Jahrome Hughes’ faces $1m pay sacrifice to stay at Storm

Premiership-winning halfback Jahrome Hughes is weighing up a significant sacrifice to stay at Melbourne Storm.

Jahrome Hughes at Melbourne Storm training on Monday Picture: Getty Images

Premiership-winning Storm halfback Jahrome Hughes is weighing up a potential $1 million sacrifice as Melbourne pieces together a succession plan for departing super coach Craig Bellamy.
Hughes is one of the NRL’s most in-demand free agents after playing a pivotal role in last year’s premiership triumph.

The New Zealand international has attracted interest from numerous rival clubs, some prepared to pay up to $900,000-a-season to lure him out of Melbourne.

While the Storm are keen to retain Hughes they will not be forking out that sort of cash, with Melbourne’s offer expected to be in the vicinity of $600-700,000-a-season.

At 26, Hughes is looking for a long-term deal to give him some security after finding his feet in Melbourne over the past four years.

That means the former Titan and Cowboy could be looking at a major financial sacrifice to remain in Melbourne.

Another huge factor in deciding his future will be who takes the reins at Melbourne when Bellamy departs at the end of the 2021 NRL season.

Bellamy has interest from the Brisbane Broncos to take up a coaching director role, with Melbourne keen to have him remain involved with the Storm.

Hughes has flourished under Bellamy’s tutelage and ideally would like to know who will be coaching Melbourne next year before he decides his future.

Storm football chief Frank Ponissi said Melbourne was hopeful of retaining Hughes.

“Talks were pretty promising before Christmas, it’s still early days but they were promising,” he said.

“We’re hopeful and things were positive. We will take it up again now.

“We’re confident he will stay. So far the discussions have been really positive and there’s nothing to suggest we should be concerned.

“Hopefully by the start of the season we can come to something. Both parties are comfortable with where the position is now.“

Meanwhile, don’t be surprised if in a little over nine months time new Melbourne flyer Reimis Smith is counted as one of the buys of the season.

Smith showed flashes of potential in his five seasons with Canterbury, running in 25 tries in 49 games, but his move to the Storm could transform the 23-year old into one of the game’s best wingers.

That might sound like a tall order, but this is the Storm we’re talking about – taking unheralded outsiders and transforming them into stars is one of the secrets to Craig Bellamy’s success.

With aerial sensation Suliasi Vunivalu heading to rugby union, Smith will battle it out with George Jennings and Isaac Lumelume for the right to replace him and the former Bulldog is the early favourite to start on the right wing in Round 1.

At 196cm and 97kg, Smith has the size and speed to make an immediate impact and is an aerial specialist, just as Vunivalu was, with his vertical prowess promising to ensure Melbourne remain masters of the skies.

“I’ve only been training here but to put this shirt on every day is a blessing. I feel very privileged to be here and I can’t wait to see what the future holds,” Smith said.

“It’s very exciting. From what they’ve done last year it’s really exciting for hopefully me to wear that jersey and play the position the coach needs me to play.”

It won’t be easy for Smith to follow the likes Vunivalu, Josh Addo-Carr, Ryan Papenhuyzen and Justin Olam in becoming another rough diamond that shines in Melbourne.

But Bellamy and the Storm have been doing this for so long now they know exactly what Smith needs to do – there’s no secret recipe, he just needs to commit to their standards and do his job every week.

Of course, that’s easier said than done, but Smith feels he’s on the way there after his initial stint training with the club over the off-season.

“It’s been tough, but it’s very enjoyable. I know the sessions are long, the days are long, but it’s really enjoyable. I’ve been enjoying my time, I’ve been working hard,” Smith said.

“It’s definitely living up to the expectations and a bit more. It’s been tough, but the boys have made me feel at home.

“There’s a little bit of running – a lot of running. With the ball there’s a little bit here and there but not too much at the moment.

“At the moment it feels like they’re easing me into it, they’re helping me become part of the group.”

Smith is yet to cop one of Bellamy’s infamous sprays, but the Mascot junior is getting ready as best he can – because everyone wears one sooner or later.

“I definitely am. I’m getting myself ready, I’ve been asking the boys what to do and how to avoid it. I think one day everyone gets it,” Smith said.

“He’s (Bellamy’s) been pretty good. I heard from him a few times through the holidays, we touched base three or four times, it’s made me feel comfortable.

“But the other side is when it comes to training you have to execute your stuff, you have to put effort on effort, he’ll get into you about that kind of stuff. It keeps me accountable and makes me work hard.”