The Wests Tigers say they’ll be wary of a fired-up Luke Lewis in their NRL clash with Penrith this weekend after the Panthers star was on Monday granted a release from the last two years of his contract.
Lewis will leave at the end of his 11th season with the Panthers and Tigers Keith Galloway and Beau Ryan say the NSW and Australia back-rower will use Saturday’s Campbelltown Stadium match to advertise his skills to other clubs.
“He’s a great player and if he’s getting released he’ll probably try to take it out on us this weekend,” Galloway said.
“The Panthers will be hungry so we’ve got to match them.”
Ryan says while he thinks Monday’s announcement is “going to give Luke a bit of fire in the belly” on Saturday he’d be a welcome addition to the Tigers squad.
“I’d love to see Luke Lewis suit up here but I don’t think we’ve got any money. I’d also love to see (North Queensland’s Jonathan) Thurston play for us but you can’t have want you want,” Ryan said.
“I don’t know if Luke Lewis is unhappy there or the captaincy hurt him … but if he wants to come here he’s more than welcome.”