OFFICIAL Jarome Luai - #295

[Flippedy]

And how would Riccio know that?

Probably stalking so he can get the ‘scoop’

 

[Halbrowne61]

Sezer is an organising half, just saying.

True, but been out of the NRL for a while, and older now. And he is nowhere near a Cleary or Reynolds.
Hey, if it all goes ahead then I’ll say my prayers and hope for the best. I just don’t think we should look at Luai as a miracle cure.

 

[Tiger_Fanatic3]

The Wests Tigers are poised to launch a club-defining bid for Penrith premiership-winner Jarome Luai which is expected to soar north of $4 million.

The major development has emerged amid increasing suggestions from the NRL that Luai has told his closest teammates that he is leaning towards leaving the Panthers at the end of 2024.

Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall has taken a personal interest in the chase for Luai and it is understood he has the support of the club’s board to go all-in for the Panthers star.

However, it is anticipated that Marshall will face stiff competition from the Bulldogs, who have a long list of connections to Luai through head coach Cameron Ciraldo, marquee-signing Stephen Crichton, backrower Viliame Kikau, NSW Origin talent Matt Burton and fresh recruit Jaemon Salmon.

Yet it is the Tigers that have got the edge after Marshall held a recent meeting with the three-time premiership-winner at his home in the inner-west of Sydney.

At the heart of the negotiations is Marshall’s preparedness to offer Luai the opportunity to be the chief playmaker, regardless of whether he plays in the six or seven jersey.

It is a position that many within the game believe Luai has craved, having spent his first grade career in the shadow of champion Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary.

Money is also a factor. It is understood the Wests Tigers are prepared to offer a deal worth close to $1.1 million per-season for Luai, who turns 27 in January.

Marshall will need full board approval to table the offer given the enormity of the contract. However, it is understood that is a mere formality.

An offer in excess of $1 million would blow Penrith out of the water - the Panthers have already indicated to Luai that they can only offer him a maximum of $850,000 per season.

The Tigers have signed veteran half Aidan Sezer for 2024 only, but have invested heavily in recruiting Dragons half Jayden Sullivan and also former Manly rising star Latu Fainu.

The Wests Tigers also have high hopes for teenager Lachlan Galvin, who was a star at this year’s Australian Schoolboys carnival.

Luai, who has played seven matches for NSW and 11 appearances for Samoa, is also seen as a mentor to the likes of Sullivan, Faini and Galvin.

The Wests Tigers are also leaning on their connection to Luai through former Penrith teammates Api Koroisau, Brent Naden and Charlie Staines.

 

[earl]

I'm not getting worked up about getting Luai. If we get him great but he'll cost huge dollars and that is risky.

I hate these articles that come out though. It turns it into a circus.

 

[WestsEffTheRest]

I'm not getting worked up about getting Luai. If we get him great but he'll cost huge dollars and that is risky.

I hate these articles that come out though. It turns it into a circus.

All the other top halves are currently tied down long term. Luai is a 3x premiership winning half if we have to pay overs then so be it. I think Wests problem at the moment is actually trying to spend our cap.

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

I'm not getting worked up about getting Luai. If we get him great but he'll cost huge dollars and that is risky.

I hate these articles that come out though. It turns it into a circus.

better player than Moses, well worth the dollars
hope we get him

 

[Blaze]

Hell, we were reportedly paying that for an unproven brooks for years… why the hell not? It’s only money. And not mine… bring him here.

 

[Needaname]

I'm not getting worked up about getting Luai. If we get him great but he'll cost huge dollars and that is risky.

I hate these articles that come out though. It turns it into a circus.

Speaking of, has anyone heard of what happened to the Dragons Offical Offer to Manu? Someone mentioned he has to either accept or decline it as it is holding up the Dragon’s ability to use that funding on a different player.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Speaking of, has anyone heard of what happened to the Dragons Offical Offer to Manu? Someone mentioned he has to either accept or decline it as it is holding up the Dragon’s ability to use that funding on a different player.

I think they turned their attention to AFB and Deardon.

 

[Halbrowne61]

Maybe not, but he wouldn’t be in that system if he couldn’t play.

Something that I’m sure has been considered but not mentioned is not just Api’s relationship with Luai but perhaps Api’s game style suited Luai more. A heap more ball went left in recent years to 23: granted some of that might be due to no Kikau but it also could come down to how Luai likes to receive the ball from dummy half.

Good point N

 

[Tiger_Fanatic3]

3x Premierships, Origin Rep and leading Samoa to a RLWC final is a safe resume.
He has nothing left to prove at Penrith. Take the money, support your family.
If he somehow manages to get the Tigers into the finals, he'd be the all-time GOAT (definitely not biased)
I see all the "experts" saying stay with a proven outfit, unlikely win a premiership elsewhere blah blah. What more does this guy have to achieve lol ? I'd 100% be taking the money at this point.

 

[TieDye]

3x Premierships, Origin Rep and leading Samoa to a RLWC final is a safe resume.
He has nothing left to prove at Penrith. Take the money, support your family.
If he somehow manages to get the Tigers into the finals, he'd be the all-time GOAT (definitely not biased)
I see all the "experts" saying stay with a proven outfit, unlikely win a premiership elsewhere blah blah. What more does this guy have to achieve lol ? I'd 100% be taking the money at this point.

Couple years for a genuine crack with us.

 

[AdelaideTiger]

Olam just doesn't excite me.
Not even really for this year, even if he's the best version of himself I don't know that he really moves the needle for us.
We lacked creation and danger out wide last year, Olam really doesn't offer that.
I don't know that he's cooked per say, he just don't offer heaps ball in hand apart from running straight and hard.

 

[Odessa]

Was told today that Spencer Leniu had agreed to join the dogs from 2024 and at the last minute uncle Nick came in with a massive offer to get him to the Roosters and because of that the dogs have alot of free cash available and have made a very good offer to Luai and is a good chance to go there also Kikau is a good chance to be traded to Warriors for Fonua Blake

 

[Leck]

Was told today that Spencer Leniu had agreed to join the dogs from 2024 and at the last minute uncle Nick came in with a massive offer to get him to the Roosters and because of that the dogs have alot of free cash available and have made a very good offer to Luai and is a good chance to go there also Kikau is a good chance to be traded to Warriors for Fonua Blake

Generally I wouldn’t be surprised, we’re usually the brides made. But in this case the Benji, Api and Luai connection is legit.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Generally I wouldn’t be surprised, we’re usually the brides made. But in this case the Benji, Api and Luai connection is legit.

His Dogs connections are just as strong.

 

[Leck]

His Dogs connections are just as strong.

I guess we’ll see.

 

[balmain boy]

Was told today that Spencer Leniu had agreed to join the dogs from 2024 and at the last minute uncle Nick came in with a massive offer to get him to the Roosters and because of that the dogs have alot of free cash available and have made a very good offer to Luai and is a good chance to go there also Kikau is a good chance to be traded to Warriors for Fonua Blake

They've also signed 8 players since then...

We had cash for Moses, and signed Sullivan, Seze and Fainu. Do we still have a million left in our kitty?

 

[Telltails]

Bulldogs must be a massive chance if they have a serious offer. Gould has a way of getting what he wants. A real test for Benji - could be a defining moment but it's hard to believe.

 

[Bigscreentv]

Bulldogs must be a massive chance if they have a serious offer. Gould has a way of getting what he wants. A real test for Benji - could be a defining moment but it's hard to believe.

How the bulldogs could sign Luai with the players they signed is beyond me. Not for the money he’d want.