Why Storm superstar Jahrome Hughes loves ‘flying under the radar’ in Melbourne
Since moving south to play for the Storm, superstar halfback Jahrome Hughes has come to love watching AFL, playing to full AAMI Park crowds – and keeping a low profile.
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It’s been eight years since Jahrome Hughes moved to Melbourne, and the city has well and truly become home for the man recently crowned the NRL’s best player.
“I love it,’’ he says without hesitation.
“It’s so good, a lot of energy. It’s home for us.”
Hughes and wife Molly are loving life under the radar, away from Australia’s NRL heartlands. But in reality, the 30-year-old has become one of this city’s most renowned and accomplished sporting stars.
Hughes – who is set to play his 150th game for the Storm in a grand final rematch against Penrith at AAMI Park on March 20 – has enjoyed a gradual rise to the top echelon of the game.
The star halfback won the Dally M, the NRL’s highest individual honour, in a thrilling vote count last year. It’s hard to keep a low profile when you’re being praised as one of the best running halfbacks ever seen.
One thing that keeps Hughes grounded is his love for cross-code rival AFL.
“We’re catching up a bit and the boys are getting a bit more noticed, and that’s a tribute to the success of the club,’’ he says.
“But I’d rather be flying under the radar. I’d rather watch AFL than rugby league because we live and breathe it, so it’s cool to do something else.
“I like going to the games too. I supported Richmond when I first came, but I’ve met a few of the Doggies boys and I’m pretty close with Bont (Marcus Bontempelli) and Jamarra (Ugle-Hagan) and Ads (Adam Treloar).
“They might get 100,000 at the G, but we love playing at a full AAMI Park with our members.”
Hughes, who was born in Wellington, New Zealand, married Molly in December 2022 after meeting her in high school on the Gold Coast.
He only played one game each at Queensland clubs the Titans and Cowboys after struggling to break into first grade and being plagued by injury.
“She misses her family a lot and still loves the Gold Coast, but (Melbourne) is definitely the next best thing,’’ Hughes says.
“In 2019, we did think about moving but it’s all worked out. Mol has been with me through it all. I definitely wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for her.”
Ahead of the Dally M, Molly packed up their car and drove to Sydney with their beloved border collie, Honey.
With the Storm playing off in the grand final soon afterwards, she wanted the whole family there, especially for Jahrome’s 30th birthday in October. Her mum and her sister drove the car back and the family was back in Melbourne for the Storm Player of the Year awards, where Hughes duly added to his medal collection.
“Molly was definitely the star of the show more than myself,’’ Hughes says.
“Personally, (last year) was one of my best years. But I’ve still got a few things to learn and improve on.”
On the eve of the Dally M, Molly said of her husband: “I’m so proud of him. He’s had a phenomenal year and he’s so happy playing for Melbourne and living in Melbourne.”
Hughes finds it difficult to talk about his own accolades when the team fell short of achieving the ultimate glory.
Penrith defeated the minor premiers Storm, 14–6, to extend their premiership streak to four titles in a row.
The heartbreaking loss served as motivation for the side throughout pre-season.
“We had a good year as a team, but it’s disappointing to end like that and it put a dampener on it,’’ Hughes says.
“We looked at the grand final in our two-week Geelong camp and we didn’t want to not watch. Once we took our learnings, we parked the game and wanted to move on. We didn’t want to dwell on it too much.”
In a nod to the Storm as a club and an organisation, Hughes couldn’t pick one player when asked who he is closest with.
“I feel like we’re the closest playing group I’ve ever been a part of,’’ he says.
“We all enjoy each others’ company and enjoy playing together and they’re all my close friends.”
Hughes has started to show a different side to his normal persona, of being a humble and determined playmaker, by joining forces with fellow Storm stars Cameron Munster and Ryan Papenhuyzen on a podcast called 167.
“When we first started, I was a bit wary,’’ Hughes says.
“But it’s a good chance to be pretty chilled and talk about what we’re doing. The fans enjoy listening to it and we try to offer some insights into our lives and talk about all sorts of things.
“Even though it’s a podcast platform, there are still a lot of eyes on it and the feedback has been awesome.”
It seems not much will faze Hughes, who was recruited to the Storm by eagle-eyed coach Craig Bellamy, playing his first match for the club in 2017. But a powerful haka – performed in his honour by Storm teammates Will Warbrick and Eliesa Katoa and New Zealand teammate Joe Tapine after he won the Dally M – brought a tear to his eye.
“That meant a lot,” Hughes says. “For them to do that was truly special. For myself, my culture and family, it just topped it off.
“To win the award was massive for myself. You look at the quality of players were have in the game, to be up there is a real honour. I am and was very humbled.”
Hughes was just the fourth Storm player to take home the medal, alongside Billy Slater and dual Dally M winners Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk.
Panthers star Nathan Cleary, himself one of the game’s best, offered Hughes some of the highest praise when he won.
“He’s definitely the best running halfback I’ve just about ever seen,’’ Cleary said.
“The way he takes on the line, he’s constantly a threat. I think he’s added a lot of other stuff to his game as well just in terms of game management and ball playing.”
Hughes last year rejected a $6m offer to join Wayne Bennett at the Dolphins so he could remain in Melbourne on much less money.
That loyalty and team-first attitude has endeared him to fans and players alike – and has Melburnians taking notice.
The Storm will host the Penrith Panthers in an NRL Grand Final rematch at AAMI Park, 8pm March 20. Tickets start at $35 for adults and $8 for juniors via Ticketek.
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