Panthers make last-gasp play for Luai before he talks to other clubs

The Penrith Panthers have stretched their budget just a little bit further in a last-minute bid to try and keep Jarome Luai playing in black, tabling a $1.7 million deal that would see the five-eighth stay until 2026.

Luai, 26, is off-contract at the end of 2024, which means he can talk to rival clubs about a deal for 2025 onward once that all-important November 1 deadline rolls around this year.

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The Panthers are worried he’s going to walk out the door—and he certainly could. After winning three NRL premierships in a row, Luai would easily command a $1,000,000 price tag should he hit the open market, especially considering how important he’d be to whatever club go their hands on him from the end of next season.

Two clubs that have already had quiet talks, The Sporting Base has heard, include the Wests Tigers and the St George Illawarra Dragons. Both would be bolstered by more star power as they navigate rebuilds.

The Canterbury Bulldogs have also begun to make early inroads.

The only thing that may sway Luai is that he wants to stay with the Panthers long-term.

This $850,000-a-year deal may not be enough, however, especially because it’s only over the next two years. Coming off the back of his third consecutive title makes Luai one of the hottest free agents (once November 1 arrives) and he may want to strike while the iron is hot when it comes to pay.

He also signed with Black Money last week—they already managed several major names like Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker—which suggests he’s ready to test his worth.

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If the Panthers lose Luai, it’s expected either youngster Jack Cole will take his spot, or Ivan Cleary will plug Brad Schneider into the halves until the future number six is ready to step up.