EX-TITAN IN MIDDLE OF SLATER’S SAGA
FORMER Titan Jahrome Hughes reckons he is ready to fill the fullback role should Billy Slater’s hopes of a dream finish be dashed.
Hughes is the man on standby to take Storm No.1 Slater’s place should he be suspended at the NRL judiciary tonight.
The 23-year-old has played 17 top grade games after making his debut for the Titans in 2013.
He has featured in 11 this year but just six at fullback.
“I’ll be ready,” Hughes said. “I’m going to prepare like I’m playing even if I’m not. I’ll be preparing like that.”
“He deserves to play. He has done so much for the game. For him to be rubbed out of his last game and a grand final is a bit sad,” Hughes said.
“If he does get rubbed out I’ll be ready to play. I could go on for hours (about what I’ve learnt). He is one of those players who you pick up from because he is so dominant at training, not just in games.
“Off the field I’ve learnt a lot. I want to see him play.”
Hughes has played in front of more than 20,000 people twice in his career.
He said he would not be overawed by the prospect of playing in front of 80,000 people on Sunday night.
“I will be all right,” said Hughes, who played one game for Gold Coast in 2013 before a stint at the Cowboys and now the Storm.
– MICHAEL CARAYANNIS