tookey
First Grader
He has been released at the end of the year. LOL if Gus signs Thurston as he won't win a comp for Penrif.
Unwanted: Penrith favourite Luke Lewis wants out of the club. Source: The Daily Telegraph
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/former-penrith-panthers-captain-luke-lewis-wants-a-release-from-the-club/story-e6frexqi-1226420608097
UPDATED: PENRITH has granted a release to club legend Luke Lewis after weeks of speculation about his future.
The decision will be revealed at a press conference this afternoon where both Lewis and Panthers general manager Phil Gould will be in attendance.
"It's unfortunate but it's like a bad marriage - there's no point hanging on to someone when he doesn't want to be here," a Penrith official told thetelegraph.com.au.
There is speculation that Lewis spent the weekend in the company of Paul Gallen his former Penrith teammate Wade Graham in Cronulla.
The Sharks are the front runners to sign him for next season but there is strong interest from St George Illawarra as well.
It is too late for Lewis to switch clubs mid-season as the June 30 deadline for transfers has now passed
He will play out the remainder of the season with the Panthers.
The Daily Telegraph broke the story today.
Lewis, 28, was contacted last night but preferred not to comment.
It's understood that he has told friends he does not want to play at a club where he feels unwanted. Panthers fans will be irate at the news because Lewis is a long-time favourite at Centrebet Stadium who has earned NSW and Australian jumpers.
It is understood that Lewis's manager Greg Willett will this week start canvassing rival NRL clubs to determine interest in the NSW State of Origin utility forward.
One source close to Lewis said: "He wants to leave on good terms. He has a lot of mates at Penrith and has given his all for the club.
"Luke loves the Panthers. The club gave him the opportunity to play NRL and he will never forget that.
"The Panthers want to go in another direction and Luke accepts that. I think they want to take on a youth policy.
"A new start will reinvigorate Luke. He feels he needs to leave. He is little confused as to why the club doesn't want him."
Lewis is a Penrith junior who wanted to play his entire career at the Panthers.
The shock decision has been brewing since Penrith coach Ivan Cleary stripped Lewis of the captaincy before the Origin series.
But Lewis is telling friends the captaincy issue is not the reason he will leave.
On a contract worth about $425,000 a season, Lewis was to be offered the captaincy back again this week but that is now in doubt.
His departure would give Penrith additional room to move in their tight salary cap.
Lewis is said to be stunned at the false rumours circulating about him, one even suggesting he suffered from depression. The source said: "He is very happy. Luke just doesn't know where all these rumours are coming from."
The Kangaroos forward wants the final decision on his future to be made quickly.
Lewis was among the first picked for all three Origin games this season. His performance in Origin II at ANZ Stadium was sensational in NSW's 16-12 win.
Unwanted: Penrith favourite Luke Lewis wants out of the club. Source: The Daily Telegraph
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/former-penrith-panthers-captain-luke-lewis-wants-a-release-from-the-club/story-e6frexqi-1226420608097
UPDATED: PENRITH has granted a release to club legend Luke Lewis after weeks of speculation about his future.
The decision will be revealed at a press conference this afternoon where both Lewis and Panthers general manager Phil Gould will be in attendance.
"It's unfortunate but it's like a bad marriage - there's no point hanging on to someone when he doesn't want to be here," a Penrith official told thetelegraph.com.au.
There is speculation that Lewis spent the weekend in the company of Paul Gallen his former Penrith teammate Wade Graham in Cronulla.
The Sharks are the front runners to sign him for next season but there is strong interest from St George Illawarra as well.
It is too late for Lewis to switch clubs mid-season as the June 30 deadline for transfers has now passed
He will play out the remainder of the season with the Panthers.
The Daily Telegraph broke the story today.
Lewis, 28, was contacted last night but preferred not to comment.
It's understood that he has told friends he does not want to play at a club where he feels unwanted. Panthers fans will be irate at the news because Lewis is a long-time favourite at Centrebet Stadium who has earned NSW and Australian jumpers.
It is understood that Lewis's manager Greg Willett will this week start canvassing rival NRL clubs to determine interest in the NSW State of Origin utility forward.
One source close to Lewis said: "He wants to leave on good terms. He has a lot of mates at Penrith and has given his all for the club.
"Luke loves the Panthers. The club gave him the opportunity to play NRL and he will never forget that.
"The Panthers want to go in another direction and Luke accepts that. I think they want to take on a youth policy.
"A new start will reinvigorate Luke. He feels he needs to leave. He is little confused as to why the club doesn't want him."
Lewis is a Penrith junior who wanted to play his entire career at the Panthers.
The shock decision has been brewing since Penrith coach Ivan Cleary stripped Lewis of the captaincy before the Origin series.
But Lewis is telling friends the captaincy issue is not the reason he will leave.
On a contract worth about $425,000 a season, Lewis was to be offered the captaincy back again this week but that is now in doubt.
His departure would give Penrith additional room to move in their tight salary cap.
Lewis is said to be stunned at the false rumours circulating about him, one even suggesting he suffered from depression. The source said: "He is very happy. Luke just doesn't know where all these rumours are coming from."
The Kangaroos forward wants the final decision on his future to be made quickly.
Lewis was among the first picked for all three Origin games this season. His performance in Origin II at ANZ Stadium was sensational in NSW's 16-12 win.
