Standing in the tunnel of Campbelltown Stadium late on Friday night, after suffering a second agonising defeat within three days, Jarome Luai is asked about Adam Reynolds.
The previous day, Reynolds stunned no one when he re-signed with the Broncos, a move that effectively ensures he will finish his career at Red Hill. It was always going to be a tough sell trying to tempt the veteran halfback from Brisbane, but the Tigers gave it a lash nonetheless.
The Tigers’ pitch included more money and a chance to reunite with chief executive Shane Richardson, after their successful, premiership-winning collaboration at South Sydney. If the move had come to pass, Reynolds would have undoubtedly worn the No.7 jersey. The one Luai had left four-peat champions Penrith to wear.
Sick of playing Robin to Nathan Cleary’s Batman, Luai wanted the chance to be the man, to take on the halfback role and all the responsibility that comes with it. Although the Tigers haven’t moved far from their customary position on the bottom of the ladder, ‘Romey’ has been making a fair fist of it.
After an ordinary first half in Origin II, Luai chased the game when it was there to be won in the second. Ditto against the Raiders on Friday, where he was again the quarterback attempting to orchestrate the match-winning play.
It’s what you would expect from a representative star paid $1.2 million per annum, shouldering even more load after halves partner Lachlan Galvin felt the grass was greener at Belmore.
Luai has undoubtedly made the joint-venture outfit a better side, but perhaps his employees were expecting more? Why else would the Tigers chase a soon-to-be 35-year-old, just months before Luai has a chance to activate a clause in his five-year contract that allows him to explore his options? What does Luai make of it all?
“It would have been a great buy for the club,” Luai said. “I am all for it. I want to play finals and I want to win comps. Someone like that would have helped us.
“Obviously he has re-signed with the Broncos so we will see what opportunities arise for the club next.”
Jarome Luai.Credit: Getty Images
If Luai isn’t feeling the love, he certainly isn’t showing it. Those comments speak to the “Team First” ethos that he felt Galvin hadn’t subscribed to, even if it means again having to play second fiddle.
Asked if he was prepared to hand over the No.7 jersey to Reynolds, if the Tigers’ pursuit was successful, Luai was diplomatic.
“We’ll never know,” Luai said. “He didn’t sign with us so I don’t have an answer for that.”
These are pivotal moments in Tigers history. On Wednesday morning, Lee Hagipantelis, who served as chair of a dysfunctional Tigers board from 2019-2023, was asked to reflect on the role.
“I was asked a little while ago if I missed being the chairman,” Hagipantelis told SEN. “My response was ‘not only do I not miss being chairman I regret taking on the role’.
“It was a mistake; there is no upside to the role. You have no real authority or power to effect change … You can effect no change. So what’s the point of it?”
The club has made changes on and off the field, but whether they have gone far enough remains to be seen. The Galvin saga tarnished the reputation of the club and the coach after declaring his best footy lay elsewhere. To see another contracted Tigers playmaker, Bud Sullivan, kick on while on loan at South Sydney should be further cause for concern.
The Tigers have claimed their nursery is the biggest and best, but Galvin isn’t the only outstanding junior heading to the exit. Tallyn Da Silva, a Campbelltown product who was a member of the Magpies Harold Matthews premiership side of 2022, is about to leave.
Benji Marshall had to make the agonising call over his long-term dummy half; keep current co-captain Apisai Koroisau, or the hooker with more tomorrows, Da Silva.
He chose Koroisau. Given the June 30 transfer deadline is less than a week away, and that Da Silva remained benched for the entire 80 minutes against the Raiders, the young rake may have played his last game in the black, white and orange.
In Richardson, the club has a powerbroker unafraid of making big moves. There is no doubt the ones he has made to date have improved the roster and performances.
None was bigger than luring Luai. Now the challenge is making sure he stays because Gotham City will burn if Batman leaves.
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