Wests Tigers marquee signing Jarome Luai could reportedly walk away from the football club after just two seasons.
The four-time premiership winner could begin negotiating with rival NRL clubs this time next year, according to The Sydney Morning Herald, thanks to the inclusion of a player option in his five-year deal, that some on social media have branded ‘dumb’.
The outlet reports that the 27-year-old can part company with the club in the final three years of that contract and has the ‘option to become a free agent on November 1 every year’ following the 2026 season, with his deal due to end in November 2029.
The outlet claims that Tigers chief executive, Shane Richardson, had agreed to the addition of the clause with several other teams, including the Bulldogs circling the ex-Panthers halfback.
Former Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe, who left the club in 2023, had rubbished a potential deal after having been presented with the clauses during his time at the club.
The Tigers have been making waves to bolster their ranks after finishing rock bottom of the NRL for the past three seasons.
Four-time premiership winner Jarome Luai (left) signed for the Wests Tigers this summer, agreeing a five-year deal worth $6million
Luai is set to join up with the Tigers in January and has previously told fans that he wants to win trophies with the club
But some fans have been left scratching their heads after a player-option was added to his contract that will allow him to leave after the first two years of his five-year deal
Benji Marshall’s side have dipped into the player market to sign some big names including Sunia Rutuva, Royce Hunt and Terrell May.
But some social media users have questioned why the club have included such a clause in Luai’s new deal.
‘Why is it only the Tigers who always insert these dumb clauses – that indicates to me that Luai is not all in,’ one fan wrote.
‘I thought contracts like this would have stopped under the new board,’ another wrote. ‘If I was part of the playing group I would feel a little uncomfortable…
‘As a Tigers member, I’m already thinking – when is he leaving?’
Another said: ‘Might be a Tweet before unfortunate events, but I’m not overly concerned about this. I think he wants the challenge and wants to prove himself right. Might mean we have to top him up a bit early but big deal.’
‘Unbelievable if true,’ another wrote.
Despite that, Luai recently made a promise to Tigers fans after his deal to join the club was announced, claiming that he was joining to win titles.
The deal means Luai can effectively become a free agent again after the 2026 season
Some on social media were left divided by the contract situation with one writing on X: ‘Unbelievable if true’
‘I’m officially a Tiger now and I’m really excited to be a part of this new journey,’ he said in a video posted to the Wests Tigers website.
‘I can’t wait to meet you guys — to feel your energy and to feel your presence.
‘I’m here to win, and I’m here to win consistently, so I hope you guys are ready for the ride. See you guys soon.’
While Luai isn’t set to join his new team-mates until January, the Tigers have been working hard in pre-season ahead of the 2025 season.
And according to Marshall, their new players are buying into the ethos that the club are trying to build.
‘One of the best things about all of the guys we have signed is that they are all trying their hardest to come in as much as possible,’ Marshall said.
‘Royce Hunt started three weeks early, Sunia Turuva is going to come in and he isn’t required back until January.
‘Jack Bird started a week early, Jeral Skelton started today, and he is not due back for another two weeks.
Tigers boss Benji Marshall is optimistic that the tide is changing at the club, following their disappointing form finishing as the wooden spoon winners for the past three seasons
‘We are talking about people who are buying into what we are doing and want to be a part of the solution and want to be in the fight to get us out of where we are so that reassures me that we have signed the right people.’
With plenty of work taking place at the club, new signings coming in and pre-season well underway, Marshall is optimistic that the Tiger’s fortunes were starting to turn around.
‘The place on the ladder is not forever,’ he added.
‘Everyone has periods at the bottom of the ladder, but if you work hard and have a plan in place you will get to the top of it.’
