Greg Alexander has shut down suggestions the club may let Jarome Luai forgo the remainder of his contract to sign elsewhere as Isaah Yeo implored him to stay at the Panthers long-term.
The Tigers are reportedly the frontrunners to sign Luai after making a mammoth $4.5 million offer should he choose to leave the Panthers.
However, speaking on SEN radio, Panthers Deputy Chairman Alexander bristled at talk the Panthers would let him go before the end of his deal, which expires in November 2024.
“(Releasing him in 2024)? Forget it,” Alexander said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“Like forget it, it’s not happening, we went through this with Matt Burton.
“We had every man and his dog chipping in saying, ‘It’s not fair’.
“Well, it is fair, he (Luai) has a contract with Penrith next year.”
SEN’s Andrew Voss agreed that the Panthers are well within their rights to keep Luai in 2024, but warned stranger things have happened in rugby league.
“I’m saying things can happen, I know what you’re saying and I’m leaning your way but I also know in my recent lifetime Greg Inglis was delivered to South Sydney on Christmas Eve,” Voss said.
However, Alexander believes comparing Inglis’ situation to Luai’s is wide of the mark.
“Yeah but wasn’t that for salary cap reasons, you’re trying to make a story out of it,” Alexander said.
“You can’t compare Greg Inglis, his situation, leaving Melbourne to go to Souths, to Jarome Luai.
“Jarome Luai has a contract with Penrith for 2024, he will not be playing for the Tigers, I don’t know what else I have to say.”
The latest developments came as Panthers skipper Yeo pleaded with Luai to stay loyal with Penrith and continue their dynasty, which currently stands at four straight grand finals and three consecutive titles.
“He’s obviously got a big decision, he’s obviously got a young family now,” Yeo told WWOS.
“I can see both sides to it, but obviously with my Penrith bias, I’d love him to stay.”
Yeo believes Luai is a massive part of the team’s culture and success and would leave a big hole if he moved to another club.
“It would be very disappointing, obviously Ivan (Cleary, coach) has come out, but I think all the players have spoken about how much we want him to stay,” Yeo said.
“He’s a massive part of this team, the culture we’ve created here. He’s a wonderful driver of our culture and one of the big reasons we are where we are.
“I’d love him to stay and be a part of this for a long time yet, but we’ll see how we go.”