'Job not finished': Jarome Luai channels Kobe Bryant ahead of final game in Penrith jersey
His time with the Penrith Panthers is quickly coming to a close, but Jarome Luai insists his job is far from complete.
The 27-year-old has been an instrumental force for the Panthers since the beginning of their premiership run in recent years, featuring in all four grand final bouts.
But the emotions of departing the club he has always known have yet to sink in for the pivotal playmaker, who only has eyes for a fourth premiership ring.
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"It was awesome," Luai told Nine after qualifying for the grand final.
"The back of my mind is thinking about the job not being finished.
"I'm blessed and grateful to be part of a team like this, what we have done and what we have to do is (exciting).
"But I'm not trying to look too far ahead, got such a great group and my job is to stay present. I'm doing my job to the best of my ability."
The comments echo those made by basketball icon Kobe Bryant during the 2009 NBA Finals, where he was defiant about the task at hand despite his side's success.
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In their fifth consecutive grand final, the Panthers will face the one team who they failed to beat in their first attempt - the Melbourne Storm.
Eight players remain from the Penrith team that faced Bellamy's men in 2020, while six players from Melbourne return with the hope of replicating their last battle.
James Fisher-Harris and Sunia Turuva will join Luai on the list of departing Panthers from the club's premiership run, but with 11 former stars parting ways with a premiership ring, the trio remains hopeful they will depart in the same fashion.
"We were ready for a tough game, we knew it would be a long game and the Sharks had a long year but they found form in the back end," Luai said.
Nathan Cleary embraces Jarome Luai after their preliminary final victory. Getty
"We had to work for everything and we trusted our work. Blessed to be part of this group a job not finished.'
"Coming up against a great Storm side so it will be a great battle next week."
Luai expressed his gratitude for his teammates, many of whom he has played with since his junior competition days.
"My last game in the black jersey," he said.
"Last game with my brothers. I love this group of boys.
"But again, emotion aside, I have a job to do."
