OFFICIAL Jarome Luai - #295

[Spacecub]

The money we save in the halves allows us to get an elite fullback

Really would have liked the bula situation sorted, I kinda think Drinkwater would have preferred our 900k instead of st George's 900k

 

[69-05-41]

LOL @ WT's:
HBG sack and scare off competent independent directors and CEO's;
Gus seduces our juniors and out of contract players with love whispers and warm apple pie;
Albo gives our marquee player some random tax exemption to leave;
certain "journalists" and player managers invent new ways to sabotage our season; then
Klown, Annusley & friends penalise, bin and suspend whatever is left.

... and the best bit is we keep coming back for more of this 💩

 

[weststigers]

That is almost so true the Prime Minister will buy them a jet paint it on the outside The PNG Chiefs with the players faces on it ....Will be fully equipped with recovery rehab area private rooms with bunks for sleeping entertainment area the works and a coaching meeting room to run over tape

With Australian tax payer money

 

[bigsiro]

The most deflating thing about the Luai exit is that it just confirms what we already suspected: it’s all about $$$. The club, the jersey, the fans — none of it really matters in the end. We’re just pawns paying our money while others treat the jersey like a temporary work uniform. True, but depressing.

Indeed.
And yet at the same time clubs get vilified if they don’t reward supposed loyalty.
It’s a two way street this business.

 

[Lestronge]

I really like what I saw from the Tigers this year, when we played without Luai.

Jock has returned and has shown to be a really balanced footballer that strengthens our team.

I'm a big fan of what the Fainu bros bring to the squad. Latu looks like a fantastic talent. We need to find a place for him in the team.

Then we've got the kid, Javon Andrews, who could be anything.

These guys are all much younger than Luai and have a higher ceiling.

Man Latu by half way through next year , the chatter will be should we bench luai. People are saying it already … granted out of spite . But still .. when he went back on the weekend he was a man amongst boys . Clearly a level above .

 

[Lestronge]

it is April 2026, no clause should allow for 2028 contracts to be made let alone announced in April 2 years prior

Who cares man … why are people so butt hurt ?

 

[Telltails]

Now its out shouldn't the club - WTs - be making a statement?

 

[innsaneink]

It’s a different team mate . Nearly to a man they’ve all said they’re here for Benji . So … May is in negotiations right now . The Fainus have said they’re planning to be tigers for life . I dunno man . I genuinely think the team will be filled with 31 plus year olds and young PNG kids .

You talking about us or PNG?

 

[innsaneink]

Now its out shouldn't the club - WTs - be making a statement?

Tomorrow...Luai Presser...dont know what time

 

[TYGA]

For all the panic merchants players off contract 2027. We have good players but nowhere near the pick of the group. I see no reason we cant retain who we want to keep.

Deine Mariner. Brendan Piakoura, Xavier Willison, Jordan Riki, Hudson Young , Matt Burton, Jacob Preston, Bronson Xerri, Herbie Farnworth, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, Xavier Coates, Cameron Munster, Stefano Utoikamanu, Jackson Ford, Bradman Best, Jermaine McEwen, Dylan Lucas, Jeremiah Nanai, Jason Taumalolo, Paul Alamoti, Nathan Cleary, Mitch Kenny, Moses Leota, Liam Martin, Isaiah Papali'i,Blaize Talagi, Brian To'o, Isaah Yeo, Tallis Duncan, David Fifita, Campbell Graham, Latrell Mitchell, Jack Wighton, Spencer Leniu, James Tedesco, Victor Radley.

 

[Demps]

Looking off what's available;
How's this for a potential chiefs team?

1. Chevy Stewart
2. Brian To'o
3. Isaac Tago
4. Zac Laybutt
5. Alex Johnston
6. Jarome Luai
7. Jett Cleary
8. Jackson Ford
9. Mitchell Kenny
10. Junior Paulo
11. Liam Martin
12. Jermaine McCewan
13. Connor Watson

14. Trent Toelau
15. Luron Patea
16. Lazarus Vaalepu
17. Cooper Bai

 

[Lestronge]

Can I just say, Luai didn’t make the decision to sign with PNG over night. Obviously it is one he has been deliberating for a while. Whilst timing isn’t great, it’s a call be needed to make by the cut-off which he can’t control.

Otherwise, if he is contracted for next year, he couldn’t sign with them til November which might have compromised his deal.

Props to Luai for making this such a quick and easy process as opposed to dragging it out.

It will be interesting to see the press conference tomorrow. I think WT might have contributed to his departure and given their encouragement. Perhaps some re-signings are dependent on cap space and Luai leaving?

Wouldn’t surprise me if a mass re-signing of either the May’s or Fainu’s is announced in the near future.

I agree mate . I actually think based on the the narratives on here , that there would be board members questioning his long term value prior to this announcement .
The debate around madden ima most certain would have been a contributing factor . Ie. How well we played without him. I genuinely belive if we were coming last Luai wouldn’t have made the decision just yet .

 

[Lestronge]

Looking off what's available;
How's this for a potential chiefs team?

1. Chevy Stewart
2. Brian To'o
3. Isaac Tago
4. Zac Laybutt
5. Alex Johnston
6. Jarome Luai
7. Jett Cleary
8. Jackson Ford
9. Mitchell Kenny
10. Junior Paulo
11. Liam Martin
12. Jermaine McCewan
13. Connor Watson

14. Trent Toelau
15. Luron Patea
16. Lazarus Vaalepu
17. Cooper Bai

I think that’s a very realistic team

 

[mtd#2]

I think that assumption might be wrong ..

What do you think his position would be?

 

[Lestronge]

You talking about us or PNG?

Us mate .

 

[Demps]

I think that’s a very realistic team

It's decent without being amazing.
Looks like a regular NRL team tbf

 

[EllisFan]

Now its out shouldn't the club - WTs - be making a statement?

Press conference tomorrow apparently

 

[Gazman]

I don’t mind this we are mid away through the benefit of his signing and we are developing our youth

 

[Tom Shines]

What do you think his position would be?

Not sure ..but he won’t be giving his “blessing “ if those guys leave

 

[bigsiro]

I agree with the sentiments of many on here that it does diminish the value of a lot of the “my team” rhetoric that Luai had been stating since he got here. It is a little disappointing that the playing group may not quite be as close as advertised.

However, from a purely team list perspective, I genuinely think this is the ideal situation. When we signed Luai we had to pay a premium to get him, 5 years at 1.2 million is well over his on field production. What we needed was a circuit breaker, a culture changer, something to get us moving in the right direction. In that regard he has been perfect and we only had to pay him the premium price for 3 years. His last two years were always going to be massive overpays in my opinion.

This could play out perfectly. It really is now up to HBG and Mielekamp to prove they are the leaders they demanded to be. I believe we have a great coach, a strong core and a huge amount of young talent. Need to lock them down and make sure they see the direction that Luai helped start.

I personally am optimistic this could turn out as a net positive.

Not sure we know about the closeness of the playing group, but I wholeheartedly agree with the rest. Terrific post.