SPINE TO PROTECT PURPLE REIGN
MELBOURNE Storm has shored up its spine for the foreseeable future after three of its biggest stars signed multimillion-dollar contract extensions this week.
Premiership halfback Jahrome Hughes, Maroons stars Harry Grant and Xavier Coates will all be in purple for years to come.
Hughes and gun winger Coates have signed until the end of 2026, while Grant – who was being targeted by the new Dolphins franchise – has been locked away until the end of 2025.
Dynamic fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen is also tied up at the Storm until the end of 2025.
Attention is now set to turn to star five-eighth Cameron Munster, who has bounced back strongly from his off-season white powder scandal and rehab stint.
Munster is contracted until the end of next season.
Speaking at the club’s 2012 premiership reunion function, Storm chairman Matt Tripp said the contract extensions gave the club “great confidence heading into the future”.
“We now have a quality spine, our skipper, an exciting winger and some great young talent all locked away for a few years,” Tripp said.
“We know the three are quality players and, more importantly, quality people.
“We are proud of the strong culture we have built across the entire club and will always work hard to
keep good people.” Grant said he felt he owed it to Melbourne to stay on at the club.
“We have a core group of players who have now signed up for a few extra years which definitely helped with my decision,” Grant said. “If we can keep that core group together for a long period of time, it only helps with getting the success we all want.
“The club gave me an opportunity when I started with under-20s and then again when I was on loan at Wests Tigers, so to come back and get the opportunity to stay longer is really exciting.”
Hughes, who is tipped by many to be a future Storm captain, said he looked forward to taking on more leadership duties in the coming years.
“I have a lot of faith in the players coming through and the coaching staff, so it was an easy decision to make in the end,” Hughes said.
“The club is really well run and we wanted to keep as many of the boys here as possible, so it’s great to sign on with the other boys. With a few leaders moving on next year, we all have to step up and I need to be one of those to take on that challenge.”
Coates is still only in his first season at Melbourne since crossing from the Broncos but has already impressed both club bosses and fans alike.
He said he had no hesitation in extending his deal at Storm.
“From the moment I landed in Melbourne, I have loved my time here and everyone has made me feel so welcome,” Coates said.
“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else to be honest.
“I’ve had the most enjoyable time here and the club has been so welcoming and I can’t wait to pull on the purple jersey for a few more years.”