‘I’ll be here forever’: Jahrome Hughes makes it clear he wants to stay at Storm ahead of potentially huge offer from the Bears

A Melbourne Storm superstar has delivered a hammer blow to an NRL expansion team, while also speaking out on a sad WTC snub.

Storm halfback Jahrome Hughes has delivered a hammer blow to the newest NRL team’s hopes of luring him to Perth as a franchise player in 2027, declaring his intention is to stay in Melbourne “forever”.

Hughes has been named as the No.1 target for the Bears who will become the NRL’s 18th team in two years.

The reigning Dally M Medal winner is off contract at the end of the 2026 season and could be offered a mouth-watering deal of $1.5m per season by the Bears who would love to build their franchise around him.

But the 30-year-old has no desire to leave the star-studded spine at the Storm, with Hughes joking that he should meet with chief executive Justin Rodski about sorting out a new deal to keep him in Melbourne for the rest of his career.

Jahrome Hughes has poured cold water on a potential move to join the Bears in 2027. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

“I haven’t looked too far ahead with that sort of stuff,” the champion halfback said, with the Storm keen to sort out his future before he becomes a free agent on November 1.

“I think my name’s probably only up there because I’m off contract around that same time.

“I haven’t really thought about it, and if I have it my way then I’ll be here forever, so I might have to talk to ‘J-Rod’ about that.

“I don’t really know what Perth’s like. I heard it’s a nice place, but I haven’t thought about it at all.”

Meanwhile, Hughes concedes the club made a mistake last Friday after a Welcome to Country was cancelled ahead of the game against the Rabbitohs.

The issue has caused deep hurt in the Indigenous community, with Hughes backing the club to make amends.

“I know the club is really apologetic for what happened that night,” he said.

“I know there was a bit of miscommunication and I know the higher-ups at the club know they did the wrong thing.

“They’re trying to make amends at the moment.

“Ever since I’ve been here, we’ve respected all cultures. We have a saying here that if it’s important to one of us, then it’s important for all of us.

“Hopefully, the club can make up for the wrongdoing that’s been done.”

Harry Grant will miss Magic Round as Hughes continues to battle through the pain. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

On the field, the Storm has a tricky clash against the Raiders who have been one of the most exciting teams in the NRL this season.

The Storm is still without injured skipper Harry Grant, with Hughes to again be the main man in attack at Magic Round despite having his own concerns.

“I probably didn’t start the season the way I wanted to with a few (injuries). I broke my hand and then hurt my AC (joint),” he said.

“But I’m good enough to play. I’m probably not 100 per cent, but I’m not too far off.”

Originally published as ‘I’ll be here forever’: Jahrome Hughes makes it clear he wants to stay at Storm ahead of potentially huge offer from the Bears