‘Tried to make him better’: Luai opens up on Galvin exit as Tigers star makes huge contract call

Jarome Luai has opened up ahead of his first showdown with former teammate Lachlan Galvin following his bombshell exit.

Tigers skipper Jarome Luai has opened up on facing Lachlan Galvin for the first time since his defection to the Bulldogs.

Luai and Galvin reportedly had a frosty relationship as teammates, even before Galvin’s decision to leave the club.

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Luai was vocal in defending coach Benji Marshall after his coaching credentials were called into question by Galvin’s management as one of the reasons he wanted to leave the club.

However, Luai told The Daily Telegraph there was no hard feelings between the pair and maintains they had a good relationship at the Tigers.

“I think he spoke about it already and said that there wasn’t any beef in the relationship, which is true,” Luai told The Daily Telegraph.

“I did my best to try and make him a better footballer.

“All pre-season I thought to myself, we connected well and you know, we started the year off in great form, won some games.

“But like I just said before, he made a call on his future. All the other best of him, bro. I’m just focused on my career.”

Jarome Luai and Apisai Koroisau at a press conference after West Tigers training. Photo Jeremy Piper

Luai refused to get caught up in the hype of playing against Galvin and is more focused on bouncing back from a loss to the Panthers.

“It’s not about Lachie, it’s not about the Dogs - it’s about us,” Luai told WWOS.

“That’s a story everyone wants to talk about. For us here inside our four walls, it’s about us and how we perform on game day. Coming off the back of a loss, my main focus as a player is how I prepare throughout the week and ultimately, how I’m gonna perform.

“It’s all about me and my team.”

Luai also all but confirmed he will see out the remainder of his Wests Tigers deal, despite get-out clauses giving him the option to walk out on the club mid-contract.

Luai’s $6 million deal has been in the spotlight since he was critical of Lachlan Galvin walking out on the Tigers, despite the fact he had contract clauses that would allow him to do the same.

The Tigers’ skipper’s five-year deal has options in his favour that would allow him to leave at some point in the final three years of the deal from 2027.

Lachlan Galvin’s departure from the Wests Tigers was a messy affair. Picture: NRL Photos

It means Luai could become available to negotiate with rival clubs for 2027 from November 1 this year.

When questioned about the clauses by Channel 9’s Danny Weidler on WWOS, Luai moved to end speculation he would leave the club.

“Scoops? Nah, just scoops of ice cream,” Luai joked.

“I’m staying, don’t worry - for life.

“I think when things get hard, people are sort of expecting you to change and I’m not that type of guy. I’m here for the long run and I’m here to change this club around.”

The Tigers recently re-signed co-captain Api Koroisau to a two-year extension through until the end of 2028, meaning his contract length is similar to Luai’s which expires in 2029.

Luai admitted the chance to keep playing with Koroisau was a big factor in him committing to the Tigers.

“He’s a big part of this club and a big reason why I signed here,” Luai said.

“It’s good to see the skip locked in for a few more years, I can’t wait to play some more footy with him.”

Originally published as ‘Tried to make him better’: Luai opens up on Galvin exit as Tigers star makes huge contract call