Hughes far too important to let walk, says Storm manager
MELBOURNE has made premiership-winning halfback Jahrome Hughes a priority signing, with Storm football manager Frank Ponissi declaring: “We don’t just let players like that walk out the door.”
Hughes has attracted interest from rival clubs following his standout season, steering the Storm to the title.
The 26-year-old’s manager
Chris Orr said during grand final week that the versatile back would assess his options after a brilliant season in the halves.
Hughes, off contract at the end of 2021, is a free agent from November 1, this Sunday. His transition from fullback last season to halfback has impressed other NRL clubs, but Melbourne is determined to keep him.
Ponissi will kickstart the resigning process in coming weeks.
“Jahrome is vital,” he said about Hughes, who has played 51 NRL games since joining the Storm in 2017. “He is our halfback, and he is a really important player in the team.
“He is a really valued member of the squad, in terms of him being really popular with the players and staff. He is in our emerging leaders’ group, so he plays a significant role.”
Ponissi revealed the Storm had put “enormous” hours in to helping Hughes transform into a consistent NRL starter, following stints at the Gold Coast and North Queensland.
“When he first arrived at the club, he had to have surgery on his back,” he said. “He has had a few injuries in the early part of his career, but we backed him and believed in him.
“To have a player like that who is valued so importantly in the team and you’ve invested so much, you are not just going to see him walk out the door.”
League immortal Andrew Johns urged Hughes to stay with a proven club such as the Storm.
“Cameron Smith will more than likely retire, so a lot more responsibility on him then,” Johns told Wide World of Sports. “But they are so well drilled, he just has to do his job and knows what his job is. Clubs would be really interested (in) him ... but it would be a struggling club. So, stay down there.
“Stay in a strong system.”