Luai to sign $6m deal with NRL cellar-dwellars

Penrith star Jarome Luai has reportedly is set to sign a five-year deal to play for the Wests Tigers in 2025.According to NRL reporter Michael Chammas, the deal is worth more than $6 million.The Panthers had offered Luai a two-year, $1.7 million deal to remain at the club in 2025 and 2026 but opted to test his value on the open market.Luai 107-game veteran for the Panthers, is a three-time premiership winner with the club, having played all his senior and junior football for Penrith.Luai's future has been the talk of the off-season, with the three-time premiership winner paying visits to Bulldogs football boss Phil Gould and Tigers coach Benji Marshall.The Tigers interim CEO Shane Richardson said this week the club would abandon plans to chase Addin Fonua-Blake to concentrate on signing Luai."I've made my feelings on Luai well known for a long while. In my opinion, he was the best young half coming through," Richardson said.

Cleary comeback date clearer after injury blow

Penrith Panthers star Nathan Cleary could make his NRL return next weekend as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury.9News and Sydney Morning Herald reporter Michael Chammas revealed the news at half-time of Nine's NRL coverage on Sunday, along with reports Dylan Edwards has been offered a multimillion-dollar deal by the Panthers.Cleary suffered his hamstring injury before Origin II, ruling him out for the rest of the series. "He's told those at the club that's he ready to play against the Dolphins (next Sunday), that doesn't mean he'll play, the Panthers want to make sure they're not taking any risks with Nathan Cleary and make sure he's right for their run home for the finals," Chammas said."But Nathan Cleary says he's ready to go."The good fortune keeps coming for the Panthers, with Edwards reportedly offered a three-year contract extension to keep him at the club until 2027, on a deal worth around $2.5 million.In more injury news, Viliame Kikau could also return for the Bulldogs soon, with Chammas stating the club is considering naming him against the Broncos on Saturday."The Bulldogs, they say he's an outside chance to play this week, he's likely to be named but (he'll play) probably the week after against his old club the Penrith Panthers, that's one he would've definitely circled on the calendar and could be back for in round 21," he said.An update was also provided on Parramatta hooker Josh Hodgson, who is out with a neck injury.