Melbourne halfback Jahrome Hughes a chance to return for finals despite dislocated

Melbourne won the game, but lost Jahrome Hughes to what appeared to be a season-ending shoulder injury - but scans on Friday morning have left Storm fans feeling hopeful all is not lost.

Melbourne star Jahrome Hughes could be back for the finals after initial testing suggested he would only be sidelined for six weeks.

Hughes still needs to undergo an MRI scan to check for further damage but there is now genuine hope in Melbourne that he could be back in time to join in the club’s premiership campaign.

Hughes dislocated his shoulder early in the second half of the club’s win over the Sydney Roosters on Thursday night and was rushed to hospital by ambulance after the club’s medical staff struggled to get the shoulder back in place.

Scans at the hospital revealed there was no damage to the bone and it is understood the initial prognosis is that Hughes will face a six-week recovery.

That should mean he is back on the field in time for the club to kick off their finals - they are currently in second spot.

Jahrome Hughes leaves the field after dislocating his shoulder. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Hughes faces a long and painful recovery. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

HE IS A TOUGH BASTARD

Tyran Wishart is expected to play in the halves alongside Cameron Munster in the short term while Jonah Pezet - a natural half - shapes as another option, having made a successful return from injury in recent weeks.

“Obviously wait and see with Hughesy,” Wishart said.

“He is a tough bastard so we will wait and see what happens. But any chance I get to start, I love it.”

Prop Stefano Utoikamanu added: “Hopefully it is not too bad even though it looked like it could be.

“Fingers crossed he is coming back in the next couple of weeks. When he came off the field my stomach dropped a little bit.”

The 22-year-old Pezet has had rotten luck with injuries in recent years but his time may have now arrived as coach Craig Bellamy weighs up what to do next.

Wishart, who has regularly deputised in the halves, shapes as the immediate option but Pezet is a more natural halfback and could be given an opportunity to wear the No.7 jersey as well.

Tyran Wishart is expected to replace Hughes at halfback. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

EPIC STORM VICTORY

The injury came as the Storm produced one of the gutsiest wins in club history.

The Storm were already missing Ryan Papenhuyzen, Cameron Munster and Nelson Asofa-Solomona for the trip to Sydney, and things only got worse with their superstar halfback going down in the second half of their stunning 34-30 victory at Allianz Stadium while attempting to make a tackle on James Tedesco.

The injury has thrown the premiership race wide open with the grand final favourites hoping to have him back for the finals.

Jahrome Hughes has come from the field in 'a world of pain' after this tackle.

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HARRY HOUDINI

The Hughes injury could have killed the Storm’s confidence, but that’s not possible when Harry Grant is still out there calling the shots.

The Storm skipper has done some special things throughout his career but this might have been his finest performance as he set up two tries for his props in the second half and asked question after question through the middle.

Harry Grant was sensational for Melbourne. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

It was a true captain’s knock from Grant who saw Hughes and Tyran Wishart set up first-half tries with kicks before he darted through to score a slashing solo try.

He watched on as Nick Meaney missed a penalty goal that would have tied things up with 10 minutes to go, but he came up with the clutch play when he ran it on the last and put Stefano Utoikamanu over for the winner.

The Storm move back into second spot for now and just need to navigate the next month in the hope that their main man returns for the big games.

KICK AND STICK

While most people celebrate Christmas in July, this felt like a grand final in July for the Roosters who are now long odds to make the top eight.

The loss of Sandon Smith midway through the first half to a head knock threatened to derail their finals hopes, but Sam Walker’s right boot gave them hope with four try assists.

The Roosters enjoyed plenty of success in the air, although their fifth try – which gave them the lead – was highly controversial with James Tedesco appearing to be in front of his halfback.

But a costly grubber from Sam Walker went dead and gave the Storm seven tackles which led to a Nick Meaney try, with the Roosters set to finish the round four points outside the top eight.

TOP FIVE TUPOU

All eyes are on Alex Johnston as he closes in on Ken Irvine’s try-scoring record, but Roosters veteran Daniel Tupou deserves plenty of accolades after he entered the top five on Thursday night.

The high-flying winger moved past former teammate Brett Morris into outright fifth spot after he crossed twice in the opening half, with Tupou likely to leapfrog Steve Menzies later this year.

Tupou finished off a slick scrum move to score the first try of the night and then flew high to claim a Walker kick to complete his double.

He should have had a third but dropped the ball over the line with 12 minutes remaining with his side ahead by two, with the bombed chance proving very costly.

Originally published as Melbourne halfback Jahrome Hughes a chance to return for finals despite dislocated