Brian To'o photo raises eyebrows amid fresh uncertainty over Jarome Luai's NRL future

Brian To'o has landed himself in hot water with Penrith Panthers fans after posting a photo of himself wearing a Bulldogs jersey on New Year's Eve. The Panthers winger posted a number of photos to social media, showing himself at home with family celebrating the end of 2023.

But one peculiar detail hasn't sat particularly well with Panthers fans. Many noticed that To'o was wearing a Canterbury Bulldogs jersey - a strange move considering the Dogs are the Panthers' western Sydney rivals.

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The Panthers have lost a number of players to the Bulldogs in recent years, with Stephen Crichton, Viliame Kikau and Matt Burton all forced to leave the back-to-back-to-back champions due to salary cap issues. To'o's curious move is certainly a bold one considering Panthers fans won't be happy about the number of Penrith players who are now at the Dogs.

It evoked memories of Sydney Swans player Robbie Fox, who was spotted wearing a Collingwood jumper at the AFL grand final. Fox attended the grand final against Brisbane to support good mate Brody Mihocek, who played in the Pies' victory.

Fox and Mihocek grew up in Tasmania together and are still very good mates. But a number of Swans fans weren't impressed by the fact that Fox was wearing a Collingwood jumper - a seemingly sacrilegious act for a current AFL player to wear a rival club's colours.

Broadcaster Jim Wilson was among the many to question Fox's decision. "You can support your mate without wearing an opposition jumper, pretty naive to say the least," Wilson wrote on social media.

As for To'o, many pointed out that he might have been trolling Crichton over his move to the Bulldogs considering he's a known prankster. But there were still a fair few fans who didn't take it well.

Uncertainty remains over Jarome Luai's future in NRL

Another Panthers player who has been linked to the Bulldogs in recent times is Jarome Luai. The five-eighth has reportedly told the Panthers that he's accepted a five-year, $6 million deal with the Wests Tigers, although the deal couldn't be ratified until after a 10-day cooling off period.

That 10-day period has now expired, however there has been no confirmation of Luai's move to the Tigers. It has sparked renewed theories that Luai has reconsidered and wants to remain at the Panthers.

Penrith have only been able to offer Luai a two-year deal worth around $1.6 million, but staying at Penrith would allow him to continue building the Panthers' dynasty. Crichton recently hinted that Luai would do what is best for his family - including three young children. “The last time I did speak to him, I told him to do whatever makes him and his family happy, and I’ll be happy," Crichton said at Bulldogs training.

“He’s kind of my best mate as well, so wherever he goes or stays, I’m happy with wherever he goes. I’d probably sit down with my parents and see what the best solution is to put him and his family in the right position. I’d tell him to not listen to the outside noise because I had that as well last year when I was moving. As long as he knows that his family is happy wherever he goes, that’s the best thing for him.”

One person who doesn't think Luai is leaving Penrith is Tigers legend Steve Roach. “The thing is, if you’re any good, a decent player, you generally don’t move around clubs unless there’s family stuff going on," Roach told Fox Sports. “Blokes like Luai, if he’s a one-club player at Penrith he’ll make money for the next 30 years - don’t worry about the next three or four years.

“And those guys deserve to be looked after by the club… three premierships in a row, not bad. I’d like him to come [to the Tigers], he’s a good player, but I have my doubts.”

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