NRL: Jennings on last chance

Michael Jennings of the Panthers has been given his final warning by the club. Photo / Getty Images

NSW Origin centre Michael Jennings has been told he's on his last chance with Penrith after he was fined and stood down for turning up to training under the influence of alcohol.

Having already been fined A$10,000 earlier this year for breaching club policy by consuming alcohol while injured, Jennings was told in no uncertain terms that one more strike would be his last.

He turned up to the club's final training run at 3:30pm on Thursday showing the effects of alcohol, and was sent home and dumped from the side to play Wests Tigers on Friday night.

A disciplinary hearing also fined him an undisclosed sum, but it was the threat that accompanied the monetary penalty which would no doubt have caused the 23-year-old most angst.

"Obviously he's very disappointed and apologetic for what's gone on, but it can't be tolerated," Penrith general manager Phil Gould told reporters.

"He's been fined an undisclosed amount, he's been stood down from tonight's game and we move on from here.

"But he's pretty much on his last warning."

Jennings refused to speak to the media after his disciplinary hearing.

He will turn out for the Panthers' NSW Cup side against Central Coast at Morrie Breen Oval on Saturday.

His punishment continues a string of strong disciplinary measures taken by new general manager Gould since his arrival at the club in June.

On the same day Jennings was fined back in June, backrower Daine Laurie was sacked for drinking on a team flight.

NRL bad boy Arana Taumata has been stood down indefinitely and also faces the sack after he was charged with stealing a prescription pad.

Panthers officials refused to give away too many details as to the level or manner of Jennings' intoxication, but given training was not until late afternoon, it suggests a rather lengthy drinking session.

His Twitter account also offered clues, with his final entry on Wednesday being the retweet of a promotion for an event at the Heritage Hotel in Penrith, featuring "free entry and drink specials".

The latest indiscretion caps a roller-coaster 2011 campaign for Jennings in which he won NSW selection for the opening game of the State of Origin series, but also one in which he largely struggled for form and fitness.

He was named NSW players' player after scoring a try in the series opener, but that four-pointer was his first of the season.

He has followed that with only one more try for Penrith, leaving him with a grand total of just two tries from 16 games for the Panthers, City Origin and NSW.

So poor was his form earlier this year that some teammates had privately raised concerns over his mental and physical state.

He was due to line up at fullback against the Tigers, partly out of necessity with Lachlan Coote and Michael Gordon both unavailable, but also in a bid to recapture the form of 2010 when he scored 16 tries in 25 games for the Panthers.

- AAP