Melbourne are set to land a huge signature with Dally M Medal winner Jahrome Hughes close to extending his tenure at the club but Queensland captain Cameron Munster and rising star Jonah Pezet could be heading out the door.
Hughes is reportedly close to inking a new deal until the end of 2028 which will keep the injured halfback out of the clutches of expansion sides Perth Bears and PNG.
But his decision is set to trigger a request for a release from the manager of young playmaker Jonah Pezet, who has a clause in his contract to become a free agent if Hughes re-signs at the Storm.
Munster’s situation is being closely monitored by Perth with foundation coach Mal Meninga keen to make the Maroons star the cornerstone of the new franchise, according to a NewsCorp report.
The 30-year-old dual premiership winner is under contract until the end of next season and is unable to negotiate with rival teams until November 1 unless he successfully requests permission from Melbourne.
Hughes is out until the finals after injuring his shoulder last Thursday in the win over the Roosters and Tyran Wishart has declared he is ready to wear the No.7 jersey, adamant Melbourne’s title hopes won’t dwindle with the first-choice halfback sidelined.
The Storm will decide on Tuesday how to cover for Hughes for the rest of the regular season, after he dislocated his shoulder against Sydney Roosters.
Wishart appears the most likely option, having become Melbourne’s Mr Fix It in recent years and filling in several spots in the spine and backline.
Pezet would loom as the other alternative, albeit with the 22-year-old in the midst of a steady return from last year’s ACL rupture.
Hughes is close to the hardest man to replace in Melbourne’s team, with the Kiwi halfback the Storm’s chief organiser in a star-studded spine.
Jahrome Hughes leaves the field injured. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
But while Wishart and Munster both tend to be run-first playmakers, the younger playmaker insisted the pair could make it work together in the halves.
“We’re naturally probably both runners,” Wishart said. “But Munster, he’s really good at organising as well. Obviously when Hughes is there, he just does most of it.
“And I didn’t mind doing it (last week) as well when I had to.
“The more you train with someone, the more games you get together, you work out a combination. If they do go that way, I’d love to partner with Munny in the halves.”
Wishart had his best patch of football last year for the Storm, first filling in for Hughes for two weeks and then Munster when the five eighths suffered a serious groin injury.
If he was to be given the No.7 jersey for the next six weeks until finals, a similar chance would exist.
“Naturally it’s always a good thing playing game after game in the same position,” Wishart said.
“You form combinations. I enjoy doing that.
“With our full-strength team, I know my role is that 14. I do what I can to play my best there.
“But obviously, if I can notch a few games back to back, hopefully I’ll keep improving my footy.”
Third-placed Melbourne’s effort to come back and beat the Roosters last week with Hughes off the field could prove crucial, as they fight for a top-two finish.
That would allow the Storm to remain in Melbourne until grand final week if they keep winning.
In the worst-case scenario a drop in form would leave the Storm at risk of dropping out of the top four, with a brutal run home ahead of the finals.
But Wishart rejected any suggestion Melbourne were out of the race because of Hughes’ injury.
“Honestly, people can say what they want … We wouldn’t pay too much attention to that,” Wishart said.
“We know what we can do. Our team probably isn’t based off too many individuals. That’s our main strength.
“But as long as we believe in ourselves, I think we can definitely do it.”
with AAP
