The Jarome Luai sweepstakes is finally over with the SMH reporting the Panthers playmaker has signed a five-year deal with the Wests Tigers worth more than $6 million.
Luai had been linked to the Tigers for the past couple of months, with last season’s wooden spooners able to offer the premiership winning five-eighth considerably more money than the Panthers were able to and willing to pay.
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While it appears Luai is heading to the Tigers, new rules around free agent signings implemented in the most recent CBA allow the Panthers to have a 10-day window to convince Luai to stay put in Penrith.
Under the new structure, offers for players must be lodged with the NRL and if accepted their current club has a chance to change the player’s mind.
The reports of Luai’s signing will be welcome news to Tigers fans, who have endured a torrid run of late, including two straight wooden spoons.
Coupled with the club’s shock decision to sack the entire board, including chairman Lee Hagipantelis and CEO Justin Pascoe, it’s fair to say a new dawn is rising at Concord.
It comes after interim Tigers CEO Shane Richardson this week doubled down on the club’s pursuit of the Panthers half.
“I’ve made my feelings on Luai well known for a long while. In my opinion, he was the best young half coming through,” Richardson said.
“He’s proven at the highest level he was the best young half coming through.
“Not only that, he’s a great team leader, that Penrith side revolves around Luai. He is a great person off the field despite what many media people try to make out.
“You couldn’t meet a better person than him and you couldn’t ask for a better person at your club.”
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