There has long been talk that the Panthers stalwart is unhappy at the club, for a number of reasons, including losing the captaincy – but that can all be put to bed, with Luke Lewis stating that he has no intention of seeking a release from the club, and that he aims to regain the captaincy after the Origin period.
Whilst Lewis was disappointed in being stripped of the captaincy to begin with, it is an offer that he will take up from Panthers coach Ivan Cleary – and that is, to lead the Panthers as captain once more for the remainder of the season.
Lewis, who was present at the Harvey Norman ‘Favourite Son’ celebration, originally deflected questions on the matter, and was hesitant to voice his public intentions.
I have made it (decision) in my head but I’m going to keep that to myself,” he said.
Though when Lewis was asked countless times about wanting the captaincy back, he said: “Definitely, 100 per cent, I will take it back.
“I just don’t want that to be the focus now.
“I want the team to be able to focus on themselves and make sure they are right.
“That is what it is all about, the team.
“But when I come back from Origin duties I will take that role on again.”
When the initial decision was made in May to make Panthers hooker Kevin Kingston the captain, Lewis was away on Origin duties.
“I talked to Ivan this morning and I haven’t come up with a decision,” Lewis said at the time.
“I just want to get my head all clear and do what’s right for the team first.”
With a month to contemplate the decision that was made, however, Lewis said that he accepted Cleary’s decision, and that it is now time to move on with the season at hand.
“There is no bigger honour than captaining your club. I understand where they were coming from.
“They wanted to relieve a bit of pressure off me and give the club and the team and the boys a bit of leadership while I wasn’t there.
“It’s been working well. The boys have been training really good. We’ve had a couple of good wins, a couple of not-so-good games. But I 100 per cent understand where they are coming from.”