Latest news with #WestRyde
Daily Mail
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
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. View this post on Instagram A post shared by 22 Civil (@22civil_) 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 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. 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.
News.com.au
08-05-2025
- Automotive
- News.com.au
Heart-stopping moment unconscious driver rolls through a busy Sydney intersection
The heart stopping moment a car with an unconscious driver at the helm rolled through a busy intersection in Sydney's northwest, before an onlooker gave chase, has been captured on dashcam. A driver on his way to work captured the moment a woman jumped out of her car and ran to assist the driver of a white Honda Civic, who was suffering from a medical emergency on Victoria Rd in West Ryde. The Civic could be seen slowly rolling through the Victoria Rd and Hermitage Rd intersection, before a woman in trackpants and a sweater gave chase. She managed to wrench open the door of the moving car and bring it to a stop, while waving to onlookers for assistance. Other passers-by made their way over to the vehicle in the intersection to help, while the heroic woman ran back to her own car she had abandoned in the middle of the road, clutching her chest and breathing heavily. The driver was removed from the car by a cyclist, who began immediately administering CPR. Emergency services were quickly on the scene and provided further treatment. The man was transported to hospital, but his condition is currently unknown. The user who posted the video to Instagram said the woman was a 'local hero'. 'On my way to work this morning, I came across this Civic blocking the road. Just as I was about to steer around it, this lady jumped out of her car in the middle of traffic and started chasing after the vehicle in front,' they wrote. 'At first, I thought it was a hit and run situation, but it turns out she was trying to help an unconscious driver. 'I've got so many questions and wish the best for the driver, but one thing's clear: she stepped in when it mattered most and, thanks to her quick thinking, may have just saved a life. 'Whoever you are, hats off to you, local hero and thank you.'
