NRL news: Lui reveals unorthodox ritual, Addo-Carr facing hefty ban for arrest, Storm legend wary of Roosters

Long before the preliminary final kicks off at Accor Stadium, Penrith five-eighth Jerome Luai will take to the field for a weekly ritual.

There, the star number five will perform a ritual that will hold added significance as he is about to play his final game for his beloved Panthers.

Win a Ziggy BBQ on Grand Finals day, thanks to Barbecue Galore! Enter here.

Each week, Louis comes to the field a few hours before the match starts, sits on the ground in front of the goalposts, and spends a few moments of quiet time alone.

The triple premiership winner paused the music in his headphones, and considered his plans for the opening two sets of the game.

“I’m not really worrying about the result or the outcome, just worrying about staying in the present, getting myself right before kick-off and keeping the energy at a high level,” Louis said.

It’s also a weekly opportunity for the famously affable Louis to establish himself.

Jerome Louis celebrates with teammates. (Photo: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

“We put a lot of focus on mental preparation,” Louis said.

“I’m very loud in training and around the boys, so I have to distance myself from all the boys and make sure I’m not around anyone so I can do that.

“For me, making sure I am clear about my role, enjoying the stadium and the atmosphere, that’s where I do my mental preparation.

“I try to do that before every game and I’ll do that this week as well.”

Losing to the Sharks on Saturday night would end the Panthers’ dream of reaching a fifth consecutive grand final, something they haven’t achieved in 53 years.

It will also end Lui’s Panthers career, almost 11 years after he played Harold Matthews Cup for the club as a teenager, and 130 games since his NRL debut in 2018.

The 27-year-old will join the Wests Tigers until 2025, the latest high-profile Panther to exit due to salary cap pressures.

Louis said his ritual of sitting in front of the goalpost was part of making sure he was present during emotional times.

“(It’s) about making every moment count, I think that comes across a bit more strongly with the emotions and things like that,” he added.

“This gives me more motivation to make sure I am giving my best in every game.”

Louis spends the entire season trying to control his emotions about his impending departure.

He enjoyed a fine run of form playing halfback in the absence of the injured Nathan Cleary earlier in the year, but now with the Panthers’ season on the line things will be stepped up a notch.

“It’s a do or die situation now, whether it’s your last ride or not, if we lose it’s the last game of the year,” he said.

“When the stakes are at their highest, the intensity of the game and your preparation is also that much higher.”

NRL hands out severe punishment to Addo-Carr

The NRL has punished Josh Addo-Carr for his drug-impaired driving arrest, issuing the Canterbury winger with an infringement notice for bringing the game into disrepute.

NRL officials confirmed on Tuesday that Addo-Carr would be banned for the incident, after he faced the integrity unit last week.

As per the rules of the game, HQ does not publish details of sanctions, however, he is likely to face a ban of around four matches and a fine of $15,000, which includes the $3000 fine he was imposed for his involvement in the infamous Koori Knockout brawl last year.

Because he withdrew from Canterbury’s elimination final, this could be taken into account when his ban is imposed.

Addo-Carr has continued to claim he has no idea how the cocaine found during a roadside check this month got into his body, arguing he had not taken any illicit drugs.

The 29-year-old has until next Tuesday to respond to the infringement notice, but the reality is his biggest battle is against the Bulldogs.

Canterbury officials have yet to decide what action they will take against him, but in all likelihood he has played his last game for the club.

Bulldogs boss Phil Gould said last week it was too early to say whether Addo-Carr would be shown the door.

“I believe he’s still protesting his innocence, but eventually when he takes a drug test it will be in his system,” Gould said on 100% Footy last week.

“How it got there, he has to find out and explain it to people.

“(The board) may or may not accept my recommendation. They may or may not have a different viewpoint.

Josh Addo-Carr. (Photo: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)

“Ultimately, we will do what we think is in the long-term best interests of the club, it’s as simple as that, and all the players understand that: club first, team second, individual third. That’s what we will do.”

Addo-Carr has already accepted a $682 fine and a three-month driving ban from New South Wales Police following a roadside check on September 6.

The test also forced him to withdraw from Canterbury’s elimination final against Manly, which they lost 24–22.

If Addo-Carr is sacked by the Bulldogs and signed by a rival, any sanctions imposed by the NRL will continue while Addo-Carr is at another club.

Roosters won’t be intimidated by Storm, says Smith

Melbourne legend Cameron Smith is concerned the Roosters are set to beat the Storm in Friday night’s preliminary final at AAMI Park.

“You just have to think about last year,” Smith said on SEN. “They met each other in the second week of the finals and you just have to remember that the Roosters were ahead.

“In the last minute, Cam Munster kicked to Will Warbrick and then made a miraculous catch to give the Storm the win. The Roosters won’t go into Melbourne with any worries or concerns. I think they’ll be pretty confident, especially with the way they played at the weekend.”