Footy star Jarome Luai reveals why he hasn’t cut his hair in three years – and what he writes in his secret journal
- Jarome Luai is in last season with his Panthers teammates
- Penrith are eyeing off a fourth straight title as finals start Friday night
Luai is the first to admit the emotions of his exit have hit him at different times this year.
He has been asked this week to recount his first games in the NRL at BlueBet Stadium, where he first started as a short-haired halfback in 2018.
The 27-year-old has also considered retiring his boots after Friday night’s match, in a bid to keep a piece of the ground’s turf at home with him.
‘I’ve been (trying to take it all in) a fair bit after every game. I try to sit there for a couple of minutes with my babies and soak it up,’ Luai said.
‘Both on and off the field you mature with time. You go through a lot and you experience a lot. ‘I’ve learnt a lot about footy and about being a man.
‘I’ve got to be part of this great team and created something special for years to come, even after we leave.’
It’s part of the reason why Luai has vowed to try and keep his emotions to the little brown journal, and let his football do the talking on the field.
‘It was a bit of a challenge after Origin because it was coming pretty fast for me,’ Luai said.
‘But I think being able to talk about it and address how I was feeling helped me understand that I still have a job to do.
‘I have to put the emotion aside and put the worker’s hat on to make sure I’m doing my job first and foremost.’
Panthers star Jarome Luai has confirmed why he hasn’t had a haircut since 2021 – and the reason he is keeping a little brown book as Ivan Cleary’s men chase a remarkable fourth straight NRL premiership.
After winning his maiden title in 2021, the five-eighth promised his teammates he wouldn’t cut his locks until they were beaten at the business end of the season.
Subsequent grand final triumphs in 2022 (Eels) and Broncos (2023) has the Samoan international with longer hair than he anticipated – not that he is complaining.
It comes as Luai’s book of ongoing memories has made his impending departure from Penrith that little bit more bearable.
‘It’s a little brown journal I keep at home,’ Luai said.
‘It’s helped me. And I think it will help me when I’m looking back….the lessons I have learned already.
‘It’s just little conversations with the boys that are leaving.’
The Panthers Foundation is excited to be delivering the inaugural two day Play Like A Panther Holiday Clinic in the October school holidays.
Join us at Doug Rennie Field in Kingswood for two full days of fun and rugby league.
- Dates: Thursday 10 and Friday 11 October 2024
- Time: 9:00am – 3:00pm
- Cost: $85 per child for one day or $160 per child for both days
- Spots are strictly limited. Secure your child’s spot today
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