Andrew Johns fumes over Jahrome Hughes’ agent’s contract talk in Grand Final week

Rugby league Immortal Andrew Johns has taken aim at a new trend of players using the grand final as a tool to push their price up.

Jahrome Hughes at training.

A comment from Melbourne Storm halfback Jahrome Hughes’ manager has sparked fury from NRL Immortal Andrew Johns.

Earlier this week, Hughes’ manager Chris Orr told Wide World of Sports the versatile back would assess his options after a brilliant season in the halves.

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Hughes — who started as a fullback before being moved into the No. 7 jersey — has been brilliant for the Storm in 2020, filling the void left by former halfback Cooper Cronk.

Orr used the lead-up to the Grand Final to float the fact he would be looking for the best deal possible for Hughes, even if that meant Hughes leaving Melbourne.

“After he has had a bit of a break we will think about 2022 and there will be no shortage of interest. He is happy at the Storm but you never know what will happen,” Orr said

“Jahrome was great at fullback last season and has been even better at halfback — he is a special talent.”

Jahrome Hughes has had a great season in 2020.

Hughes’ manager’s move comes a year after rumours Canberra’s English forward John Bateman was shopped around during Grand Final week before the Roosters beat the Raiders.

Bateman had a drawn-out negotiation regarding his future but eventually signed a four-year deal with the Wigan Warriors.

Floating players’ contract options in grand final week — when their good form is in the spotlight — is a trend Johns doesn’t want to see continue.

“Far out — do you reckon he’s got enough on his plate? To worry about that and reading about that leading up to the game, and journos asking him, ‘Hey, you’re off-contract …?’” Johns said on WWOS show Freddy and The Eighth.

“Oh my god — leave him alone. Let him play the biggest game of his life so far.”

Johns continued, calling for Hughes to “stay in Melbourne”.

“Cameron Smith will more than likely retire, so a lot more responsibility on him then. But they are so well-drilled, he just has to do his job and knows what his job is, the players around know what his job is.

“I think clubs would be really interested for him to go to their club, but it would be a struggling club. So, stay down there. Stay in a strong system.”

Andrew Johns was frustrated by the contract ploy.

Johns admitted that Hughes “proved me wrong”, believing the Storm star wasn’t a natural halfback.

But he has been one of the breakout stars of the season.

On Fox League’s NRL 360 on Wednesday night, host Paul Kent slammed the contract soap opera around Hughes.

“Forgive me for being a cynic, waiting for grand final week and starting to shop him around?” Kent said.

“We saw it with John Bateman last year. Is this going to become an annual thing now?

“A young kid who feels he should be on a bit more money gets to grand final and uses that as the opportune time to start spruiking their talents?”