NRL 2024: Penrith star’s ‘jealousy and resentment’ advice for Jarome Luai

Penrith utility Tyrone Peachey knows what it’s like to leave the club for a more lucrative deal elsewhere. And the veteran wasn’t shy in sharing his experience with off-contract star Jarome Luai.

Penrith utility Tyrone Peachey has opened up to Jarome Luai about the “jealousy and resentment” he felt after he left the club in 2018 – but admitted that it won’t be the same for the superstar five-eighth.

In 2018, Peachey – then a State of Origin player – left the Panthers for a $1.5 million contract with the Titans. It was the start of a horror four-year stretch for the talented utility, who failed to fire on the Gold Coast and at the Tigers. So, when the pair shared a long car ride this week, Peachey took the opportunity to tell Luai of his experiences.

“I had a promo with him earlier this week and we were in the car for about two hours on the way down to Wollongong,” Peachey told this masthead. “I just had a good chat to him.

“I just basically told him I wish I didn’t leave the club when I did. I wish I stayed.

“But I know there’s a lot of money getting thrown around, and he’s got a little family that he’s gotta support, and I have nothing but respect for him and what he does.”

Peachey stresses there are differences in their situations, with the Samoan Test star owning three premiership rings as he considers a big-money contract at Benji Marshall’s Tigers.

But he knows from experience how hard it is leaving the foot of the mountains.

Peachey, who will make his professional boxing debut this weekend, was a try scoring machine after returning to Penrith this year. Picture: Getty Images

“He’s won three comps, so it’s a bit different to me,” Peachey said. “He’s in a situation where he can chase the money. I didn’t win a comp before I left and I didn’t know the club was going to be so successful.

“There were literally Panthers games that I couldn’t watch sometimes. There was some jealousy and resentment there towards the club not wanting me.”

Peachey went from claiming a wooden spoon with the Tigers in 2022 to playing 15 games and winning a premiership as 18th man at the Panthers in 2023.

He also established his own foundation and was nominated for the Ken Stephens Medal for his work in the community.

“I didn’t realise how much impact NRL players have on Indigenous kids,” he said. “I took my foundation out to Dubbo last week and we had about 200 kids out there and did giveaways with jersey and things.

“I just want to give an opportunity to kids in the country who are just trying to make it in life, basically.

“I know how difficult it is, with poverty, alcohol and drugs, but if we can help just one kid make it in the NRL or go to university, that’s what I want to get out of it.

“So many Indigenous kids who’ve been really good footballers, but alcohol, drugs or whatever have taken them down the wrong path. That’s my main target. I want to try and fix that problem.”

Peachey failed to fire at the Titans. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

After returning to Penrith in 2023, Peachey scored 10 tries in 15 games – more than he scored in the four seasons he was away from the Panthers combined – and will play on for one more season in 2024.

Wanting to repay the faith coach Ivan Cleary showed in him, Peachey has stayed fit by boxing over the off-season, and will make his professional debut in Revesby this Saturday.

“I didn’t want to lift weights or go running, so I tried boxing,” he said. “The fight came up and Ivan was on board, probably with the mindset that I wouldn’t come back too fat.

“That’s why I’m boxing, to go into pre-season really fit and give myself every opportunity to be in the 1-17 for the Grand Final next time.”

And, he says, he hopes it’s with Luai still in the side.

“It’d be weird watching Jarome Luai wearing a different jersey,” he said.

“He’s Penrith through and through. He grew up there, and everyone loves him around the club.

“I’ve got nothing but love for Jarome, he’s a legend and I hope he stays with Penrith.”

Panthers ‘at peace’ with big-money Luai exit

-Dean Ritchie

Penrith is spurning any bold optimism that Jarome Luai will re-sign after hard man James Fisher-Harris revealed the entire club would be “at peace” if the star five-eighth left for big-money rival offers.

And Penrith group chief executive Brian Fletcher added to the intrigue by declaring: “If he does decide to go, and he does very well financially, and it sets up his family, how good is that? It’s a great result, either way.”

Luai continues to ponder his future while mulling over a massive offer from Wests Tigers and interest from Canterbury.

While hopeful the NSW star would be retained, the Panthers are being coy as Luai prepared to make his big decision, possibly as early as Friday.

“I’m at peace with whatever he wants to do. It’s all up to him and his family and I’m all for it, brother,” Fisher-Harris said. “He’s my bro and I love him and his family and I’ve ‘got him’ whatever he wants to do.

Jarome Luai is expected to make a decision on his future this week. Picture: NRL

“If he wants to stay, he stays, and if he wants to go he can go and I’m at peace with it – I think we all are at Penrith. It’s not all about football, bro.

“We have known each other for a long time, our kids are close, and our partners are close. We have known each other for so long and football is just a part of the journey.”

Fisher-Harris said he hadn’t attempted to persuade Luai into re-signing.

“At the end of the day, it will come down to him,” Fisher-Harris said.

“I bet you there will be a lot of people in his ear but he has to do what is right for him and his family

“And the challenges he wants. You know what I mean?” Whatever he wants to do, I’m all for it.”

Fletcher stressed his club could feel flattered if Luai accepted the $1.1m to $1.2m a year being offered by Wests Tigers.

“It’s nice to be in the situation we’re in,” Fletcher said.

“We’d love to keep him, he’s such a great player, but it would be great to see if he has a great financial win out of ability as well.

“It’s a great result, either way. If he does decide to go, and he does very financially, and it sets up his family, how good is that? It’s great for the system that you can develop a player and get them to that level.

James Fisher-Harris (centre) says teammates are ‘at peace’ with Luai’s mooted exit. Picture: NCA Newswire/Gaye Gerard

“Penrith has developed a system where you know every year you’re going to lose a million dollars’ worth of player in the salary cap.

“Jarome said he would make a decision prior to coming back to (off-season) training. He’s got all the information from us and he’s got his management team.”

Luai met with Wests Tigers and Canterbury last week.

The Tigers remain confident of luring the running playmaker to Concord while few would discount the power of Bulldogs general manager of football, Phil Gould.

Penrith improved their offer last week by adding a third year to Luai’s deal after previously offering a two-year contract.