The same sources suggested Jarome Luai was ready to scrap the much-publicised escape clause from his five-year mega deal, guaranteeing he would remain a Tiger until the end of 2029.
Luai has always spoken about family and loyalty. How on earth can the bloke commit to an organisation that has shown absolutely no love or loyalty when it comes to its board, and now left their CEO, Shane Richardson, weighing up whether to walk?
Jahream Bula was close to extending his stay.Credit: Getty Images
The first thing Richardson did when he was appointed to the top job at the Tigers at the end of 2023 was make the Luai deal happen. He parked the brief pursuit of Addin Fonua-Blake, and threw the kitchen sink at the four-time Penrith premiership winner.
Now, rather than celebrating Bula’s new deal, and Luai’s decision to ditch the clause, we’re now talking about the Tigers and their board, whether Balmain will remain a part of the forced marriage with Wests Magpies, and whether there is too much orange in the playing strip for next year.
Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne, who is as passionate as they come when it comes to the Tigers, is urging fans to gather on Saturday, December 13 at Pratten Park, one of the old spiritual homes of the Western Suburbs Magpies, and march to the nearby Wests Ashfield Leagues Club to demand the Holman Barnes Group resign.
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It is a big call by Byrne who, like all Tigers fans, has had enough. Just to rub it in, fans should wear orange.
Richardson has been in the game 32 years and never been sacked. He is determined to get things done, and in the past 12 months, has helped the club’s revenue increase by $3m, secured $110m in funding for stadium upgrades, and witnessed crowds lift by 45 per cent.
The Tigers need Richardson. They need Bula and Luai. They need passionate supporters in influential positions like Byrne. They need a decent human being like O’Farrell.
