Jarome Luai takes a cryptic shot at Ivan Cleary after the coach said teams that want to sign him away from Penrith could be taking a huge risk

• Panthers star Jarome Luai can now field NRL offers for 2025 and beyond
• Coach Ivan Cleary felt it would be a gamble for rival clubs to sign him
• Luai, 26, posted on Instagram with a tagline stating ‘know your worth’

Off-contract Panthers five-eighth Jarome Luai has cryptically responded to coach Ivan Cleary’s claim that it would be a risk for rival NRL clubs to sign him as a halfback for 2025 and beyond.

Luai, 26, won’t be short of offers to leave Penrith and is tipped to field deals worth $1million plus a season.

The NRL premiers are believed to be keen to retain Luai on a two-year extension, but will only be able to table $850,000 per season due to salary cap restraints.

On Wednesday, Cleary raised eyebrows after telling reporters it would be a gamble for other clubs to go all in for Luai as their future chief playmaker.

‘Could he do it? I’m sure he could do it. Has he done it? No, he hasn’t,’ he said.

‘He’s done a little bit with Samoa, of course, at last year’s World Cup, but generally speaking in this team he’s had his role to play and it’s slightly different.

‘I guess that’s a risk that everyone [rivals] would have to take.’

NSW Blues Origin representative Luai took to Instagram on Thursday, seemingly in response to Cleary.

Currently recovering from off-season surgery, he posted an image to his story with the tagline ‘know your worth’, to the sound of rapper 50 Cent’s ‘Hustler’s Ambition.’

Cleary also stated he was ‘comfortable’ with Luai ‘exploring his options’ and that the pivot ‘knows what we think of him.’

‘Everyone is always looking for high-quality halves and he is definitely one of those,’ he said.

‘It’s a matter of him now getting what’s out there, checking it out and coming back to us.

‘We’ve made it pretty clear what we can afford. I want to make it really clear that we want him to stay.

‘And I’m pretty sure he wants to stay as well. But yeah, money talks, so we’ll see.’

Panthers elevate youngster, confirm 2024 NRL squad

The club have two available Top 30 spots left.

The Penrith Panthers have confirmed their NRL squad for next season, which includes the elevation of rookie Harrison Hassett to the Top 30 roster.

One of the best back-rowers coming through the ranks, Hassett has continually shown his explosiveness on the edge of the field and has been compared to international star Liam Martin.

The Under-19s NSW representative and St Marys junior decided to remain at the club despite interest from The Dolphins that would have seen him join former SG Ball teammate Isaiya Katoa. It is understood that the newly founded club thought they had secured the forward, only for him to change his heart at the 11th hour.

Hassett’s elevation to the Top 30 roster means the Penrith Panthers only have two available spots left. While there have been no rumours on which players will be awarded the spots, it will likely be given to players coming through the club’s pathways teams.

The squad will remain mostly the same for next season despite losing five players: Jack Cogger, Stephen Crichton, Tom Jenkins, Spencer Leniu and Jaeman Salmon.

In their place, Paul Alamoti has been picked up from the Bulldogs, Daine Laurie will rejoin the club after a stint with the Wests Tigers, and Brad Schneider will take the role of a back-up half following a stint in the Super League.

Isaiah Iongi, Luke Sommerton, Preston Riki and Riley Price – the son of former NRL icon Steve Price – will be on supplementary contracts next season.

Squad for 2024

Paul Alamoti, Nathan Cleary, Jack Cole, Dylan Edwards, Matthew Eisenhuth, James Fisher-Harris, Luke Garner, Mavrik Geyer, Harrison Hassett, Liam Henry, Zac Hosking, Mitch Kenny, Daine Laurie, Moses Leota, Ativalu Lisati, Jarome Luai, Soni Luke, Liam Martin, Taylan May, Jesse McLean, Tyrone Peachey, Brad Schneider, Lindsay Smith, Scott Sorensen, Izack Tago, Brian To’o, Sunia Turuva, Isaah Yeo

PANTHERS 2024 PLAYER MOVEMENTS

Best 17 and full squad

1. Dylan Edwards
2. Sunia Turuva
3. Izack Tago
4. Taylan May
5. Brian To’o
6. Jarome Luai
7. Nathan Cleary
8. Moses Leota
9. Mitch Kenny
10. James Fisher-Harris
11. Liam Martin
12. Scott Sorensen
13. Isaah Yeo

14. Soni Luke
15. Zac Hosking
16. Luke Garner
17. Lindsay Smith

18. Daine Laurie
19. Tyrone Peachey
20. Jesse McLean
21. Jack Cole
22. Mavrik Geyer
23. Liam Henry
24. Ativalu Lisati
25. Matthew Eisenhuth
26. Brad Schneider
27. Paul Alamoti
28. Harrison Hassett
29. No player signed
30. No player signed

2024 Development List

1. Isaiah Iongi
2. Riley Price
3. Preston Riki
4. Luke Sommerton