Jarome Luai’s family shares Panthers victory joy amid local celebrations

The parents of Panthers rags to riches success story Jarome Luai say the club’s grand final victory is a “dream come true” for their son.

The parents of Penrith five-eighth Jarome Luai have shared their joy at their son’s career-defining grand final victory, saying his rags to riches story has inspired other young western Sydney kids to dream big.

From humble beginnings as a Mt Druitt kid whose family at times struggled to put food on the table, the Panthers young gun has transformed himself into an NRL star with a grand final win behind him.

Speaking outside their Dharruk home, his parents Martin and Ramauko Luai say they couldn’t be prouder of the St Marys Junior, who plans to use his success to buy his family a house.

Jarome Luai’s parents Martin and Raumako say the win is a dream come true for their son. Photo: Darren Leigh Roberts

“He’s doing really good. He rang us out on the field, he was very emotional and happy, it’s a dream come true,” Mr Luai said.

Hundreds of fans poured into the streets outside Jarome’s family home within minutes of the game’s finale, celebrating for an hour until riot police came to disperse the crowds.

“Celebrations were crazy last night. It was almost instant, as soon as they won, the streets were just chock-a-block,” Mr Luai said.

The constant horn blaring and cheers echoing through the suburb on Monday morning just highlights the community’s devotion to the Panthers.

Jarome has become a local rags to riches success story in the area, with his mother saying his story has inspired many local kids to get involved in footy.

“The kids around here they look up to them and it’s given them so much to drive for. They all want to be footy stars now,” she said.

For all his success, Jarome’s life hasn’t been without hardship. His father Martin was absent from the family for two and a half years while serving time in prison for drug trafficking.

A hand injury he suffered while saving Jarome’s junior Panthers teammate Casey Lafaele from drowning left Martin unable to work and forced to take desperate measures as the family sometimes struggled to put food on the table.

While his father’s absence was tough for Jarome, he forged ahead with his NRL dreams before making his debut in 2018 against Newcastle.

Since then, he has earned a reputation as one of the best nigglers in the NRL and his skill shone through on Sunday when the Panthers beat Souths 14-12 a year after their crushing grand final loss to Melbourne.

Jarome Luai in action during the Grand Final between the Penrith Panthers and South Sydney Rabbitohs at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. Picture: Adam Head

The 24-year-old is father to a little boy Izzy who his parents say looks identical to him - and has another one on the way.

“We miss Jarome but we miss Izzy a lot more,” Mr Luai said.

The pair won’t have to miss their son for long with Jarome planning to return home from the Queensland Covid hub later in the week in time for a welcome home street parade planned by locals.

“We just can’t wait to see him,” Ms Luai said.