Jahrome Hughes shines in first game as Billy Slater’s replacement

Jahrome Hughes has passed his first test in replacing Billy Slater with flying colours, starring in Melbourne’s victory over Brisbane in the season opener.

Hughes was in great form at fullback. AAP Image/Daniel Pockett.

• GOT HIM: Melbourne blunt Seibold’s Broncos

• NEXT GEN: Slater wants Ponga in Origin

Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy heaped praise on budding fullback Jahrome Hughes’ standout performance.

Hughes scored the first try of the game, at the northern end, in front of the newly-named Billy Slater Stand, and then paced the Storm attack with probing runs out of the backfield.

He finished with 218 metres across the ground.

“I thought he was outstanding,” Bellamy said.

“He had a whole heap of runs, he was very effective.

“His test will be to be consistent with that.”

Hughes was in great form at fullback. AAP Image/Daniel Pockett.

Slater has been instrumental in shaping Hughes’ game during the off-season and the speedster, according to Bellamy, has obviously been taking good notes.

“Obviously some signs there that Jahrome has been taking a fair bit of notice,” Bellamy said.

“It’s hard to replace a Billy Slater, for so long he’s been playing quality footy.

“Billy’s been a big part of that, really helping with our young fullbacks, I don’t think we had a better player there tonight than Jahrome Hughes.”

The Storm outlasted the Broncos in a defensive grind at AAMI Park, scoring four tries in an emphatic start to the 2019 season.

Despite the Broncos getting back into the game late Bellamy praised his team’s resilience and ability to withstand the pressure early in the piece.

Hughes made every post a winner in the season opener. Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images.

The Storm dominated territory and possession, making it impossible for the Broncos to get close to the red zone in the first half.

“I thought it was a very high quality game for Round 1,” Bellamy said.

“There was a lot of pressure, at times, from both sides.

“There were good completions, especially in the second half, I thought the Broncos hung in really well after we got that 10-0.

“I thought they were really gutsy (but) I think we can certainly improve our attack without a doubt.”

After battling with ball control and completions throughout the preseason trial games the Storm last night held onto the Steeden and converted accordingly.

But Bellamy is careful not to get too comfortable.

“We’re not patting ourselves on the back too early, we need to be consistent at that as well.”

Originally published as Jahrome Hughes shines in first game as Billy Slater’s replacement