Greg Alexander lets rip at Jarome Luai report after sudden NRL swap deal emerges
The club legend wasn't having any of the speculation surrounding Jarome Luai.
NRL great and Panthers director Greg Alexander has blasted the reports Jarome Luai could be leaving the club immediately in a swap deal. On Wednesday, the Wide World of Sports reported Luai could potentially leave the club in time for the 2024 season if the Wests Tigers help them out with a two-for-one NRL player swap.
The Tigers have been the favourite to land Luai's signature after tabling a reported deal worth $4.5 million over four years. This is significantly more than any other club and well up from the Panthers' reported offer of a two-year contract extension worth $1.7 million.
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On Wednesday, reports suggested the Panthers were set to let Luai go early if the Wests Tigers were to let former Origin prop David Klemmer and rising star Lachlan Galvin go the other way. The move surprised many with fans expecting Luai to remain a Panther right up until the finish of the 2024 season.
And club great Alexander has moved to quell the bombshell news Luai could be off as early as this year as he banished the reports. "Apparently it was a proposal by the Panthers to make it happen," director Alexander said of the trade deal on SEN Radio with Andrew Voss.
"It was completely made up. It's just a made-up story." When questioned on whether the Panthers were keen to sign Klemmer from the Tigers, Alexander was adamant. "Not really, no. Not to swap Jarome Luai for a front-rower," he added. While shutting down the latest reports, Alexander did have high-praise for young halfback Galvin and said many clubs were interested in the rising prospect's future.
Bulldogs enter race for Jarome Luai's signature
On Wednesday it emerged Phil Gould had met with Luai as the Bulldogs entered the race for the five-eighth signature. Luai could be ready to seek more money with the Wests Tigers who are reportedly ready to make him a $1.1 million man a season.
"It's completely made up."
Brandy dismisses reports that the Panthers will release Jarome Luai early in a player swap deal#NRL pic.twitter.com/TWkXVu0GHH— SEN 1170 (@1170sen) November 29, 2023
While this number might appear unbeatable for most clubs, The Daily Telegraph reports the Bulldogs met with Luai on Wednesday in a formal meeting and they could be set to lure him to the club. The Bulldogs are in the middle of a huge rebuild and head of football Gus Gould appears interested in Luai. The five-eighth worked with coach Cameron Ciraldo during his time at Penrith.
Luai might be interested at the direction of the Bulldogs' project, however it is reported the Tigers' offer of a little more than $1.1 million a season will remain the highest bid. Alexander also appeared to confirm the five-eighth will most likely see out his contract before going to a rival club in 2025.
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