GNR4LIFE
Well-known member
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.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/former-penrith-panthers-captain-luke-lewis-wants-a-release-from-the-club/story-e6frexqi-1226420608097
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.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/former-penrith-panthers-captain-luke-lewis-wants-a-release-from-the-club/story-e6frexqi-1226420608097
