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COMMENT
The smartest thing that Panthers could do right now is release Jarome Luai to Wests Tigers immediately – rather than in nine months.
Why? Firstly because Luai clearly no longer has his head in the game, having skipped Panthers training today.
But more importantly, it may well give the Panthers a crack at a once in a generation player who would cost them a tenth of Luai’s massive wage.
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Lachlan Galvin is a potential superstar in the Tigers’ ranks – but right now the club is chock full of playmakers on good money… Aidan Sezer, Adam Doueihi, Jayden Sullivan, Latu Fainu… and Galvin.
And the 18-year-old Galvin is at the end of the line because of his age and lack of experience – but in two years he will be better than all of them.
The Tigers don’t have two years, however, they need a quick fix – and if Penrith come knocking on their door and offer a switch, Luai for Galvin, chances are the Tigers will jump at it.
Their salary cap is also unbalanced with five playmakers on good money and needs a reset.
I’ve studied Galvin on video and he reminds me of Greg Alexander before he burst into first grade in the early 1980s or Nathan Cleary prior to finding fame and fortune at Penrith.
He has speed, class, time to make decisions, a feel for the game and good instincts – and he’s still a kid.
It’s why former Tigers coach Tim Sheens – a good judge despite the character assassination the club put him through before sacking him – signed him for FIVE years at age 16.
Since then, Galvin has made the Australian Schoolboys, led Westfields Sports High to victory in the National Schoolboys Cup and steered Wests Magpies to a premiership in the Harold Matthews Cup.
Galvin, a great kid, has told mates he is happy to stay with his friends at the Tigers and bide his time.
But his manager Isaac Mosts smells an opportunity – and will doubtless try to get him out of Tiger-town and onto big dollars.
Throw the kid into the Penrith system, where he will learn from the Clearys and slowly be blooded into first grade in the next season, and he will develop into a key figure in the Panthers dynasty.
Penrith may not want to go down that path – but if they do it will be the best move they make for some time.
