OFFICIAL Jarome Luai - #295

[GNR4LIFE]

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Well, at least he has self awareness.

 

[GCfan]

Yep. Nothing better than having your captain floating around for 18 months as an example of how you can use this club to build your brand and move on.

I am sure he will be able to use his history with the club, the pride in the jersey and his ongoing commitment to inspire the playing group.

He is now a lame duck. Hope the fans give it to him

I think his brand was built at the Panthers, not here.

 

[mtd#2]

It was Richo who setup this contract

So you keep saying. Should we then ignore that it was also Richo who had Luai ready to remove the clauses?

But lets focus on whats in the public domain...

Jarome and Richo both had clauses in their contract for a reason. That reason reared its fat ugly head in December 2025. They have both proven how astute they were to build these clauses into their contracts when signing on to work for a mob run by the asylum.

Whilst we are on the asylum, we still havent heard from anyone as to why they sacked and then reinstated the directors. Strong leaders get on the front foot - like Benji and Jarome today. Others hide in the shadows.

 

[Tiger_Pete]

It was Richo who setup this contract

I'm fine with the contract. I think Richo did a great job to get Luai to the club at all.

I'm also fine with Luai leaving. I'm just hoping this doesn't derail our momentum.

 

[tig_prmz]

The players need to do their talking on the field … if they win games that will be the best way to shut them up

Winning games has too many variables.

We could literally lose a couple more games, morale goes down and then we lose a few more.

Hopefully, the basics that Benji has instilled in them stay so we remain competitive in each game.

 

[Pablo]

Pretty excited to change my death riding team from the dogs in 2028, a new chapter of hate in my life to look forward to. Chammas is a smug little prick and would be loving this little victory over the tigers

 

[Telltails]

I very much doubt Jarome will be thinking about PNG while hes still with us its not his go

Id like to think so Ink but I think they will be in constant contact with him

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

The png government funding is locked in for 10 years after that the federal government at the time could elect to reverse the png chiefs funding.

 

[Tom Shines]

Winning games has too many variables.

We could literally lose a couple more games, morale goes down and then we lose a few more.

Hopefully, the basics that Benji has instilled in them stay so we remain competitive in each game.

They are a better team, seemingly more mentally resilient … coulda been 7-0 with a bit better attacking play …

I doubt they fall apart over this… although other things could happen as we all know ..

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

Willie Peters is Tyrone May’s coach ???? Of course they are on his hit list. Where’s our CEO’s re-signings?

if they sign Tyrone we should be worried re terrell and taylan

 

[moetk]

What he saw was staged...of course they didn't show him the "real life" of PNG...

What exactly is the real life of PNG? Majority of the people are subsistence farmers going about their lives. Port Moresby is a shit hole but doesn't represent the whole of PNG. Travel to the outter Islands and its just like any pacific island country.

 

[TheEnz]

Worse case scenario is we might lose a couple of more players we wanted to keep to the PNG team.
Benji is not stupid, he has total control of our recruitment and retention and I’m sure he will be speaking with all our key players who are off contract at the end of 2027 to ask if they are thinking of leaving g for PNG or elsewhere and get an idea of how much it will cost to keep them with us.
As an example there are plenty of quality backs with PNG heritage, so I don’t think players such as Taylan May will be high on their target list and if they don’t want him it could and hopefully will mean that Terrell May is not interested.
I reckon Chammas, Willie Peters and Jerome would love to have all 3 Fainu brothers, but you would hope Jerome does the honourable thing and realises how important they are to our Wests Tigers future.
Turuva and Pole are the only others they will possibly be looking at and we will need to make them both very good offers to hopefully stay with us.

The reality is PNG need to build a roster of 30 players that can be competitive in the NRL. Whilst they were forced to pay Luai at least $1.2m as he was still contracted and that's his minimum value, they will not have to do the same for players that are out of contract. Its likely in order to build a roster they will have to pay them a bit less than what they could earn here and the tax free element makes it somewhat more attractive, so the reality is not going to be the big payday that Jerome is getting, nor will they be able to fit all the best players available in their salary cap. They will also look to use PNG players in certain positions where possible and again, they have to pay them a minimum NRL contract...assuming the RLPA and collective bargaining agreement covers them as well. Luai was smart to jump now and be the face of the Chiefs and cash in, its still the same percentage they spend on him of their cap as we do.

 

[Flippedy]

Its been going on for decades.
I was 17 when Wests lost half their team to Manly and Newtown...that was gut wrenching...three of my favourites bailed along with another three
But you get past it... you dont forget but you get past it.
I paid my respects at Tommys service at the SCG a few years back.
Its part of the scene and has been for 50 years

Yeah I remember all that too. Losing Dorahy hit me the hardest. Been happening for years but it happens to most teams. I remember Wests pinching Langmack, Farrar, Gillespie and Thomas from the Dogs in one season also.

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

if they sign Tyrone we should be worried re terrell and taylan

if they dont sign terrell and taylan then great weekend have 1.2 million to spend

 

[Wiz]

Good pick. Was shocked to see the Chinese influence in Tonga, basically they bought out /own all the retail outlets and locals cant get a look in. Not sure if they enjoy RL or union, maybe badminton....

I’ve seen the same thing in Vanuatu. I couldn’t believe the presence and influence.

 

[Tigerwould]

The png government funding is locked in for 10 years after that the federal government at the time could elect to reverse the png chiefs funding.

with clauses. if the door opens to China. No more NRL.

 

[colinbh]

I think his brand was built at the Panthers, not here.

His influence has taken us from cellar dwellers to top 4. Show some respect.

 

[old_man_tiger]

It's a clean exit, he is leaving saying "I love this place", all done within a week in terms of public knowledge.

I agree with his assertion that it is nothing like Galvin, nor is it like the many high profile exits prior.

I think the PNG team obviously has a big advantage....BUT wait until the first young single player has a crack at an older guy's wife, or the first security incident....i see it as very high risk, high reward.

 

[Tiger_Yoshi]

I don’t think he is dumb mate ..or his agent

I never said he was dumb...mate....Do you think they showed him the real PNG?.of course not, red carpet all the way........When someone visits Sydney for the first time, they are shown the Harbour, Opera House, Blue Mountains and the best restaurants....and they say wow what a lovely city, I could live here....They are not shown a typical suburb and way of life..

 

[innsaneink]

Id like to think so Ink but I think they will be in constant contact with him

That would be highly unproffesional of Willie Peters and whoever the Footy GM is.
Id like to think theyd be respectful of us as we were when he was still at Penrith but signed on for us in late 23?
I reckon Riccios little " he can pick his own team" line was a bit of journalistic licence