About $3000000 was spent by the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs on a possible player. Don Deal….

About $3000000 was spent by the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs on a possible player. Don Deal….

Jarome Luai, a former teammate, has been urged to sign with the Canterbury Bulldogs by former Penrith Panthers utility Jaeman Salmon.

 

For the 2024 season, Salmon has committed to the Canterbury Bulldogs, where he will compete for a second-row berth. Salmon stated up front before the Christmas break that he will be competing for a second-row berth rather than settling for a utility role, despite criticism directed towards Canterbury’s recruitment plan.

The versatile 24-year-old Salmon, a former half himself, decided to take a fresh start in 2024 due to a tightening pay limit and a better offer from the Bulldogs. Salmon was an essential part of the Penrith machine during their three-peat premiership run.

Salmon joins Matt Burton, Viliame Kikau, and other former Penrith players who have already joined the team. Stephen Crichton also joins Salmon in making the transfer for 2024.

 

In an interview with Zero Tackle, Salmon expressed his desire for Luai to join him at Belmore in 2025, but he also acknowledged that the star half needed to prioritize his own goals.

“We definitely would love to have Romy [Jarome Luai] at the Dogs, but he needs to do what is best for his family,” Salmon said.

“Everyone is aware that Jarome is a competitor and a victor. His record of three premierships, an Origin series, grand final appearances, and a Samoa World Cup speaks for itself.

 

“Everyone anticipates Romy’s contribution to the club. He trains as he plays, is a winner, and is competitive.

 

“We would love to have him with the Dogs; he is a great leader by action and mate.” We would really love to have him, but he obviously has to do what is best for his family.

 

The hiring practices of Cameron Ciraldo’s team have drawn criticism; in addition to Drew Hutchison, Kurt Mann, Connor Tracey, Blake Taaffe, and Salmon, these guys are considered utility players.

Though it is thought the Wests Tigers are favorites to land the New South Wales State of Origin five-eighth, the club has considered an offer to bring Luai to Belmore in 2025.

 

According to reports, Luai informed those close to him that he had already made up his mind to leave the Panthers. He had hoped to decide before starting preseason training again in mid-December. Nevertheless, no announcement has been made as of yet, with Penrith reportedly raising their offer at the last minute in an attempt to keep the five-eighth.

It is understood that the salary differential between the Bulldogs and Tigers might be approximately $300,000 annually; however, it is unclear how much the Bulldogs have offered or if Luai’s management has received an official offer.