 tackle-breaks and carried the ball 253 metres in attack.
Just when he thought life could not get much better, he was called into the NSW squad this week as a development/shadow player to help the Blues prepare for Origin II in Perth on Wednesday.
'Oh, I think we've just enjoyed his enthusiasm,' NSW coach Daley Laurie said, explaining the decision to invite Jenkins into camp.
'He seems like he's gotten better and better ... he was a guy that we sort of had down the middle of last week that we wanted to bring him into camp, and to see him play the way he did [against the Tigers], yeah, it was tremendous.
'So to come from where he has and just to come up here for a couple of days and mingle in around the squad, I think it's a great opportunity for him.'
Panthers coach Ivan Cleary said the 'humility' Jenkins showed during the pre-season convinced him he was worth another chance.
'He went down to Massey and did his time, trained hard - in our afternoon squad, as well,' Cleary said. 'And then when he got a chance in [NSW] Cup, he was too good for Cup as well. So he just did everything we asked, and he's still doing it.'
Whatever he achieves this season and beyond, Jenkins said he will always be grateful to St Mary's.
'I was so happy to go back there and play for them,' he said. 'They're such a good club. I knew I'd enjoy my footy there. I've got a lot of mates there, and that's what it was about.
'It was about enjoying footy. It wasn't about how high I was playing or what I was doing. It was about enjoying it. But yeah, things have worked out, and I ended up enjoying it here.'
Jenkins' train-and-trial deal has since been upgraded into a full-time contract until the end of next season.
'The goal was always to come and play in NRL, but like I said, it was about coming back and enjoying my footy,' he said.
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'I feel like at St Mary's, it was a step in the right direction. 'I knew a pathway back to the Panthers was there. Nothing was promised, nothing was guaranteed, but I was happy to take that chance. I wake up every day feeling blessed, being grateful. I'm lucky for the position I'm in and the things that have fallen my way.
'I do pinch myself. I find myself lucky, but in saying that, like I said, I've got to keep my feet on ground and take it week by week.
'Like I said, nothing's guaranteed. There's so many good players that are coming up underneath, so I can't take my position for granted.
'Nothing's secure ever, so it's about playing good week to week. It's up to me to keep doing that job.'
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The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Back to future 'excites' Carrigan on Maroons benching
Pat Carrigan was such a success in his Queensland debut off the bench in 2022 that coach Billy Slater will play him there again in a do-or-die State of Origin roll of the dice. The benching of regular Maroons lock Carrigan for game two of the series in Perth next week came as a shock to NSW, particularly second-rower Angus Crichton who insisted it was a "mind games" ploy. Crichton refused to believe the Maroons team list which has Melbourne forward Trent Loiero named at No.13 and Carrigan at No.17. Queensland can of course make a late switch if they choose but closer inspection reveals there is method in Slater's apparent madness. In game one of 2022, Carrigan had one of the great Maroons debuts off the bench. He smashed Jack Wighton with his first tackle and his opening run was hailed by Slater post-match as "a momentum shift for us" in a 16-10 win at Accor Stadium. The Brisbane forward came on in the 15th minute and played the rest of the match on the way to 183m from 19 runs and making 34 tackles. He was even in contention for the man of the match award. "We've had some conversations with Bill and it's all about what is best for the balance of our team," Carrigan said of his positional switch. "I won't touch on it too much but I think it is about getting the best out of each other as a team and creating a bit of havoc when I get on the field. "I just want to do my role for the team. I know that the boys that start are going to lay the foundations for us. "Coming off the bench ... I am excited. It gives me an opportunity to get into the game and make a difference." The 27-year-old also played game two of the 2022 series off the bench but has lined up at lock for his last eight Origin matches, including the 18-6 loss in Brisbane in game one this year where he topped the tackle count with 53 and ran for 139m. Carrigan may have paid a price for the Maroons' poor start in game one where penalties and a failure to win the ruck cost his side. "They probably won the ruck definitely when you look back at it. Our discipline was pretty poor and I was there at the start of the events," he said. "When you give the opposition so much footy you make it hard for yourself. The effort was always there but just our start let us down." Carrigan said he had ultimate faith that Loiero would do the job at lock. "He's playing for Melbourne at the moment and Billy watches every habit in everyone's game," he said. "I know Billy trusts him to do his job and we trust him too." Pat Carrigan was such a success in his Queensland debut off the bench in 2022 that coach Billy Slater will play him there again in a do-or-die State of Origin roll of the dice. The benching of regular Maroons lock Carrigan for game two of the series in Perth next week came as a shock to NSW, particularly second-rower Angus Crichton who insisted it was a "mind games" ploy. Crichton refused to believe the Maroons team list which has Melbourne forward Trent Loiero named at No.13 and Carrigan at No.17. Queensland can of course make a late switch if they choose but closer inspection reveals there is method in Slater's apparent madness. In game one of 2022, Carrigan had one of the great Maroons debuts off the bench. He smashed Jack Wighton with his first tackle and his opening run was hailed by Slater post-match as "a momentum shift for us" in a 16-10 win at Accor Stadium. The Brisbane forward came on in the 15th minute and played the rest of the match on the way to 183m from 19 runs and making 34 tackles. He was even in contention for the man of the match award. "We've had some conversations with Bill and it's all about what is best for the balance of our team," Carrigan said of his positional switch. "I won't touch on it too much but I think it is about getting the best out of each other as a team and creating a bit of havoc when I get on the field. "I just want to do my role for the team. I know that the boys that start are going to lay the foundations for us. "Coming off the bench ... I am excited. It gives me an opportunity to get into the game and make a difference." The 27-year-old also played game two of the 2022 series off the bench but has lined up at lock for his last eight Origin matches, including the 18-6 loss in Brisbane in game one this year where he topped the tackle count with 53 and ran for 139m. Carrigan may have paid a price for the Maroons' poor start in game one where penalties and a failure to win the ruck cost his side. "They probably won the ruck definitely when you look back at it. Our discipline was pretty poor and I was there at the start of the events," he said. "When you give the opposition so much footy you make it hard for yourself. The effort was always there but just our start let us down." Carrigan said he had ultimate faith that Loiero would do the job at lock. "He's playing for Melbourne at the moment and Billy watches every habit in everyone's game," he said. "I know Billy trusts him to do his job and we trust him too." Pat Carrigan was such a success in his Queensland debut off the bench in 2022 that coach Billy Slater will play him there again in a do-or-die State of Origin roll of the dice. The benching of regular Maroons lock Carrigan for game two of the series in Perth next week came as a shock to NSW, particularly second-rower Angus Crichton who insisted it was a "mind games" ploy. Crichton refused to believe the Maroons team list which has Melbourne forward Trent Loiero named at No.13 and Carrigan at No.17. Queensland can of course make a late switch if they choose but closer inspection reveals there is method in Slater's apparent madness. In game one of 2022, Carrigan had one of the great Maroons debuts off the bench. He smashed Jack Wighton with his first tackle and his opening run was hailed by Slater post-match as "a momentum shift for us" in a 16-10 win at Accor Stadium. The Brisbane forward came on in the 15th minute and played the rest of the match on the way to 183m from 19 runs and making 34 tackles. He was even in contention for the man of the match award. "We've had some conversations with Bill and it's all about what is best for the balance of our team," Carrigan said of his positional switch. "I won't touch on it too much but I think it is about getting the best out of each other as a team and creating a bit of havoc when I get on the field. "I just want to do my role for the team. I know that the boys that start are going to lay the foundations for us. "Coming off the bench ... I am excited. It gives me an opportunity to get into the game and make a difference." The 27-year-old also played game two of the 2022 series off the bench but has lined up at lock for his last eight Origin matches, including the 18-6 loss in Brisbane in game one this year where he topped the tackle count with 53 and ran for 139m. Carrigan may have paid a price for the Maroons' poor start in game one where penalties and a failure to win the ruck cost his side. "They probably won the ruck definitely when you look back at it. Our discipline was pretty poor and I was there at the start of the events," he said. "When you give the opposition so much footy you make it hard for yourself. The effort was always there but just our start let us down." Carrigan said he had ultimate faith that Loiero would do the job at lock. "He's playing for Melbourne at the moment and Billy watches every habit in everyone's game," he said. "I know Billy trusts him to do his job and we trust him too."
The Australian
16 hours ago
- The Australian
Goulburn, Muswellbrook best bets, inside mail for Friday, June 13, 2025
Form analyst Shayne O'Cass provides his best bets and analysis of the Quaddie legs at Goulburn and Muswellbrook on Friday. The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. Find a winner here! ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ GOULBURN BEST BET Race 1 No. 3: LET'S GO BRANDON Easy winner of a high quality Maiden here last start. Go well. NEXT BEST Race 3 No. 7: YVETTE Resumes. Placed at Canterbury at only two at the first prep. VALUE Race 2 No. 8: EVERLASTING STARS Won here first-up, fourth in town after that, good last time too. QUADDIE Race 5: 2, 5, 6 Race 6: 2 Race 7: 3, 4, 9 Race 8: 4, 6, 9 JOCKEY TO FOLLOW Four kilo claimer DALE COLE could be in for a big day. Apprentice Dale Cole has a nice rides at Goulburn. Picture: Bradley Photos MUSWELLBROOK BEST BET Race 6 No. 9: BELLINI SPRITZ Done nothing wrong on all three starts. Loaded with promise. NEXT BEST Race 8 No. 10: TANGLEWOOD JIMMY Could run over the top of these late. Has talent. VALUE Race 1 No. 7: GHAZNAVI Winless after 15 starts. deserves one more chance here. INSIDE MAIL - GOULBURN RACE 5: KIRK'S BRIDGE FARM BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP 1500m DOWNTOWN'S ABBEY (5) has raced here at home three times for a win and a second. That win came at her last start back on April 28 and it was also over this trip. Got a tres bien by Pierre Boudvillain from gate 1 that day. Hopefully barrier 10 of 10 isn't overly detrimental here. In-form MIDNIGHT LUNA (2) may well be saved for this weekend's Highway. The best form of the Pat Murphy-trained local GOOFINATOR (6) is good enough to get onto the podium somewhere. Bet: Downtown's Abbey to win RACE 6: HOMEBASE REAL ESTATE MAIDEN PLATE 1500m LIMBURG (2) was sold for $1 million at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale in 2022. Fast forward to May 2024 and the son of Justify (and half to Loving Gaby) was snapped up for $11,000. Two runs for Joe Pride at the provincials point to an imminent win. RUDBECKIA (4) faced a Heavy 9 at Bathurst first-up (must forgive). Two runs at the first preparation include a third to Let's Fly at Kembla albeit eight and a half behind her. Bet: Limburg to win, Daily Double 1st leg 2, 2nd Leg 4 RACE 7: JEWELL BUILDERS BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP 1300m SPIRITS BURN DEEP (4) is bred, owned and trained by one of the industry's great all-rounders in Neil Osborne. This daughter of Deep Field has a win at the same track and distance. She was second to Chemtrail here on May 8 before a below par Highway run on May 24. Kudos to the Green Brothers Racing for their $6,000 yearling buy KILLER KERR (3) who has won $106,000 with more to come. Only needs to repeat her May 30 effort here and she probably wins. Bet: Spirits Burn Deep each-way, quinella 2, 4 RACE 8: RADIO GOULBURN COUNTRY BOOSTED CLASS 1 HANDICAP 1200m THOUGHTFUL (4) is a sparingly-raced five-year-old with just five starts on his resume; one win, one second, one third and one fourth to Highway Strip here too. He seems to be a naturally talented horse and so he should be given he's a close relative of Happy Clapper, Thankgodyou'rehere and others. Fluctuations might tell a story here. You wouldn't find too many outright deeper races than pretty much every single one that WINNIE FORTUNE (8) has contested and run especially well in. Bet: Thoughtful to win, box trifecta 1, 4, 6, 9 INSIDE MAIL - MUSWELLBROOK RACE 5: COUNTRY BOOSTED CLASS 1 HANDICAP 1280m ZELESTIAL (5) was a barber-shop tip when she made her long coming Australian debut on a very wet Taree track on May 20. Masterful training performance by Lyle Chandler, masterful ride by Donovan Dillon too. Pros; beat a subsequent winner and is handy. Cons; second-up off a long break. It's easy to see that Solitario is a young three-year-old on the way up. Races in the colours of his grandam, Ortensia too. Bullock, box two. DASH BY (6) could sprint well fresh. Bet: Zelestial to win, quinella 2, 5 RACE 6: BENGALLA CUP SUN 27 JULY BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP 1450m BELLINI SPRITZ (9) is a stablemate of the aforementioned Solitario and what was said about him, we could cut and paste for this Arrowfield-owned and bred daughter of Dundeel out of a Snitzel mare. Only win was at the same trip last prep. Good first-up, Bullock, gate five. FULL COMMITMENT (12) has finished with a medal at six of her 10 runs. Note that her only win thus far came second-up as she is here. One day YOU HAVE TO GO (14) is going to run over the top of a field. Bet: Belle Spritz to win, exacta 9 / 12, You Have To Go to place, DD 1st Leg 9, 2nd Leg 19 RACE 7: MAGIC MILLIONS BENCHMARK 82 HANDICAP 1500m REBEL'S EDGE (5) commemorated his 53rd start with a Wingham Cup win on June 5. That was his fourth run back with Cassandra Stummer and all have been good after a short stint in Queensland. ARTFUL PERSUASION (6) has raced 12 times, eight at Kembla as it happens, most of them good. One of his 'away runs' was in the Four Pillars where he finished 10th of the 20 runners. KNIFE'S EDGE (1) won the Parkes Cup last start. Bet: Rebel's Edge each-way RACE 8: ROBSON CIVIL BENCHMARK 66 HANDICAP 1280m TANGLEWOOD JIMMY (10), a third generation descendant of bonny 1990s' mare Western Chorus, has raced nine times for two wins and two placings. One of those placings was here at Muswellbrook. The wins were over 1450m and a mile but he is one of those horses who could just launch himself late over the top here. A POUND OF SALT (1) was rewarded with a very well-earned and overdue Highway win last start. That's three wins inside his last six starts now. Bet: Tanglewood Jimmy to win, quinella 1, 10, box First 4 Nos. 1, 2, 4, 9, 10 GOULBURN BEST BET Race 1 No. 3: Let's Go Brandon Easy winner of a high quality Maiden here last start. Go well. NEXT BEST Race 3 No. 7: Yvette Resumes. Placed at Canterbury at only two at the first prep. VALUE Race 2 No. 8: Everlasting Stars Won here first-up, fourth in town after that, good last time too. QUADDIE Race 5: 2,5,6 Race 6: 2 Race 7: 3,4,9 Race 8: 4,6,9 JOCKEY TO FOLLOW Four kilo claimer Dale Cole could be in for a big day. MUSWELLBROOK BEST BET Race 6 No. 9: Bellini Spritz Done nothing wrong on all three starts. Loaded with promise. NEXT BEST Race 8 No. 10: Tanglewood Jimmy Could run over the top of these late. Has talent. VALUE Race 1 No. 7: Ghaznavi Winless after 15 starts. deserves one more chance here.
ABC News
19 hours ago
- ABC News
Liam Martin: If Munster's in front of me there'll be no holding back
Round 15 of the NRL might be underway but there's plenty of focus on Origin and the news that Mitch Moses has had to pull out. One man who is probably limbering up to run out next Wednesday in Perth is Liam Martin. The Panthers back rower reckons that despite his old adversary Cam Munster being named as Queensland Captain it won't change their dynamic too much - it'll be business as usual! Michael Carayannis has all the latest NRL news - and speculation in MC's Hammertime. And there's some tipping guidance in Christopher's
