AFTER 11 years as a Panther, Luke Lewis is today expected to stun rugby league by asking Penrith for a release.
>
The Daily Telegraph understands Lewis's manager will meet Panthers general manager Phil Gould to determine whether the representative star leaves Penrith with two years remaining on his current deal.
>
It is understood Penrith want to shift Lewis, who has now accepted his future lies at a rival NRL club.
>
Parramatta, Canterbury and Wests Tigers have been mooted as possible suitors for the champion forward.
>
Some factions at the Panthers want Lewis to leave immediately, while others believe he should be allowed to see out the season at the club where his career began.
>
Lewis, 28, was contacted last night but preferred not to comment.
>
It's understood that he has told friends he does not want to play at a club where he feels unwanted. Panthers fans will be irate at the news because Lewis is a long-time favourite at Centrebet Stadium who has earned NSW and Australian jumpers.
>
It is understood that Lewis's manager Greg Willett will this week start canvassing rival NRL clubs to determine interest in the NSW State of Origin utility forward.
>
One source close to Lewis said: "He wants to leave on good terms. He has a lot of mates at Penrith and has given his all for the club.
>
"Luke loves the Panthers. The club gave him the opportunity to play NRL and he will never forget that.
>
"The Panthers want to go in another direction and Luke accepts that. I think they want to take on a youth policy.
>
"A new start will reinvigorate Luke. He feels he needs to leave. He is little confused as to why the club doesn't want him."
>
Lewis is a Penrith junior who wanted to play his entire career at the Panthers.
>
The shock decision has been brewing since Penrith coach Ivan Cleary stripped Lewis of the captaincy before the Origin series.
>
But Lewis is telling friends the captaincy issue is not the reason he will leave.
>
On a contract worth about $425,000 a season, Lewis was to be offered the captaincy back again this week but that is now in doubt.
>
His departure would give Penrith additional room to move in their tight salary cap.
>
Lewis is said to be stunned at the false rumours circulating about him, one even suggesting he suffered from depression. The source said: "He is very happy. Luke just doesn't know where all these rumours are coming from."
>
The Kangaroos forward wants the final decision on his future to be made quickly.
>
Lewis was among the first picked for all three Origin games this season. His performance in Origin II at ANZ Stadium was sensational in NSW's 16-12 win.
source:http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/former-penrith-panthers-captain-luke-lewis-wants-a-release-from-the-club/story-e6frfgef-1226420608097