NRL contract news: New stars serve as good replacement  as old players leave the Penrith Panthers

Jarome Luai has officially entered the NRL open market, with the Panthers five-eighth still unsigned beyond the end of next year after a recent change in management.

The 26-year-old has been an integral part of Penrith’s success in recent seasons, helping them to three-straight premierships, as well as representing both NSW and Samoa in the representative arena.

After a three-month freeze on negotiations following a split from his previous agent, Luai has now linked up with Black Money Enterprises — the same company that represent the likes of Latrell Mitchell and Jack Wighton.

Luai is signed at the foot of the Mountains until at least the end of 2024, but with the likes of Dylan Edwards and Liam Martin both earning upgraded deals in recent months, there could be salary cap pressure on the NRL heavyweights.

Will Jarome Luai leave the Panthers for Wests Tigers?

According to a report from The Sydney Morning Herald, Penrith have offered Luai a two-year extension worth $1.7 million, which is an improvement on a reported $800,000 per season contract discussed in August.

“Jarome is aware of the club’s capacity moving forward,” Panthers CEO Matt Cameron said.

“He will obviously command interest on the open market and we have no problem with him investigating all his options if he needs to after the first of November.”

Despite the contract being tabled to Luai, the Samoan international is yet to decide his plans following the club’s recent premiership success and his own shoulder surgery.

Luai could attract interest from a host of clubs if he becomes available at the end of this season, with the likes of the Raiders, Tigers and Bulldogs in the hunt for a star playmaker.

According to SMH, Tigers coach Benji Marshall is particularly keen on signing Luai, meeting with the playmaker on numerous occasions throughout November in a bid to lure him to Concord.

Senior reporter David Riccio is now reporting via SEN Radio that the Tigers are “a big chance” to land the in-demand star, with the potential for a deal to be agreed upon before the end of November.

However, any chance of Wests landing him a year early have been shut down by Panthers legend and deputy chairman Greg Alexander, who labelled reports of a 2024 swap deal between the two clubs as ‘completely made up’.

In a press conference on November 1st, Ivan Cleary remained adamant the club hopes to retain Luai’s services, but admitted the potential for Luai to take more money elsewhere is a genuine possibility.

“I won’t be telling him to do anything,” the coach said.

“He knows what we think of him and I personally believe that he belongs here… we’re good for him and he’s good for us. I just want to make it really clear that we want him to stay and I’m pretty sure he wants to stay.

“We’ve made it pretty clear what we can afford, but there’s always little things you can maybe do or you can’t.”

However, the head coach did raise some concern over Luai’s ability to become the leading man, with the polarising playmaker playing second-fiddle to Nathan Cleary for most of his career.

“Is he ready for that? That’s the question mark I would think,” Cleary said.

“Could he do it? I’m sure he could do it. Has he done it? No, he hasn’t really.

“In this team, he’s had his role to play which is slightly different, so that’s a risk that everyone would have to take.”

Luai would seemingly respond to his coach’s analysis on social media, posting an Instagram story with the caption “know your worth” – but does it mean he will leave Penrith?

Following the club’s recent grand final triumph over the Broncos, the fleet-footed five-eighth addressed his future in the league, pointing out the two main areas that would need addressing.

“There were two main factors – it was success or family,” Luai said.

“That’s the two main things (that will influence) this decision coming up… but it’s time to party, it’s not time to worry about that yet.”

NSW legends weigh up Jarome Luai’s contract value

The potential for Luai to leave the Panthers could come down to money according to NSW coach Brad Fittler, who believes the five-eighth will attract stronger offers from other teams.

On a recent episode of Freddy And The Eighth, Fittler claimed that Luai could be the perfect foil to a side with an organising halfback – similar to his partnership with Nathan Cleary.

“I think it comes down to the circumstances at Penrith, from a point of view of money,” he said.

“It probably depends what the difference in between leaving and staying… in terms of money value. It would be great for him to stay – he and Nathan have been together since they were 16 years old.

“He’s done it on every stage, he’s been good at Origin, he’s been involved in grand finals. He’s the other person that can add that bit of flair, if you’ve got an organising half.

“In today’s market, he’s easy $800,000 to $1 million. I think it all depends what the difference is… he’s got to weight that up.”

Luai is currently on an estimated contract of $700,000 with the reigning premiers, but could earn up to $1 million on his next deal if he was to switch clubs.

Andrew Johns however admitted the struggle for Luai could come with not being the number-one guy at the Panthers.

“I see Jarome as a backup singer,” he said.

“He’s not a main playmaker… if I valued him, it would be up around 600-700k player. If he went on the open market, he’d get $1 million because there’s limited halves in the game.

“He’s not an organising half – in today’s market, who’s looking to buy Jarome? It’s the teams outside the eight really, so he’s got to make the decision.

“I think he will go – he’s won competitions, he is probably looking at his family, Jarome is from humble backgrounds.”

Phil Gould, Paul Gallen divided over Jarome Luai’s future

With two premiership rings and continued success at the Panthers, there’s no reason to believe Luai would want to move away from the club and his partnership with Nathan Cleary.

But according to Cronulla and NSW great Paul Gallen, there could be a burning desire inside of Luai to become his own man.

“He’s here this year and he’s here next year as well – if they win three in a row, that’s a hell of an amount of success you’ve had,” he told 100% Footy.

“Does he then want to go and lead a team himself to success? That’s probably what I wonder. He went away and led Samoa to a World Cup final.

“I can’t say he’s in Cleary’s shadow, but when you think of Penrith, you probably think of Cleary before Jarome Luai. I wonder if he wants to be his own man and become his own leader.

“I don’t know him as a person and I don’t know what his goals may be, but I can see from a halfback or game-manager point of view… I could see it.”

With just over 100 NRL games to his name, the local junior is a vital part of the Penrith system and gives the side plenty of energy, both on and off the field.