Jarome Luai believes one of the hardest parts about leaving the Panthers will be the end – or at least a drastic scaling back – of his professional relationship with halves partner Nathan Cleary.
Having played a crucial role in each of the club’s three consecutive premierships, Luai will join the Tigers on a five-year deal worth $6 million from 2025.
Luai and Cleary are among a string of homegrown Panthers talent who have risen through the junior ranks playing together.
Now aged 26 and 27, they form probably the strongest halves combination in the NRL. It’s a bond they also share off the field.
“You know those drunk talks you sort of have after grand finals (or) after you’ve done something great,” Luai told 9News.
“We’ve have some pretty cool chats – D&Ms people call it. Those chats, I’ll never forget.
“Even just talking game plans in general, I’ll never forget how much of a leader he is and how he makes me a better player.
“I don’t want to get emotional now but he knows … I’m sure he knows.”
Lua’s final season with the Panthers will commence on Friday night in a blockbuster against the Storm in Melbourne.
Having gone under the knife to fix his shoulder in the off-season, he insists he’s feeling sharper than ever.
“I don’t know if I’ve ever been this switched on, wanting to make the most of every day and every moment,” he said.
That’s good news for coach Ivan Cleary, who – having lost top-line talent including Api Koroisau, Matt Burton, Viliame Kikau, Kurt Capewell, and Stephen Crichton over the past three years – has noticed a trend among departing players.
“I’ve definitely noticed that we’ve got history with the boys that have left – a lot of them have had that little something just to drive them a little bit more,” Cleary said.
“Certainly there are three or four that had the best seasons in the last year (with the club).
“So I hope that trend continues.”
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