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Find your frequency here'Could be the best signing for the history of the club': Voss on his potential buy of the year
Nicholas Quinlan • February 21st, 2025 12:22 pm
Photo: Wests Tigers
Andrew Voss has declared that Jarome Luai will be the signing of the year for the West Tigers if he is able to help them contend for finals.
Having signed at the West Tigers for a reported $6 million over five years at the start of last year, Luai will be one of the big storylines throughout the season as he looks to lead Wests to their first finals appearance since 2011.
Speaking on SEN 1170’s Breakfast with Vossy and Brandy, Voss believes that Luai can help lead them up the ladder as their marquee player.
“For a team that has picked up three wooden spoons, if Jarome Luai is instrumental in turning that club around, getting the vibe happening and the Tigers get on a roll then Luai becomes not just the signing of the year; he could be become the best signing of the history of that club,” Voss said.
With Nathan Cleary having been injured only playing half of last season, Luai played an important role for the Panthers demonstrating why he has been one of the best five-eighths in the competition.
Picking up some of Cleary’s duties particularly in the kicking game where he averaged 236.2 kicking meters which was double his highest average as well as averaging over 100 running meters for the first time in his career showed what Luai might be capable of in his new colours.
Having only played in finals three times since the merger in 2000 and are currently on a 14-year finals drought, the pressure will be high in Concord for results after three years of wooden spoon finishes.
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Matt Russell did display some caution in the backing of Luai although Voss was quick to reconfirm his view.
“Can the buy of the year be in a club that goes from last to say tenth or eleventh or ninth?” he asked.
“Well, if tenth or eleventh means that they are in finals contention,” Voss said.
“That will at least get Tigers fans excited, and everyone will hop on the Luai bus.”
Wests will play their last pre-season game against Parramatta tonight at Leichardt.
Luai will be expected to make his debut in Wests colours in the opening game of the season when they play Newcastle at Campbelltown on the 7th of March.
