Jahrome Hughes dislocated his left shoulder in what will be a major blow to Melbourne’s premiership hopes – and an injury that has tipped the top-four race on its head.
Hughes immediately clutched at his left shoulder when he tried to tackle Sydney Roosters skipper James Tedesco in the 43rd minute of their clash on Thursday night.
The Storm No. 7 looked in discomfort, with TV reports later confirming medical staff were struggling to put his shoulder back into place. An ambulance was called to take him to hospital because of the pain.
Despite all the drama surrounding Hughes, the Storm somehow triumphed 34-30 over the Roosters.
Harry Grant stepped up and produced one of the great captain’s knocks, scoring a try, setting up two, and even coming up with a crucial tackle on Angus Crichton late in the game.
Sam Walker was excellent for the home side, with his right boot setting up four tries.
Walker lost his own halves partner Sandon Smith to a failed HIA early in the game, but stood up when his team needed him in attack.
Their finals hopes are not over, but it will be hard from here. They should have won, especially once Hughes went down. They had Cronulla on the ropes last week, but lost their way.
Harry Grant of the Storm celebrates scoring a try with Tyran Wishart.Credit: Getty Images
Daniel Tupou deserved a try double – and almost had a hat-trick – while the sight of Lindsay Collins leaping high for a kick to score, a la Origin I in Adelaide in 2023, never gets old.
But the Roosters will need to dig deep from here on in, starting with Manly.
As for Melbourne, the storyline will be Hughes.
Cameron Munster missed the Roosters clash so he could be in Rockhampton on Friday for his father’s funeral, and will return next Thursday for the clash against Parramatta. Jonah Pezet is more of an organising half who is expected to be pulled from Queensland Cup duty this weekend.
But Hughes, last year’s Dally M winner, is so important to the Storm, and always thrives in the big moments.
Melbourne fans will not need reminding their side has a tough run home with two games against the Broncos – a premiership threat looking to break into the top four themselves – as well as the Panthers and Bulldogs.
Jahrome Hughes of the Storm leaves the field injured.Credit: Getty Images
At least Grant finished the night fit, with his performance out of dummy-half one of his best to date. And there is a fair catalogue of games to choose from when it comes to the Queensland and Australian dummy-half.
The Storm were already missing Ryan Papenhuyzen because of a calf complaint, but Grant refused to concede.
Coach Craig Bellamy will be entitled to ask a few questions about the officials. There were claims Tedesco was in front of Walker and continued to try and involve himself in the play when Zach Dockar-Clay scored. But the bunker did not intervene, nor did referee Adam Gee have any issues.
Tupou also appeared to bobble a Hughes bomb early in the first half, only for the Roosters to receive a fresh set before the winger was able to score a few minutes later.
The Storm won, but it came at a cost. They will soldier on. The same can’t be said for the Chooks.
