As Isaah Yeo pleaded with Jarome Luai to commit to the Panthers for the long haul, Greg Alexander has refuted rumors that the team might allow him to sign elsewhere and forego the remaining portion of his contract.
If Luai decides to leave the Panthers, the Tigers have made a massive $4.5 million offer, making them the front-runners to sign him.
Panthers Deputy Chairman Alexander, however, snapped at rumors that the team would let him go before the end of his contract, which expires in November 2024, during an interview on SEN radio.
We experienced this with Matt Burton, so like, forget it, it’s not going to happen.
“It’s not fair,” every man and his dog would chime in.
“Well, it’s fair enough; Luai has a deal with Penrith for the following year.”
While acknowledging that the Panthers have every right to retain Luai through 2024, SEN’s Andrew Voss cautioned that stranger things have happened in rugby league.
“I’m stating that things can happen, I understand what you’re saying, and I’m leaning toward you, but I also know that Greg Inglis was delivered to South Sydney on Christmas Eve in my most recent lifetime,” Voss stated.
Alexander, though, feels that drawing a comparison between Inglis’ and Luai’s circumstances is inaccurate.
“Yes, but you’re trying to make a story out of it; it wasn’t for salary cap reasons,” Alexander retorted.
“You can’t compare Jarome Luai’s situation to that of Greg Inglis, who left Melbourne to go to Souths.”
“I don’t know what more I can say, but Jarome Luai will not be playing for the Tigers. He has a contract with Penrith through 2024.”
The most recent events occurred after Panthers captain Yeo implored Luai to remain faithful to Penrith and carry on their dynasty, which currently stands at three titles and four straight grand final appearances.
Yeo said to WWOS, “He’s obviously got a big decision, he’s obviously got a young family now.”
“I understand both sides of the argument, but given my penrith bias, I would really like for him to stay.”
Yeo feels that Luai’s departure from the team would leave a significant void given his significant contribution to the team’s success and culture.
Yeo remarked, “It would be very disappointing; obviously, coach Ivan Cleary has come out, but I believe all the players have expressed how much we want him to stay.”
