‘I've got that dog in me, bra': Why Luai's inclusion is a big win for Blues
'They are your brothers, you've made a lot of memories with them. You're a New South Welshmen, so you want them to get the job done. I wanted to be there in that jersey. I am so happy the boys got the job done. They really went after it … now I get my opportunity.'
Luai was dropped for game three in the 2023 series, and overlooked again this year despite his key role in last year's winning side. The double rejection had only made the Wests Tigers co-captain appreciate every game he now played in the sky blue.
'It's good to feel the energy, I woke up this morning and dialled in,' he said.
'I messaged the missus [Bailey], and said my perspective now is to make the most of every moment, [because] you never know when it will be the last time you wear the jersey. You need to nail every day and do your best; you need to do your best and bring that shield home.'
Blues winger Brian To'o had his hamstring heavily strapped but was able to complete training against the NSW Origin under-19s side. NSW medical staff are expecting him to play in Perth, and did not even bother having back-up winger Jacob Kiraz at Sydney Olympic Park on stand-by.
Zac Lomax was naturally disappointed for his Parramatta teammate Moses, who is now facing up to six weeks out with a calf injury, but praised Luai for giving all those around him plenty of confidence.
'Jarome is that guy who plays so instinctively and plays what's in front of him – he's really passionate as well,' Lomax said. 'Jarome has a lot of confidence, and that's why he's had the success he's had as a player. That's what we love about him. He brings that confidence to his teammates as well.'
The Blues flew west late on Saturday, have a rest day on Sunday and will resume preparations on Monday.
Eels facing halves crisis after Moses blow
The loss of Mitchell Moses to a calf injury the next six weeks – and the suspension to Dylan Brown for shoving a referee – has heaped pressure on Parramatta ahead of next Sunday's possible Spoon Bowl against the Gold Coast Titans.
The Eels lost Brown to a one-match suspension after he ran into the back of Gerard Sutton while chasing after a kick in the first half against Canterbury on Easter Monday.
And when Moses went down with a calf injury at Blues' training on Thursday, it suddenly meant Parramatta would be without their starting halves for at least one game.
The Titans win over Manly on Friday night meant they moved to 12 points, alongside the Eels and Newcastle Knights on the ladder. To be fair to Parramatta, only four points separates sixth to 17th.
But the last thing Parramatta need is to stall after starting to make some drastic improvements on the field, especially once Moses returned from a foot injury.
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Coach Jason Ryles has Dean Hawkins, Ronnie Volkman and 20-year-old rookie Joash Papalii as halves options. Dylan Walker is also no stranger to wearing the No. 6.
Zac Lomax was naturally disappointed to see his good friend Moses break down at training in the Blue Mountains on Thursday, but was backing his club to continue marching forward.
Lomax admitted earlier in the week Brown was unfortunate to have been suspended for his run-in with Sutton, and that 'I watched that replay, and I don't know how you can run around [the ref]; I know when I'm going for the ball, my eyes are always on the footy ... it's a tough one.'
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As for the double halves blow, Lomax said: 'Dean Hawkins has been there, and the game he played [agaionst Manly] before Mitch came back, he was unbelievable. With Dyl out, Ronnie Volkman is there, and we've got Joash.
'It's not ideal with both of them out, but that's where your depth comes in, and you have to make it work.
'Joash is a really good player, he's light on his feet, and whenever we do opposed sessions, and he's in the Cup team, he trains really well. He's earned his way into the 17, and 'Rylsey' believes in him. He'll be a really good player.'
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The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Blue season takes another bad turn as Roos rise at MCG
The Michael Voss era is in major trouble after Carlton conceded eight straight goals against North Melbourne to be stunned by 11 points in an MCG boilover. Just 64 days after smashing North by 82 points on Good Friday, the Blues went goal-less from midway through the first quarter until 10 minutes into the third term. During that period, the Kangaroos produced some of their best football in Alastair Clarkson's three-year tenure to set up the 13.6 (84) to 10.13 (73) victory in front of 56,236 fans. Voss gave a stern three-quarter-time address to his under-performing midfield group when they trailed by 46 points. The spray from the coach worked as the Blues kicked 5.5 to 0.0 in the final quarter, but it was too late for Carlton. Despite having only beaten lowly Richmond, West Coast and Melbourne this season, North have been threatening to claim a bigger scalp for weeks. Trailing by nine points at quarter-time, the Kangaroos surged in the second term with 6.2 to 0.1, prompting sections of the pro-Carlton crowd to boo their team off at halftime. The wheels completely came off when Carlton gave away a free kick straight after Cam Zurhaar's third goal, allowing ruckman Tristan Xerri to put the Kangaroos 40 points up early in the third quarter. The Blues showed more spirit for the rest of the game, but the damage had already been done. Finalists in the past two seasons, Carlton slumped to 6-8 and will sit two games outside of the top eight by the end of the round. The Blues comfortably won the inside-50 count, but their ball use let them down all day. The unexpected result will turn up the heat on coach Voss, who has been under pressure since Carlton's calamitous round-one loss against wooden spooners Richmond. North had matchwinners across the ground, led by Tom Powell, Luke Parker and Luke Davies-Uniacke out of the middle. Dashing left-footer Colby McKercher produced arguably the best game of his young career with two goals and 29 possessions. The only positive for Carlton was that star defender Jacob Weitering avoided being added to a lengthy injury list. Weitering appeared to have suffered a serious ankle injury when he landed awkwardly after jumping over Zurhaar in the first quarter. The reigning All-Australian fullback was assisted from the field in agony, but returned 15 minutes later for the start of the second term. Carlton are already without star forward Harry McKay and important midfielder Sam Walsh for at least another month. Fellow key forward Charlie Curnow was in doubt for the game with calf tightness, but managed to ride his push bike to the MCG to prove his fitness. However, the dual Coleman Medallist had a dirty day, failing to kick a goal. Lockdown defender Nic Newman and highly rated teenager Jagga Smith have already been ruled out for the season. Carlton's season will be virtually dead and buried if they can't beat Port Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday night. North head to Launceston next Saturday to clash with Hawthorn. The Michael Voss era is in major trouble after Carlton conceded eight straight goals against North Melbourne to be stunned by 11 points in an MCG boilover. Just 64 days after smashing North by 82 points on Good Friday, the Blues went goal-less from midway through the first quarter until 10 minutes into the third term. During that period, the Kangaroos produced some of their best football in Alastair Clarkson's three-year tenure to set up the 13.6 (84) to 10.13 (73) victory in front of 56,236 fans. Voss gave a stern three-quarter-time address to his under-performing midfield group when they trailed by 46 points. The spray from the coach worked as the Blues kicked 5.5 to 0.0 in the final quarter, but it was too late for Carlton. Despite having only beaten lowly Richmond, West Coast and Melbourne this season, North have been threatening to claim a bigger scalp for weeks. Trailing by nine points at quarter-time, the Kangaroos surged in the second term with 6.2 to 0.1, prompting sections of the pro-Carlton crowd to boo their team off at halftime. The wheels completely came off when Carlton gave away a free kick straight after Cam Zurhaar's third goal, allowing ruckman Tristan Xerri to put the Kangaroos 40 points up early in the third quarter. The Blues showed more spirit for the rest of the game, but the damage had already been done. Finalists in the past two seasons, Carlton slumped to 6-8 and will sit two games outside of the top eight by the end of the round. The Blues comfortably won the inside-50 count, but their ball use let them down all day. The unexpected result will turn up the heat on coach Voss, who has been under pressure since Carlton's calamitous round-one loss against wooden spooners Richmond. North had matchwinners across the ground, led by Tom Powell, Luke Parker and Luke Davies-Uniacke out of the middle. Dashing left-footer Colby McKercher produced arguably the best game of his young career with two goals and 29 possessions. The only positive for Carlton was that star defender Jacob Weitering avoided being added to a lengthy injury list. Weitering appeared to have suffered a serious ankle injury when he landed awkwardly after jumping over Zurhaar in the first quarter. The reigning All-Australian fullback was assisted from the field in agony, but returned 15 minutes later for the start of the second term. Carlton are already without star forward Harry McKay and important midfielder Sam Walsh for at least another month. Fellow key forward Charlie Curnow was in doubt for the game with calf tightness, but managed to ride his push bike to the MCG to prove his fitness. However, the dual Coleman Medallist had a dirty day, failing to kick a goal. Lockdown defender Nic Newman and highly rated teenager Jagga Smith have already been ruled out for the season. Carlton's season will be virtually dead and buried if they can't beat Port Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday night. North head to Launceston next Saturday to clash with Hawthorn. The Michael Voss era is in major trouble after Carlton conceded eight straight goals against North Melbourne to be stunned by 11 points in an MCG boilover. Just 64 days after smashing North by 82 points on Good Friday, the Blues went goal-less from midway through the first quarter until 10 minutes into the third term. During that period, the Kangaroos produced some of their best football in Alastair Clarkson's three-year tenure to set up the 13.6 (84) to 10.13 (73) victory in front of 56,236 fans. Voss gave a stern three-quarter-time address to his under-performing midfield group when they trailed by 46 points. The spray from the coach worked as the Blues kicked 5.5 to 0.0 in the final quarter, but it was too late for Carlton. Despite having only beaten lowly Richmond, West Coast and Melbourne this season, North have been threatening to claim a bigger scalp for weeks. Trailing by nine points at quarter-time, the Kangaroos surged in the second term with 6.2 to 0.1, prompting sections of the pro-Carlton crowd to boo their team off at halftime. The wheels completely came off when Carlton gave away a free kick straight after Cam Zurhaar's third goal, allowing ruckman Tristan Xerri to put the Kangaroos 40 points up early in the third quarter. The Blues showed more spirit for the rest of the game, but the damage had already been done. Finalists in the past two seasons, Carlton slumped to 6-8 and will sit two games outside of the top eight by the end of the round. The Blues comfortably won the inside-50 count, but their ball use let them down all day. The unexpected result will turn up the heat on coach Voss, who has been under pressure since Carlton's calamitous round-one loss against wooden spooners Richmond. North had matchwinners across the ground, led by Tom Powell, Luke Parker and Luke Davies-Uniacke out of the middle. Dashing left-footer Colby McKercher produced arguably the best game of his young career with two goals and 29 possessions. The only positive for Carlton was that star defender Jacob Weitering avoided being added to a lengthy injury list. Weitering appeared to have suffered a serious ankle injury when he landed awkwardly after jumping over Zurhaar in the first quarter. The reigning All-Australian fullback was assisted from the field in agony, but returned 15 minutes later for the start of the second term. Carlton are already without star forward Harry McKay and important midfielder Sam Walsh for at least another month. Fellow key forward Charlie Curnow was in doubt for the game with calf tightness, but managed to ride his push bike to the MCG to prove his fitness. However, the dual Coleman Medallist had a dirty day, failing to kick a goal. Lockdown defender Nic Newman and highly rated teenager Jagga Smith have already been ruled out for the season. Carlton's season will be virtually dead and buried if they can't beat Port Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday night. North head to Launceston next Saturday to clash with Hawthorn.
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Not done yet: Titans eyeing late run at finals
Gold Coast stars AJ Brimson and Kieran Foran insist the last-placed side can still make a late run and contend for finals with one proviso. The Titans, who play Parramatta away on Sunday night, have also had good news on their two State of Origin representatives Moeaki Fotuaika and Tino Fa'asuamalaeaui. Both middle forwards travelled to Sydney on Saturday to join the team and are set to play the Eels. Fa'asuamaleaui had a sternum complaint he took into Queensland's 26-24 win over NSW in Perth, but is determined to play Parramatta so long as there is no late complication. Brimson was man of the match in last week's 28-8 win over Manly playing at fullback. It was easily the Titans' best win of the year with 11 players unavailable - two to Origin and nine injured. The Titans play North Queensland at home next week and then have the bye. Brimson said it was vital the side string back-to-back wins together, starting with Parramatta, so as to have a crack at a late run to the finals. "We are planning on (the Manly win) not being a one-off. We think this is what we have been capable of for weeks," he said. "You enjoy every win when you are on the bottom. We are trying to put together some wins to finish off the year and see where we can go with it. "After a short turnaround and as outsiders that was a good team performance. "We spoke about taking the shackles off because we enjoy playing footy and that was Titans footy … backing ourselves and playing eyes-up footy. "We are back on track with the way we want to play. We have got Parramatta and we are not getting ahead of ourselves." Veteran Foran also had his best game of the season at No.6 and said the Titans were capable of figuring in September. "I still believe we can," he said. "I've always maintained we've got a great footy side here. "The first part of the season hasn't gone to plan on the back of some disappointing performances. "We've got to reset and go again. It's a block at a time. If we do that, you never know. "We've got to go step by step." In other Titans team news, boom back-rower David Fifita, named as 18th man, won't return this week after ankle surgery but is close to making a comeback. Parramatta are also at the bottom of the ladder and will be without halves Dylan Brown (suspended) and Mitchell Moses (injured). Their places will be taken by debutant Joash Papalii and Dean Hawkins. Gold Coast stars AJ Brimson and Kieran Foran insist the last-placed side can still make a late run and contend for finals with one proviso. The Titans, who play Parramatta away on Sunday night, have also had good news on their two State of Origin representatives Moeaki Fotuaika and Tino Fa'asuamalaeaui. Both middle forwards travelled to Sydney on Saturday to join the team and are set to play the Eels. Fa'asuamaleaui had a sternum complaint he took into Queensland's 26-24 win over NSW in Perth, but is determined to play Parramatta so long as there is no late complication. Brimson was man of the match in last week's 28-8 win over Manly playing at fullback. It was easily the Titans' best win of the year with 11 players unavailable - two to Origin and nine injured. The Titans play North Queensland at home next week and then have the bye. Brimson said it was vital the side string back-to-back wins together, starting with Parramatta, so as to have a crack at a late run to the finals. "We are planning on (the Manly win) not being a one-off. We think this is what we have been capable of for weeks," he said. "You enjoy every win when you are on the bottom. We are trying to put together some wins to finish off the year and see where we can go with it. "After a short turnaround and as outsiders that was a good team performance. "We spoke about taking the shackles off because we enjoy playing footy and that was Titans footy … backing ourselves and playing eyes-up footy. "We are back on track with the way we want to play. We have got Parramatta and we are not getting ahead of ourselves." Veteran Foran also had his best game of the season at No.6 and said the Titans were capable of figuring in September. "I still believe we can," he said. "I've always maintained we've got a great footy side here. "The first part of the season hasn't gone to plan on the back of some disappointing performances. "We've got to reset and go again. It's a block at a time. If we do that, you never know. "We've got to go step by step." In other Titans team news, boom back-rower David Fifita, named as 18th man, won't return this week after ankle surgery but is close to making a comeback. Parramatta are also at the bottom of the ladder and will be without halves Dylan Brown (suspended) and Mitchell Moses (injured). Their places will be taken by debutant Joash Papalii and Dean Hawkins. Gold Coast stars AJ Brimson and Kieran Foran insist the last-placed side can still make a late run and contend for finals with one proviso. The Titans, who play Parramatta away on Sunday night, have also had good news on their two State of Origin representatives Moeaki Fotuaika and Tino Fa'asuamalaeaui. Both middle forwards travelled to Sydney on Saturday to join the team and are set to play the Eels. Fa'asuamaleaui had a sternum complaint he took into Queensland's 26-24 win over NSW in Perth, but is determined to play Parramatta so long as there is no late complication. Brimson was man of the match in last week's 28-8 win over Manly playing at fullback. It was easily the Titans' best win of the year with 11 players unavailable - two to Origin and nine injured. The Titans play North Queensland at home next week and then have the bye. Brimson said it was vital the side string back-to-back wins together, starting with Parramatta, so as to have a crack at a late run to the finals. "We are planning on (the Manly win) not being a one-off. We think this is what we have been capable of for weeks," he said. "You enjoy every win when you are on the bottom. We are trying to put together some wins to finish off the year and see where we can go with it. "After a short turnaround and as outsiders that was a good team performance. "We spoke about taking the shackles off because we enjoy playing footy and that was Titans footy … backing ourselves and playing eyes-up footy. "We are back on track with the way we want to play. We have got Parramatta and we are not getting ahead of ourselves." Veteran Foran also had his best game of the season at No.6 and said the Titans were capable of figuring in September. "I still believe we can," he said. "I've always maintained we've got a great footy side here. "The first part of the season hasn't gone to plan on the back of some disappointing performances. "We've got to reset and go again. It's a block at a time. If we do that, you never know. "We've got to go step by step." In other Titans team news, boom back-rower David Fifita, named as 18th man, won't return this week after ankle surgery but is close to making a comeback. Parramatta are also at the bottom of the ladder and will be without halves Dylan Brown (suspended) and Mitchell Moses (injured). Their places will be taken by debutant Joash Papalii and Dean Hawkins.
Perth Now
2 hours ago
- Perth Now
Blue season takes another bad turn as Roos rise at MCG
The Michael Voss era is in major trouble after Carlton conceded eight straight goals against North Melbourne to be stunned by 11 points in an MCG boilover. Just 64 days after smashing North by 82 points on Good Friday, the Blues went goal-less from midway through the first quarter until 10 minutes into the third term. During that period, the Kangaroos produced some of their best football in Alastair Clarkson's three-year tenure to set up the 13.6 (84) to 10.13 (73) victory in front of 56,236 fans. Voss gave a stern three-quarter-time address to his under-performing midfield group when they trailed by 46 points. The spray from the coach worked as the Blues kicked 5.5 to 0.0 in the final quarter, but it was too late for Carlton. Despite having only beaten lowly Richmond, West Coast and Melbourne this season, North have been threatening to claim a bigger scalp for weeks. Trailing by nine points at quarter-time, the Kangaroos surged in the second term with 6.2 to 0.1, prompting sections of the pro-Carlton crowd to boo their team off at halftime. The wheels completely came off when Carlton gave away a free kick straight after Cam Zurhaar's third goal, allowing ruckman Tristan Xerri to put the Kangaroos 40 points up early in the third quarter. The Blues showed more spirit for the rest of the game, but the damage had already been done. Finalists in the past two seasons, Carlton slumped to 6-8 and will sit two games outside of the top eight by the end of the round. The Blues comfortably won the inside-50 count, but their ball use let them down all day. The unexpected result will turn up the heat on coach Voss, who has been under pressure since Carlton's calamitous round-one loss against wooden spooners Richmond. North had matchwinners across the ground, led by Tom Powell, Luke Parker and Luke Davies-Uniacke out of the middle. Dashing left-footer Colby McKercher produced arguably the best game of his young career with two goals and 29 possessions. The only positive for Carlton was that star defender Jacob Weitering avoided being added to a lengthy injury list. Weitering appeared to have suffered a serious ankle injury when he landed awkwardly after jumping over Zurhaar in the first quarter. The reigning All-Australian fullback was assisted from the field in agony, but returned 15 minutes later for the start of the second term. Carlton are already without star forward Harry McKay and important midfielder Sam Walsh for at least another month. Fellow key forward Charlie Curnow was in doubt for the game with calf tightness, but managed to ride his push bike to the MCG to prove his fitness. However, the dual Coleman Medallist had a dirty day, failing to kick a goal. Lockdown defender Nic Newman and highly rated teenager Jagga Smith have already been ruled out for the season. Carlton's season will be virtually dead and buried if they can't beat Port Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday night. North head to Launceston next Saturday to clash with Hawthorn.
