Warriors confident Luke won’t be leaving

Parramatta considering tabling lucrative two-year NRL deal for the Kiwis hooker but they’re in an Eel of a mess

The prospect of Issac Luke leaving the Warriors during the 2019 season is slim but not out of the question.

According to Australian media reports, Parramatta are considering tabling a lucrative two-year deal for the Kiwis hooker, which would encompass this year.

It would reportedly be $750,000 across two years, which is significantly more than the cut-price one-year deal that Luke signed to stay in Auckland at the end of last season.

It seems ironic Parramatta are contemplating such an offer given their strong reaction to the Dylan Brown saga earlier this week, where the Warriors were indirectly accused of poaching, but it’s not the usual scenario.

That’s because at the time of negotiating his last contract the Warriors had a handshake agreement that an offer from a rival club would be considered, given the short term nature of Luke’s deal.

“We said that if he was to field any kind of offer, the agreement with his manager was they would advise us and we would talk about it at the time,” Warriors CEO Cameron George said yesterday.

“That was put on the table during the negotiation period and we gave him our word we would consider it. It was basically a verbal agreement, that if he was given a great opportunity elsewhere for him and his family, he could bring it forward and discuss it.”

George didn’t rule out the possibility of Luke being granted a release but emphasised it was only a theoretical scenario.

“It would be a collective decision, with Stephen Kearney, Brian Smith and Peter O’Sullivan,” said George. “At the time we said to Bruce Sharrock [Luke’s manager] that if an offer came to bring it forward and we will consider our position then and discuss it on its merits.”

George added Luke has impressed with his dedication and focus during the pre-season, as the 31-year-old aims to return for round one following a shoulder operation.

We said that if he was to field any kind of offer, the agreement with his manager was they would advise us and we would talk about it. Cameron George

“Issac has been fantastic for the squad,” said George.

“He has been training well and enjoying his role within the group.”

If Luke gets a staggering offer he would have to consider it, although joining a club such as the Eels would appear to be a road to nowhere.

Despite their massive support across Australia and large corporate backing, Parramatta have only reached the playoffs once this decade. During that time they have claimed the wooden spoon three times, most recently last year, where they won only six games.

In 2016, they were hit with a fine of A$1 million, and were also stripped of 12 competition points for a salary cap breach. That also resulted in their entire board being sacked and the departures of their football manager and CEO.

The Warriors would also be reluctant to release Luke.

He was one of the players of the season during last year’s campaign and his experience within the spine will be incredibly important in 2019, especially in the absence of Shaun Johnson.

Much is expected of Nathaniel Roache in his comeback from injury, and if he proves himself (and his fitness) over the first two months of the campaign then that equation may change.

But there is probably room for both players over such an arduous 24-game NRL season.