'I'm built different': Mind over matter the key in Luai's return

Panthers five-eighth Jarome Luai believes his mindset has played the biggest part in his remarkable return from a shoulder injury ahead of preparing for the club's fourth-straight grand final. 

Luai got through 60 minutes in the preliminary final victory over the Storm on Friday night less than a month since dislocating his shoulder against the Eels in Round 26. 

Every expert in the game has had their say on Luai's injury, including physios and doctors from rival clubs or sports who believe it was a risk to put the Panthers star on the field in a grand final qualifier. 

However, Panthers medical staff were always confident the damage done to Luai's shoulder could be managed through the finals and while the livewire didn't look 100 percent, it was enough to cause the Storm headaches.

"Tell the doctors I’m built different brother," Luai said in response to calls he wouldn't line up on Friday night.

"I didn’t really listen to the outside noise, there was always going to be a lot of that and I didn’t allow doubts to creep into my mind. I was always confident that I was going to be ready and put the work in.

"The boys would say I’m weird because that night [suffering the injury] I was saying I’d be back in two weeks and I didn’t even know what the damage was.

"They thought I was joking about it but I actually really believed that. I manifested and I think that belief was what got me back tonight.

"I didn’t let [re-injuring] that creep into my mind anyway. The tape restricts it from going out where you don’t want it to go, but in terms of range of movement, I’ve got full range.

"I knew I could get the job done and I got the reps throughout the week and was happy with how it went."

Luai indicated he did not require a pain-killing injection to take the field as they cause him an upset stomach and may even avoid surgery in the off-season.

The 26-year-old won't be available for Samoa in the Pacific Championships if he needs to go under the knife next month. 

"I’m pretty good with pain and playing with it," he said.

"Pain is only temporary in my mind and I had the boys’ backing and I’m glad we were able to get the job done and I was able to get an early mark as well.

"I was more proving to myself. I know I seem confident to everyone, but deep down I knew two nights ago that if I couldn’t get through that session and didn’t feel good then I had to drop my ego and put the team first.

"I came through the better side and knew I could get the job done.

"[Ivan] left it in my hands [to make a final call], which is pretty cool from a coach coming into a prelim."

Meanwhile, Luai indicated he will make a call on his future following the season with the two-time premiership winner coming off contract at the end of 2024 and free to negotiate with rival clubs from November 1.

"It is [on the back burner] and I think it was important to make that call," he said.

"You don’t come by grand finals and you want to limit every distraction that you can.

"I’m fully focused on what I need to do for this next week and making sure my mind and body’s right."