Luke Lewis

Luke Lewis
Luke Lewis
Born	August 11, 1983 (age 43); Australia
Occupation(s)	Rugby league footballer, commentator
Years active	2001–2016 (player)
Known for	Rugby league player for Penrith Panthers and Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks; Australian national team representative; rugby league commentator

Luke Lewis (born 11 August 1983) is a former professional rugby league athlete from Australia who transitioned into a career as a rugby league commentator. During his playing tenure, he represented the Penrith Panthers and Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the National Rugby League (NRL) and also earned caps for the Australian national team.

Lewis's tenure with the Penrith Panthers spanned from 2001 through 2012, highlighted by winning the 2003 NRL Premiership. Beyond club commitments, he played for representative sides including City Origin, New South Wales, and the NRL All Stars. Renowned for his adaptability, Lewis excelled in every first-grade position—covering roles such as winger, centre, lock, second row, five-eighth, and halfback—and received Man of the Match accolades in several of these positions.

Background

Luke Lewis attended Plumpton High School followed by Patrician Brothers' College Blacktown, developing his early rugby league skills with Blacktown City Junior Rugby League Football Club within the Penrith district. In early 2011, he married Sonia Di Loreto; the couple have two children born in 2016 and 2018.

2001

Lewis debuted in first-grade NRL for the Penrith Panthers during Round 25 of the 2001 NRL season, coming off the interchange bench against the Melbourne Storm at Etihad Stadium in a 28–24 defeat. That season, he participated in three matches.

2002

In Round 3 versus the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, Lewis recorded his inaugural NRL try despite an 18–10 loss at Remondis Stadium. He concluded the 2002 NRL season with an impressive tally of 17 tries across 23 appearances, including two hat-trick performances.

2003

Playing on the wing, Lewis contributed to Penrith's 18–6 triumph over the Sydney Roosters in the 2003 NRL grand final. Throughout that year, he featured in 25 games and amassed 18 tries. Although selected for the Kangaroos’ 2003 Tour squad, he did not take part in any matches.

2004

Following their premiership win, Penrith faced Super League VIII champions Bradford Bulls in the 2004 World Club Challenge, where Lewis played at centre during a 22–4 defeat. He represented NSW City Origin at centre, scoring a try in a narrow 22–18 loss to NSW Country Origin. Lewis appeared in all three games of the 2004 State of Origin series for New South Wales, occupying wing and centre positions. He ended the season having played 21 matches and scored 11 tries for Penrith. Although selected again for the 2004 Kangaroo tour, he withdrew due to undergoing shoulder reconstruction surgery.

2005

Lewis took to the field at centre for NSW City, scoring a try in their 29–22 victory held in Lismore. He wrapped up the 2005 NRL season with participation in 19 games and crossing for 12 tries.

2006

Appearing once more at centre for City Origin during a 12–10 loss in Dubbo, Lewis celebrated his milestone 100th NRL match in Round 11 against the Parramatta Eels, contributing to Penrith’s 30–20 win at Penrith Stadium. His season concluded with 16 appearances and four tries.

2007

Continuing his role at centre for City Origin, Lewis played in a 12–6 loss at Coffs Harbour. That year, he completed the campaign with Penrith by playing 21 matches and scoring six tries.

2008

In May, Lewis was on the verge of signing a four-year contract with the South Sydney Rabbitohs but ultimately withdrew from the informal agreement. He represented City as a lock in the 22-all stalemate against Country held at WIN Stadium. During the 2008 NRL season, Lewis appeared in 17 games and crossed the try line five times for Penrith.

2009

Lewis was designated as the 18th man for Australia's squad in the 2009 Anzac Test but did not take the field. Additionally, he was named 18th man for New South Wales in the first State of Origin match on 3 June in Melbourne, later being called up to replace Glenn Stewart following his suspension. This marked Lewis’s first Origin appearance since 2004. That year, he participated in 15 matches and scored five tries for Penrith. Lewis also toured Europe with Australia during the 2009 Four Nations, making his debut off the bench against England in a 26–16 victory at JJB Stadium. He played in three matches throughout the tournament, scoring one try and starting at lock during the Kangaroos' 46–16 triumph over England in the final.

2010

In the 2010 Anzac Test, Lewis featured at second-row as Australia edged New Zealand 12–8. Throughout the 2010 State of Origin series, he took part in Games 1 and 3, missing Game 2 due to suspension. Playing alongside Penrith teammates Michael Gordon, Trent Waterhouse, and Michael Jennings, Lewis contributed to Queensland's fifth straight series win. His performances earned him Penrith’s Player of the Year honors as the club secured second place on the NRL ladder. He also received the 2010 Dally M Lock of the Year accolade. Across the 2010 NRL season, Lewis played 21 games and scored five tries.

Selected again for Australia's squad in the 2010 Four Nations, Lewis scored twice against England and set up a try for Willie Tonga, earning Man of the Match honors despite sustaining an injury. He lined up at second-row during Australia’s narrow 16–12 defeat to New Zealand in the final at Suncorp Stadium.

2011

Lewis appeared off the bench in Games 2 and 3 of the 2011 State of Origin series under new coach Ricky Stuart. In Game 2, he scored a try with his very first touch, aiding NSW to an 18–8 win, although Queensland ultimately secured their sixth consecutive series victory. For Penrith in the 2011 NRL season, Lewis completed 14 matches and scored four tries.

He also represented Australia during the 2011 Four Nations tournament held in the UK, crossing for a try against England at Wembley Stadium in a 36–20 win.

2012

In February, Lewis came off the interchange bench for the NRL All Stars team during their 28–12 victory over the Indigenous All Stars. In Round 5 against his soon-to-be club, the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, Lewis reached his milestone of 200 NRL games. Selected for the 2012 Anzac Test, he played at lock for Australia as they defeated New Zealand 20–12 at Eden Park.

The 2012 State of Origin series was marked by controversy when Penrith coach Ivan Cleary removed Lewis from captaincy duties, appointing hooker Kevin Kingston as interim captain. Kingston retained this role throughout the season, a decision widely regarded as influencing Lewis’ eventual exit from Penrith. Lewis participated in all three Origin matches starting at lock and was recognized as one of NSW’s top performers despite losing the series.

Although under contract with Penrith until 2014, on 9 July 2012 Lewis was released from his remaining two years—a move that surprised many within rugby league circles. On 20 July, he signed a four-year deal with Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, turning down offers from the Wests Tigers, Newcastle Knights, and Parramatta Eels. This transfer reunited him with former Penrith teammates Ben Pomeroy and Wade Graham, as well as fellow teammate Michael Gordon. Lewis was notably the final player from Penrith’s 2003 Grand Final squad to depart, concluding his last season at Penrith in 2012 after playing 13 games and scoring two tries.

2013

During the 2013 NRL season, Lewis transitioned to the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks amidst the club’s upheaval caused by an ASADA investigation into prohibited substances. He made his debut in Round 1 facing the Gold Coast Titans at , playing a role in a narrow 12–10 victory at Remondis Stadium. In Round 7 against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, Lewis registered his first try for Cronulla, despite the team falling 24–8 at Central Coast Stadium.

Lewis was selected to represent Australia in the 2013 Anzac Test, where he scored a try off the bench contributing to a 32–12 triumph over New Zealand at Canberra Stadium. His impressive showing earned him a place in New South Wales’ squad for the 2013 State of Origin series. Concluding his debut season with Cronulla, Lewis tallied four tries across 20 games and was named in Australia’s squad for the 2013 Rugby League World Cup. Unfortunately, during the match against Fiji, he sustained a dislocated shoulder after colliding with an advertising board while scoring.

2014

Upon recovery, Lewis returned to action in Round 9 against the Parramatta Eels, stepping into the five-eighth role due to Todd Carney’s injury.

He was included on the interchange bench for New South Wales in Game 1 of the 2014 State of Origin series at Suncorp Stadium, marking the centenary State of Origin match and helping secure a 12–8 win. Lewis also appeared from the bench during Game 2’s 6–4 victory, which ended Queensland’s eight-year dominance. He participated in Game 3, which resulted in a 32–8 defeat. In Round 21, Lewis suffered a leg injury that ended his season prematurely, finishing the season with one try from eight outings.

2015

Appointed captain of Cronulla's squad for the 2015 Auckland Nines, Lewis later withdrew because of injury. For the 2015 Anzac Test, he was selected again for Australia, coming off the interchange bench in the Kangaroos’ 26–12 loss.

In Round 13 versus the Sydney Roosters, Lewis reached a milestone by scoring his 100th NRL career try during Cronulla's 10–4 victory at Remondis Stadium. Round 18 saw him play his 250th NRL game against the St George Illawarra Dragons, where he also crossed for a try in Cronulla-Sutherland’s 28–8 win. Lewis wrapped up the 2015 NRL season having played 22 matches and scoring 11 tries for Cronulla-Sutherland.

2016

On 28 January, Lewis was appointed co-captain alongside Chris Heighington for Cronulla’s squad in the 2016 Auckland Nines. On 2 October, he celebrated winning the NRL Premiership with Cronulla-Sutherland and was awarded the prestigious 2016 Clive Churchill Medal as man of the match in the Grand Final.

On 24 November, Lewis extended his contract by one year, committing to remain with Cronulla-Sutherland through to 2017.

2017

Lewis became only the second player from Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, following Chris Heighington, to join the exclusive 300 games club when he reached this milestone during a home game against the South Sydney Rabbitohs on 21 July 2017.

2018

Throughout the 2018 NRL season, Lewis was largely unable to play due to a calf injury, yet his steady performances had led to expectations of a contract renewal. Ultimately, he decided to retire, explaining, "I kept pushing through, but once I began doubting myself, I realized it was the right moment to call it quits."

In his concluding year with Cronulla, he appeared in 17 matches. His final game was a 22-6 defeat in the preliminary final against Melbourne at AAMI Park, during which he crossed the try line.

Statistics


Year	Team	Games	Tries	Pts
2001	Template:Leagueicon Penrith Panthers	3
2002		23	17	68
2003		25	18	72
2004		21	11	44
2005		19	12	48
2006		16	4	16
2007		21	6	24
2008		17	5	20
2009		15	5	20
2010		21	5	20
2011		14	4	16
2012		13	2	8
2013	Template:Leagueicon Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks	20	4	16
2014		8	1	4
2015		22	11	44
2016		26	7	28
2017		23	6	24
2018		17	4	16

Career totals: 324 appearances, 122 tries, 488 points

Commentary career

Following his retirement from professional play, Lewis transitioned into broadcasting by joining the ABC Radio Grandstand NRL commentary team, where he applied his deep knowledge of the game to deliver insightful commentary.

External links