Melbourne has made premiership-winning halfback Jahrome Hughes a priority signing

Jahrome Hughes has become a premiership-winning halfback after initially struggling to make the NRL, so there is no way Melbourne wants to lose him.

Jahrome Hughes is a priority signing for the Melbourne Storm after his premiership-winning season from halfback. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Melbourne has made premiership-winning halfback Jahrome Hughes a priority signing, with football manager Frank Ponissi declaring: “We don‘t just let players like that walk out the door.”

Hughes has attracted interest from rival clubs following his standout season steering the Storm to the title.

The 26-year-old’s manager Chris Orr declared during grand final week that the versatile back would assess his options after a brilliant season in the halves.

Hughes is off contract at the end of 2021 and is a free agent from November 1, this Sunday.

His successful transition from fullback last season to halfback has impressed clubs across the NRL, but Melbourne is determined to retain his services.

Ponissi will kickstart the re-signing process in the coming weeks.

“Jahrome is vital,” Ponissi said about Hughes, who has played 51 NRL games since joining the Storm in 2017.

“He is our halfback, and he is a really important player in the team.

“He is a really valued member of the squad, in terms of him being really popular with the players and staff.

“He is in our emerging leaders’ group, so he plays a significant role.”

Jahrome Hughes isn’t going anywhere if Melbourne has their way. Picture; Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Ponissi revealed the Storm had also dedicated “enormous” hours to helping Hughes transform into a consistent NRL starter following stints at the Gold Coast and North Queensland.

“When he first arrived at the club, he had to have surgery on his back,” he said.

“He has had a few injuries in the early part of his career, but we backed him and we just believed in him.

“More importantly, he worked bloody hard to get to where he is.

“To have a player like that who is valued so importantly in the team and you’ve invested so much, you are not just going to see him walk out the door.”

League immortal Andrew Johns recently urged Hughes to re-sign with a proven club like the Storm.

“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,” Johns told the Wide World of Sports.

“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.”