Storm, NRL premiership race rocked by Jahrome Hughes’ injury

The Melbourne Storm have been given a positive update after fears gun halfback Jahrome Hughes would miss the rest of the season.

Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy says his side won’t be able to completely recover regardless of who comes in to replace Jahrome Hughes who has avoided surgery and could be back for finals after suffering a bad shoulder injury on Thursday night.

Hughes left the field just minutes into the second half of Melbourne’s gutsy 34-30 win over the Roosters with the club confirming immediately that he’d dislocated his shoulder after landing awkwardly while making a tackle on James Tedesco.

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The reigning Dally M Medal winner was in agony and had to be helped off Allianz Stadium, with Melbourne’s medical staff unable to put it back in and he was sent to hospital needing extreme pain medication.

Jahrome Hughes injured his shoulder against the Roosters. Picture: NRL Photos/Gregg Porteous

On Fridau the club confirmed scans cleared Hughes of any damage requiring surgery, but he’s expected to be sidelined for up to six weeks.

He could yet return for finals.

“Scans on Friday have confirmed that Jahrome does not require immediate surgery on his dislocated shoulder, a club statement said.

“Jahrome will commence his rehab program with the aim of returning for the NRL Finals.”

Despite avoiding surgery, Bellamy was well aware of the significance of the injury

“I experienced it myself. I had both my shoulders reconstructed,” Bellamy said.

“I think the longer they’re out, it’s a bigger problem. The longer it’s out, the more it stretches the ligaments and the muscles around the joint. I don’t think it’s overly good news.”

Hughes was helped off the field after dislocating his shoulder. Picture: NRL Photos/Gregg Porteous

Hughes has had shoulder issues in the past and the premiership favourites who bravely fought on without him as skipper Harry Grant stood tall with superstars Cameron Munster, Ryan Papenhuyzen and Nelson Asofa-Solomona also missing.

Bellamy has two clear options for next week’s game against the Eels, with Tyran Wishart and Jonah Pezet the men most likely to partner Munster in the halves.

He was in agony. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Wishart played five-eighth on Thursday night and filled in admirably in the halves last season while Munster was out injured, while Pezet is a more traditional halfback but has played just two NRL games off the bench this year after returning from a serious knee injury.

“We’ll give someone else a chance,” Bellamy said.

“Munster should be back next week, and with ‘Wish’ and ‘Pez’, he’s only a young kid who hasn’t had much first grade experience at all. But he’s a good organiser and kicker.

“We’ll see what we think is best for the team. ‘Mun’ will come back in and then we’ll go from there.

“We probably won’t recover completely because he was the Dally M player of the year last year. However long he’s out for, we’re going to miss him.”