Jarome Luai has confirmed that 2024 will be his final season at the Penrith Panthers, announcing he will join the Wests Tigers on a five-year, $6 million deal at a press conference on Wednesday with the lure of becoming the chief on-field playmaker his main motivation in making the move.
The talented five-eighth’s future has been the topic of much debate for several months, having been absent from training with the Panthers after informing teammates 2024 would be his final season with the club.
“[Leaving the Panthers was] probably the toughest decision of my career and probably life so far,” Luai said.
“It’s definitely gotten a lot more attention than what we would have liked these past few months.
“The purpose of this was to clear everything up and get everything out of the way out of respect and courtesy for the year ahead for my team and my teammates in 2024.”
Speculation was rife at the end of 2023 regarding the move due to the new NRL transfer laws, under which there is a ten day cooling off period to give the player’s former club time to negotiate with all parties and potentially come up with a counter offer they would like.
However, the Panthers, unable to compete with the offer, waived their right to the cooling off period, which enabled Luai to officially accept the Tigers’ deal without a delay. It was a process that surprised the talented star, with interest reportedly coming for several clubs, including the Bulldogs.
“Ever since I’ve come to market there’s been a lot of interest and it’s been a great learning curve,” Luai said.
For Luai, the motivation to head to Concord came out of a desire to further strengthen his capabilities as a marquee player and team leader, and to step out of the shadow of Penrith’s many superstars.
“The obvious reason was it was a great opportunity for me to provide and create for my family, and also to create for myself. People think it would just be (money); but it was getting the keys to the team, that was the other motivation,” he said
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
“I’ve had a great connection with Benji (Marshall), we’ve spoken about the future and what he sees in me and moving forward. I’m really excited about it.
“It is motivating [to lead a team]. I think anyone saying ill about me motivates me. I’ve always had the edge and that chip on my shoulder.”
Luai is untested at NRL level as a week-in, week-out organising half, a point made clear by Penrith coach Ivan Cleary as the Panthers fought to keep him.
But Nathan Cleary’s long-term lieutenant said he had become hungry for more responsibility since serving as a game-manager during Samoa’s charge to the World Cup final in 2022.
“Ever since then, I’ve longed for that,” he said.
“Being my own guy, writing my own story, was another big part of (the move). I can’t wait.”
Luai will reunite with a few of his former Panthers’ teammates Api Koroisau, Brent Naden, and Charlie Staines at the Tigers, as the club goes about turning around fortunes. After a decade of poor performances, change is afoot with a new coach in Marshall, and a much-publicised board clean out late last year, a move generally celebrated by fans.
The move is a much needed grab for Marshall, with the playing group in desperate need of a strong playmaker.
Luai’s halves partner for 2025 is yet to be determined with veteran Aidan Sezer and young guns Jayden Sullivan and Latu Fainu likely to jostle at the selection table.
“We are super excited to announce the signing of Jarome for the 2025 season on a five-year deal,” said Marshall in a press statement.
“We love the way Jarome plays his footy and even better, he is a great person.
“We very much look forward to welcoming Jarome and his family to our club in 2025, but right now, season 2024 is our focus.”
Martin Luai, Jarome’s father, also spoke at the conference, and admitted he was excited for what lay ahead for his son at Wests.
“He’s always been a born leader and he’s reality excited about the opportunity to lead a team and I think it’s up to him to prove it to all those doubters”.
with AAP
Panthers
Roar Rookie
I agree that it would be foolish for the Tigers to release him. There are many valid reasons why a player can still seek a release though. Opportunity is the main one.
Greg
Roar Pro
It's not a matter of Galvin looking elsewhere. I would not blame him at all if he did. It is a matter of will Tigers release him? There isn't a concern about fitting him in at the moment. He is already contracted, thus already has been fit in. This may change by his next contract and this may be when the can't keep them all principle comes into play. There are so many possibilities between now and then that it would be foolish for the club to grant an early release before Galvin is even 1st grade ready.
Panthers
Roar Rookie
Not sure? I think Schneider is just seen as a stop gap player. Hope to be proven ‘Wrong’ , by any Panthers players playing above my expectations.
Panthers
Roar Rookie
With the most expensive halfback around for 2025, at $1.2 million per year. Then $500,000 for Fainu ( to start with ), for 4 years. Add $550,000 a season for Sullivan , for 4 years. West’s simply won’t have the room for Galvin. Given he’s been overlooked for the future at this point, for 3 imports . Not sure he’d be feeling the love at the Tigers. Why wouldn’t he look elsewhere? I heard this often in the last few years, ‘You can’t keep them all’.
Albo
Roar Rookie
I think Schneider might turn out to be a good replacement at 6. He is a big body for a half and has a kicking game. Handling the left edge will be key. Time will tell, but I fancy him starting before Laurie.
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
i thought Nathans off to RahRah
Greg
Roar Pro
Galvin is 18, never played against men and built like a broom handle. He isn't playing first grade anytime soon. Who knows if his pathway will be blocked by the time he is first grade ready? If the club see his future in the halves they will create a pathway for him. Alternatively they may believe he will full out and be more suited to another position. Again they will create a pathway for him. It is just up to the club to pitch this pathway and have him buy into into it. It's a conversation for him, his management and the club. After all this I could understand Galvin may want to agitate for a release if he doesnt like Wests plan for him moving forward. But why would Wests want to release him? They have 2 more years to convince him that his future is with the club.
E-Meter
Roar Rookie
Cleary could give him a year as a back up 9 in the front line defence. Work that shoulder over.
Robbo
Roar Rookie
Yes - I noticed that. Not suggesting g every player does it - but it's not a bad time to have an existing ongoing issue get worse
Robbo
Roar Rookie
Yes but its nice when you aren't playing for your next contract. Longevity is all part of the professional sportsman who looks to the future. I've noticed such things in the past. Suggest that it has also been a reason why some players get released to take up an early start to their next contract. We shall see how it unfolds with those 2 - its all part of the fun.
Redcap
Roar Guru
It didn't seem to affect either Leniu or Crichton in 2023 - in fact, Crichton had surely his best season having agreed to join Canterbury just before the start of the '23 season.
Hoy
Roar Guru
Whilst I disagree with the 12 month out contracts, I can't see any professional footballer signing a contract, then sitting back and protecting themselves for 12 months... it would do nothing for their reputation if they deliberately went less than hard out each week, and it isn't like they aren't getting paid this year.
Robbo
Roar Rookie
Yep - let's see if they put their bodies on the line this year or suffer 'niggles'. I won't be having either in my Supercoach
Panthers
Roar Rookie
Not a Panthers hater, when they are going to your team then.
Panthers
Roar Rookie
As West’s want Luai for next season. Galvin is going nowhere in the West’s line up now. As his path is blocked. Take note of the reports that Manly are now taking an interest in getting Galvin from West’s.
Greg
Roar Pro
Why would the other club go for this? Galvin is signed til 26 Luai is signed from 25 without trading Galvin away. What do Tigers have to gain by releasing Galvin?
Panthers
Roar Rookie
Sliding door moments. Good move by a Penrith official to get Ivan Cleary back at Penrith. Even though I’m pretty sure that Nathan Cleary signed a new deal at Penrith, when Ivan Cleary was at West’s?
Panthers
Roar Rookie
Though they need to replace Luai with someone better than Schneider . Even if it’s poaching young halves from other clubs. After all the halves bought from Penrith.
Panthers
Roar Rookie
True. I’m most disappointed that Penrith don’t take advantage of the position they are pushed into by the big money buys from the club. They then do have the money to spend on young players & should have made the move to immediately to gain Galvin from West’s on a transfer swap deal. Same thing they should do each time a more expensive player is forced out .
andrew
Roar Rookie
Next millennium.