OFFICIAL Jarome Luai - #295

[GNR4LIFE]

No one is arguing against his achievements. No one. I and others said he could thank Cleary for his status and I am yet to see a compelling argument against that.
It’s such a banal point to make. Do you not understand the conversation being had?
We are debating WHAT HE HAS DONE AT THIS CLUB.

I’d like to see him play under an accomplished coach here.

 

[Tucker]

I’d like to see him play under an accomplished coach here.

Well yes that would be a good start.

 

[innsaneink]

I do see positives in his game, and it’s disappointing that we haven’t seen them this year. My strong suspicion is that he’s missing Cleary’s controlling influence and finding the responsibility a bit overwhelming right now...but saying that usually invites a pile-on, so I tend to keep that opinion to myself.

I haven’t given up on him, though I’ll be honest, I’ve never really liked his style. To me he’s always been a bit of a showpony and a serial agitating smartarse....not my kind of player. That said, he’s played in a lot of big games now: a World Cup final series, 5 NRL grand finals, and five finals campaigns. Not many halves in the comp can boast that résumé. Surely he’s learned something from those experiences and it’s time we started seeing it.

I don’t really buy into all the talk about “creating cultures.” The family-club stuff is nice enough, but I’d rather win footy games with a pack of ruthless competitors than a group who just talk about how close they are. What frustrates me most is that he refused to delete his contract clauses...real leadership would have been doing that when the Galvin situation blew up. We need a hard-nosed leader, and so far he hasn’t supplied that.

Hopefully he can have some honest conversations over the break and come back in 2026 refreshed, focused, and ready to rip in. There’s still a good player there, we just need to see the mature version step up.

This point I disagree with...I believe its very important to have a great culture
For far too long weve been a bit lost as to our identity and what we stand for...moreso
helping to be our own club not a JV anymore, cut the balmain and magpie apron strings
Its something quite intangible but ive seen it at times at other clubs and is something I really believe weve lacked....its quite hard to put a finger on just what it is but this culture term that gets thrown around I guess sums it up...its everyone buying in, being proud etc etc
Really difficult personally to feel that in the past when weve had such imcompetence in charge...but when things are looking up and theres signs of improvement it can be infectious...I think its important everyone right throughout the organisation from CEO to kid members have this attitude

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Well yes that would be a good start.

With Bula, Luai and Api in the spine, our structures most of the time was appalling. That’s on the coaching.

 

[Tucker]

With Bula, Luai and Api in the spine, our structures most of the time was appalling. That’s on the coaching.

2 of those guys are our captains.
They need to put their big boy pants on and speak up.

 

[Tucker]

This point I disagree with...I believe its very important to have a great culture
For far too long weve been a bit lost as to our identity and what we stand for...moreso
helping to be our own club not a JV anymore, cut the balmain and magpie apron strings
Its something quite intangible but ive seen it at times at other clubs and is something I really believe weve lacked....its quite hard to put a finger on just what it is but this culture term that gets thrown around I guess sums it up...its everyone buying in, being proud etc etc
Really difficult personally to feel that in the past when weve had such imcompetence in charge...but when things are looking up and theres signs of improvement it can be infectious...I think its important everyone right throughout the organisation from CEO to kid members have this attitude

It’s important to have a good culture. No one likes working in a toxic environment.
That said, for mine it shouldn’t be the only focus unless it is working hand in hand with strategic playing goals. For example “the dogs of war” that Canterbury once built.
Is the culture being built here going to have similar outcomes? Arguably, this culture has helped expedite the departure of some good young talent, so I remain sceptical.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

2 of those guys are our captains.
They need to put their big boy pants on and speak up.

I think they are too comfortable with Benji. He’s their mate first, coach second.

 

[Tucker]

I think they are too comfortable with Benji. He’s their mate first, coach second.

If the three of them had an honesty session, and spent a few hours not praising each other and actually performing a proper debriefing and lessons learned from their time together, we may get somewhere.

 

[Wezt]

 

[twentyforty]

That’s one wet lettuce you have there.

I like to get their opinion too, particularly given their game experience, but occasionally I will have an opinion of my own 😂 and I don’t see anything wrong with that. I’m also mindful that these commentators have redirected their loyalty to promoting the NRL and with that, they look for club heroes to get their undies on the outside while simultaneously boosting their share price and giving fans a warm fuzzy.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

I like to get their opinion too, particularly given their game experience, but occasionally I will have an opinion of my own 😂 and I don’t see anything wrong with that. I’m also mindful that these commentators have redirected their loyalty to promoting the NRL and with that, they look for club heroes to get their undies on the outside while simultaneously boosting their share price and giving fans a warm fuzzy.

I wouldn’t know. I watch no pre-game and most games on mute.

 

[clontarfkid]

I reckon Luai is master of his own destiny ..if he delivers on field to his price tag next season,we will go up tha ladder and maybe compete for the 8.We need to provide sufficient support,which we are doing..almost
If we don't,improve,probably better paths for both of us at his $$ going forward

 

[Canberratiger]

Api was also very quiet in his first year, and the talk was that the team had to learn to play with him. I am hoping it is the same with Luai

 

[Red88_Tiger]

I think by the end of next year we will see whether he is a genuine top tier half.
He’s had a year of learning benji ball and gelling with teammates.
He’s definitely shown leadership more so off the field so definitely hitting that kpi
I’m a realist that he couldn’t come and be like Moses who has been at parra for years and systems would of been developed around him and even if ryles changed them the nature of football still returns during games.
So round 26 next year is his marker imo

 

[orange&black]

I think by the end of next year we will see whether he is a genuine top tier half.
He’s had a year of learning benji ball and gelling with teammates.
He’s definitely shown leadership more so off the field so definitely hitting that kpi
I’m a realist that he couldn’t come and be like Moses who has been at parra for years and systems would of been developed around him and even if ryles changed them the nature of football still returns during games.
So round 26 next year is his marker imo

I seem to remember there was a period early in Moses time at the eels that it wasn’t working at all and they were looking at getting rid of him.
The difference in Luai at the Panthers and Luai at the Tigers, besides the pressure of having to be the main man on the big money, is exactly the difference between what and how the Panthers performed as a club and group, and how the Tigers have since his arrival. Hard to soar like an eagle when you’re surrounded by pidgeons!

 

[Tom Shines]

View attachment 28894

I’ll say this with lots of confidence…. It wasn’t his fault the Blues lost the series this year …

 

[Tiger Stripes]

I agree with you in some measure, its far easier to comment on a past event than it is to predict a future event. However, for those deeply involved in the game there’s not a lot of difference between making predictions and doing things which contribute to that outcome.

We predicted Brooks would be hopeless and offered him only $450k. He got $650k at Manly and we found he gave them a great season. It was so good that we congratulated him for playing finals footy.

We also predicted that if we paid three times the amount for the Penrith 6 and play him as a 7 we would be far better off. Just saying. If Brooks was handled better we probably would be just as well off.

We need a top-notch half. Just can't jag one. Madden was the best available, I guess.
AD made a go of it until injured. Had the smarts and a long kicking game.
Fingers crossed how it works out in the off season, but specialist halves are hard to find AND even harder to manufacture.
We keep getting 5/8's and try to turn them into halves. Not quite the same.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

We need a top-notch half. Just can't jag one. Madden was the best available, I guess.
AD made a go of it until injured. Had the smarts and a long kicking game.
Fingers crossed how it works out in the off season, but specialist halves are hard to find AND even harder to manufacture.
We keep getting 5/8's and try to turn them into halves. Not quite the same.

What do you mean we can’t jag one? Luai is one. And Fainu is a very good prospect if he can ever stay fit. Halves aren’t positions that you go out and spend huge money on every year. You pick and stick, and we’ve picked. Unfortunately with our powder puff forward pack, and weak coaching, the halves can’t be miracle workers.

 

[Tiger Stripes]

With Bula, Luai and Api in the spine, our structures most of the time was appalling. That’s on the coaching.

Who's the half or 5/8 in your spine. Someone missing there, hence a problem.
Must be the coach's fault the troops failed?

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Who's the half or 5/8 in your spine. Someone missing there, hence a problem.
Must be the coach's fault the troops failed?

I think you’re the one missing something.

6. Luai
7. Fainu

And even if you were on to something, not having a proper 7 would fall on to the coach.