Panthers make moves after Jarome Luai’s $6m Wests Tigers exit

With Jarome Luai confirmed to be heading to the Tigers in 2025, the Panthers are set to keep their use the extra salary to extend a number of their key players.

Luai’s departure will keep much more of the Panthers’ band together. Picture: Jonathan Ng

With Jarome Luai confirmed to be heading to the Tigers after the 2024 season, the Panthers are set to use the extra salary to extend a number of their key players.

Luai’s five-eighth spot is likely to be filled by a player already on the books, such as Brad Schneider, Daine Laurie or emerging youngster Jack Cole.

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With the Panthers reportedly willing to pay Luai $1.7 million over two seasons to stay in Penrith, that money can now instead be used to hand out extensions to players such as Mitch Kenny, Izack Tago and Sunia Turuva, according to The Western Weekender’s Peter Lang.

With the Panthers expected to fill the vacant five-eighth spot from 2025 onwards from within, the club has $850,000 to spend re-signing players, who are coming off-contract. On the hit list are Mitch Kenny & Sunia Turuva while Izack Tago could also get an extension beyond 2025. pic.twitter.com/eLbzXChqSQ

— Peter Lang (@PeterVLang) January 4, 2024

Luai’s exit may be the key for the Panthers. Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Turuva burst onto the scene last year on the left wing, winning the NRL’s Rookie of the Year award.

He comes off contract at the end of 2024 and the Panthers are keen to ensure he remains at the foot of the mountains.

Kenny was also very good in his first season as starter at dummy-half after Api Koroisau departed for the Tigers.

Like Turuva, Kenny is also off contract after this upcoming season.

Tago’s contract runs through to the end of 2025, but it’s no surprise to see he is a top re-signing priority for the Panthers.

He was one of the most improved players in the NRL in 2023, and was in the mix for a debut Blues jersey.

Originally published as Panthers make moves after Jarome Luai’s $6m Wests Tigers exit