Penrith Panthers five-eighth Jarome Luai proved he is a man of many talents by delighting fans in Western Sydney on Friday night with his impressive singing skills.
The 26-year-old three-time premiership star appeared at Emu Hall Bar & Kitchen in Emu Plains and belted out a few songs as part of the night’s entertainment.
Luai, who is set to undergo shoulder surgery this week, seemed in his element with a microphone in his hand and the happy crowd seemed to agree.
A clip of Luai singing Chris Stapleton‘s hit ballad Tennessee Whiskey has been doing the rounds on social media since the event, with footy fans astonished by his off-field talent.
‘Not a bag singer and should stick to that instead of being a grub on the field. But don’t get me wrong he should pursue singing,’ replied one Instagram user.
‘How can this bloke be a grub when he has a voice of an angel,’ said another.
‘He annoys me but he can sing,’ replied a third.
Luai became a free agent following the Panthers’ recent premiership win and the club has given him their blessings to explore his options when the trade window opens.
The club has told Luai that they aren’t in a financial position to get into a bidding war for him, and if he stays he will be forced to take less than his market value.
‘He won’t get more than $800,000 at the Panthers and they have told him that, as it stands right now, things could change and players could move on, but right now, the offer is going to be in the $700,000s,’ reporter Michael Chammas told Nine’s 100% Footy.
There’s not much room to negotiate at Penrith with a host of stars on big-money deals – including Nathan Cleary (estimated at $1.3 million per year), Dylan Edwards ($850,000), James Fisher-Harris ($950,000) and Liam Martin ($750,000).
Coach Ivan Cleary has insisted he wants Luai to stay at the club, but the crafty playmaker could realistically command around $1 million dollars if he hits the open market.
Footy pundit Phil Rothfield believes Luai will turn his back on the big money in favour of the ongoing success at the Panthers.
‘He’s just bought a house in Penrith, a lovely family home. I have a feeling he’ll take a reasonable haircut to stay because he’s guaranteed success at that organisation not for one or two years but probably for the next six or seven,’ Rothfield said.
‘As a player, you’re probably willing to take a couple hundred a year less to stay somewhere but if you’re talking up around three or four hundred a year, that’s a
