Wests Tigers fans have been left sweating on the future of one of their key stars, following their 64-point demolition by Melbourne Storm on Sunday.

Jarome Luai arrived at the footy club in the off-season, putting pen to paper on a $6million deal that will keep him at the Leichhardt Oval until 2029.

But on Sunday, his dad, Martin, appeared to raise alarm bells with a comment he published on Instagram following the Tigers’ defeat.

While speculation has arisen that Luai could walk from the club after just two seasons, thanks to the inclusion of a player option in his five-year bumper deal, Tigers fans will be comforted by his recent commitments to staying at the club.

‘When it came out, I thought, ‘I haven’t even played a game in the colours yet and we’re talking [about potentially leaving]?’,’ the former Penrith man said to The Sydney Morning Herald, speaking on his contract clause.

Jarome Luai’s dad, Martin, published the above message on his Instagram story on Sunday, sparking fears among some Wests Tigers fans

Luai (left) joined the Tigers in the summer in a $6million deal that will keep him at the footy club until 2029

The footy star, though, has previously committed his future to the club, rubbishing rumours that he could jump ship in the next two years

‘I think I’ve become a bit of a realist. I’m not looking that far ahead. Five years is a long time.

‘Coming from a great club and my comfort zone, to step out of that and come here and test myself and test what I can bring to a new team [is the challenge].

‘The biggest goal for me is to help these guys get in a position where they can compete for a title this year. That comes with a lot of work.’

But interestingly, the social media post comes after Luai has been embroiled in the Lachlan Galvin saga, notably taking to Instagram himself to publish a thinly veiled swipe at the Tigers youngster following his announcement that he wanted to test himself on the open market.

Luai last week added that he and his halves partner Galvin ‘didn’t have to be mates’ in order to work together.

Luai has also come out to defend Benji Marshall following the Galvin saga but, after today’s defeat, Marshall was critical of his players.

‘We’ve got to be better than that, we’ve built standards that we want to live by and today we didn’t live by any of them,’ the coach said.

‘Everyone’s disappointed, embarrassed, probably a few other words you could use.

Benji Marshall, meanwhile, branded his team’s 64-0 defeat by Melbourne ’embarrassing’ on Sunday

Ryan Papenhuyzen (centre) put his hand up for an Origin call up, with a sensational performance

A record-breaking Papenhuyzen (right) was almost untouchable as he scored three times in the opening 17 minutes,

‘There’s losing the game and then there’s being beaten, and we actually got beaten today.

‘We’ve got a team that usually fights for everything, and I just didn’t see the same fight today.’

Ryan Papenhuyzen has given NSW State of Origin selectors a timely reminder of his value, helping Melbourne deliver a Mother’s Day massacre with a crushing 64-0 win over a hapless Wests Tigers.

The Storm raced to a 34-0 lead by halftime in their Sunday afternoon clash at AAMI Park, then answered coach Craig Bellamy’s demand to keep their opponents scoreless.

A record-breaking Papenhuyzen was almost untouchable as he scored three times in the opening 17 minutes, using his game smarts and speed to cut the Tigers’ defence to shreds.

The electric fullback then crossed for his fourth try in the 46th minute to equal his previous best try tally.

Papenhuyzen’s goal-kicking brought up a personal tally of 36 points, breaking Matt Geyer’s 26-year-old record for the most points by a Storm player in a match.

The result also equalled Melbourne’s biggest ever win, which coincidentally came against Wests Tigers in 2001.

The result also equalled Melbourne’s biggest ever win, which coincidentally came against Wests Tigers in 2001

The Tigers have now won five and lost five games at the start of the 2025 season, moving to 10th in the league

Still waiting to make his Origin debut, Papenhuyzen put his hand up to wear the NSW No 1 jersey or for a utility role when the squad is named next week.

Coach Marshall was part of the most recent Wests Tigers side to beat the Storm, back in 2018, with lock Alex Twal the only player remaining from that line-up.

But those celebratory times were a distant memory as Melbourne gave the Tigers, who entered the match on the back of two wins, a premiership reality check.

Nelson Asofa-Solomona, one of only two Storm players remaining from the 2018 side who suffered a one-point loss to Wests, had a barnstorming game off the bench with eight tackle busts.

Playing only his second match of the season due to suspension, concussion and then fitness issues, the giant prop gave the Tigers’ right-hand side defence nightmares, then charged over for a second-half try.

The Storm hit the 50-0 mark with 20 minutes left on the clock, with second-rower Eli Katoa running on to a Cameron Munster pass.

Coach Bellamy was delighted they kept their opponents from crossing the line, as well as their points spree

Full-time couldn’t have come soon enough for the visitors.

But Melbourne weren’t done, with tries by Munster and Bronson Garlick adding to the misery as the hosts sought to make a statement after blowing a likely victory over Canberra last round due to poor discipline.

Coach Bellamy was delighted they kept their opponents from crossing the line, as well as their points spree.

‘For me, it’s always probably the defensive game, and we probably haven’t stood up to those standards that we probably expected earlier in the year,’ he said.

‘It’s only one breath, but it was much improved as the Tigers can throw plenty at you, so that was the most pleasing thing for me, but I thought we scored some really good tries as well.

‘It was a pretty complete performance.’