LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
The impact of the fall caused Luai's shoulder to dislocate, forcing him to leave the field in significant pain.
Panthers coach Ivan Cleary confirmed the injury after the match, stating, "It's a dislocated shoulder for Jarome, which is obviously not ideal, especially at this stage of the season."
Luai's absence will be a major blow for the Panthers as they enter the finals series.
The five-eighth has been a key playmaker for the team, providing creativity and speed in attack.
His partnership with halfback Nathan Cleary has been instrumental in the Panthers' success this season.
The injury comes at a particularly unfortunate time for Luai, who was enjoying a breakout year and was in contention for selection in the New South Wales State of Origin team.
His chances of earning a representative jersey may now be in jeopardy.
In addition to Luai's injury, the Panthers also suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of the Eels.
The loss marks a disappointing end to the regular season for the Panthers, who had previously been the dominant force in the competition.
Panthers captain James Tamou expressed his frustration with the team's performance, describing the defeat as "embarrassing." He acknowledged the need for the team to regroup and refocus ahead of the finals.
The defeat also raises questions about the Panthers' form heading into the finals.
After a dominant start to the season, the team has now lost three of their last four matches.
They will need to address any underlying issues and regain momentum if they hope to be competitive in the finals.
Despite the loss, the Panthers still finished the regular season in first place on the ladder, securing the minor premiership.
This achievement provides them with a valuable advantage heading into the finals, including a potential home ground advantage in the early stages of the playoffs.
With just two weeks until the finals begin, the Panthers will now have to quickly adjust their game plan and find a replacement for Luai.
The team's depth will be tested, and other players will need to step up in his absence.