tigersrule4life
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ON Wednesday, Luke Lewis was ready to join the Wests Tigers. On Thursday, he had a change of mind.
And yesterday afternoon, as shadows spread across Toyota Stadium, Lewis risked alienating Penrith supporters by fronting a press conference to confirm he would join the Sharks next season on a four-year deal believed to be worth in the vicinity of $2 million.
It is understood Cronulla officials spoke to their Penrith counterparts before allowing Lewis to face the cameras, but his appearance would nonetheless have caused consternation at the foot of the mountains.
Lewis did his best to assuage any issues by vowing to give his "heart and soul" for Penrith for the rest of this season, while at the same time making no attempt to hide his delight at securing a move to Cronulla next year.
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Yesterday's decision ended a rapid-fire period of negotiation that began less than two weeks ago, when Lewis was given permission to leave the Panthers at the end of the season.
Lewis's manager, Greg Willett, revealed that the NSW and Australia utility player was leaning towards joining the Tigers as late as Wednesday. However, he woke the next day convinced his future was with Cronulla.
Willett relayed the news to the Sharks late on Thursday night before calling a meeting with Tigers officials yesterday morning. Lewis eventually put pen to paper on a deal with the Sharks late yesterday, a move that could have repercussions for the club's New Zealand backrower Jeremy Smith.
While coach Shane Flanagan insisted he wanted to retain Smith, the Kiwi international has been dealing with personal issues and a move to Newcastle is on the cards.
As for Lewis, he has a season to finish with Penrith before his new life begins at Cronulla.
"I am absolutely stoked and over the moon the decision has been made," Lewis said.
"I am so happy to be coming here next year. The players they have got are absolutely outstanding. I am looking forward to playing with a good mate of mine Wado (Wade Graham) and a great leader in Paul Gallen.
"I am glad this weight has been lifted off my shoulders."
Graham and Gallen were alongside Lewis yesterday and there was no hiding the influence they had on his decision.
"They're massive," Lewis said.
"Obviously words can't describe what it's like to run out behind Paul Gallen in (State of) Origin. To run out behind him in club football, it will be outstanding.
"Wade was in my bridal party and has been a close mate for a long time. I can't wait to see his career blossom. I sat down and dwelt on everything for a long time."
Asked what had convinced him Cronulla was the right club, Lewis said: "Definitely the players with Paul and Wade and Toddy (Carney) and the other guys they have here.
"The facilities are outstanding and the lifestyle is unbelievable. I definitely believe they have the players here and the coaching staff here (to win a premiership).
"I really believe Cronulla can do it and I want to be part of that. I would love nothing more than to be part of a club as it wins its first premiership too."
Time will tell whether Smith remains part of the club. Gallen appeared to cast serious doubt on Smith's future at the club when he said having him next year would be an "added bonus".
Flanagan insisted he wanted Smith to stay but admitted he could give no guarantees. "Jeremy has been our best player consistently this year until his injury. I want Jeremy to stay here and I have said that from day one.
"Jeremy is quite happy but he has some issues he is working through.
"I am not confident."
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/nrl/after-deciding-on-the-tigers-nsw-star-luke-lewis-changed-his-mind/story-fnca0von-1226431253641
And yesterday afternoon, as shadows spread across Toyota Stadium, Lewis risked alienating Penrith supporters by fronting a press conference to confirm he would join the Sharks next season on a four-year deal believed to be worth in the vicinity of $2 million.
It is understood Cronulla officials spoke to their Penrith counterparts before allowing Lewis to face the cameras, but his appearance would nonetheless have caused consternation at the foot of the mountains.
Lewis did his best to assuage any issues by vowing to give his "heart and soul" for Penrith for the rest of this season, while at the same time making no attempt to hide his delight at securing a move to Cronulla next year.
\
\
Yesterday's decision ended a rapid-fire period of negotiation that began less than two weeks ago, when Lewis was given permission to leave the Panthers at the end of the season.
Lewis's manager, Greg Willett, revealed that the NSW and Australia utility player was leaning towards joining the Tigers as late as Wednesday. However, he woke the next day convinced his future was with Cronulla.
Willett relayed the news to the Sharks late on Thursday night before calling a meeting with Tigers officials yesterday morning. Lewis eventually put pen to paper on a deal with the Sharks late yesterday, a move that could have repercussions for the club's New Zealand backrower Jeremy Smith.
While coach Shane Flanagan insisted he wanted to retain Smith, the Kiwi international has been dealing with personal issues and a move to Newcastle is on the cards.
As for Lewis, he has a season to finish with Penrith before his new life begins at Cronulla.
"I am absolutely stoked and over the moon the decision has been made," Lewis said.
"I am so happy to be coming here next year. The players they have got are absolutely outstanding. I am looking forward to playing with a good mate of mine Wado (Wade Graham) and a great leader in Paul Gallen.
"I am glad this weight has been lifted off my shoulders."
Graham and Gallen were alongside Lewis yesterday and there was no hiding the influence they had on his decision.
"They're massive," Lewis said.
"Obviously words can't describe what it's like to run out behind Paul Gallen in (State of) Origin. To run out behind him in club football, it will be outstanding.
"Wade was in my bridal party and has been a close mate for a long time. I can't wait to see his career blossom. I sat down and dwelt on everything for a long time."
Asked what had convinced him Cronulla was the right club, Lewis said: "Definitely the players with Paul and Wade and Toddy (Carney) and the other guys they have here.
"The facilities are outstanding and the lifestyle is unbelievable. I definitely believe they have the players here and the coaching staff here (to win a premiership).
"I really believe Cronulla can do it and I want to be part of that. I would love nothing more than to be part of a club as it wins its first premiership too."
Time will tell whether Smith remains part of the club. Gallen appeared to cast serious doubt on Smith's future at the club when he said having him next year would be an "added bonus".
Flanagan insisted he wanted Smith to stay but admitted he could give no guarantees. "Jeremy has been our best player consistently this year until his injury. I want Jeremy to stay here and I have said that from day one.
"Jeremy is quite happy but he has some issues he is working through.
"I am not confident."
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/nrl/after-deciding-on-the-tigers-nsw-star-luke-lewis-changed-his-mind/story-fnca0von-1226431253641
