Hughes can't bear leaving the Storm for Perth
Dally M Medallist Jahrome Hughes has declared he wants to play for Melbourne "forever", dashing hopes of new NRL outfit Perth luring the star Storm halfback as its marquee player.
Speaking ahead of the Storm's Magic Round clash with Canberra, Hughes said he was looking to get a new deal done with club boss Justin Rodski to secure his future in Victoria.
A free agent on November 1, the 30-year-old has been mentioned as a major target for the Bears, who will join the competition in 2027.
"I think my name's probably only up there because I'm off contract around that same time," said the Kiwi Test halfback.
"I haven't really thought about it, and if I have it my way then I'll be here forever, so I might have to talk to 'J-Rod' soon about that."
The Storm are sitting second on the ladder but on the same competition points as the Raiders with both teams coming off a win.
Hughes, who returned just two weeks after breaking his hand and then injured his shoulder, said he planned to push through to the next bye which would hopefully allow him to fully recover.
They are still missing skipper Harry Grant with a hamstring injury.
"We think there's a lot to improve on, and we've talked about how it's not going to be perfect from the start but we really want to build and keep getting better every week," Hughes said.
"Canberra are going well and I think they are flying under the radar a little bit.
"They're a quality team and they're real gritty and I feel like they're a team that have come a long way over the last couple of years ... they've had a few good players come in and they're starting to build something there so it's going to be a test for us."
Melbourne have been under fire off the field for the late cancellation of a Welcome to Country before last round's match at AAMI Park against South Sydney.
Hughes said the club was "trying to make amends" to the Indigenous community.
"I know the club is really apologetic of what happened that night," he said."I know there was a bit of miscommunication and I know the higher-ups at the club know they did the wrong thing and they're trying to make amends at the moment."Ever since I've been here, we've respected all cultures, not just Indigenous ... we have a saying that if it's important to one of us, then it's important for all of us."Hopefully, the club can make up for the wrongdoing that's been done."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
30 minutes ago
- News.com.au
Cox: 'The boys responded really well'
AFL: Dean Cox spoke on coaching from the bench as they bounced back from some horror performances to secure a big win over the Tigers.
News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
Oh Too Good secures first metro win for trainer Kevin Daffy at Flemington
Kevin Daffy, 'Australia's smallest trainer with one horse', is now also a Flemington winner. Oh Too Good avenged a costly Flemington defeat last spring, touched off in the lucrative Melbourne Cup Carnival Country Final, with a dominant victory on Saturday in the 1600m Benchmark 100. Oh Too Good could now return to Flemington next month for the Listed Winter Championship Final. 'It's indescribable. My first metro winner and to do it here at Flemington,' an emotional Daffy said. 'I wasn't really sure how she would go on the soft track. We all found out together today on a soft track – very pleasing it was a bit unknown – she's never run on a track other than a Good 4. A big win for trainer, owner and strapper Kevin Daffy who has one horse in work - Oh Too Good gives Ben Allen a Flemington double! @bennallen44 @FlemingtonVRC â€' 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) June 7, 2025 'Not in my wildest dream (train a Flemington winner), winning her first race … (Pakenham maiden) was enough for me. 'Everything she has done since has been a bonus. I know how fortunate I am, as I know how tough this game is. I'm the smallest trainer in Australia with one horse. It's indescribable.' Oh Too Good has won five of 11 starts and banked $569,450 for part-owner Daffy and connections. The mare travelled sweetly in the run and burst clear in the straight to space Jimmy The Bear and Regal Vow. Favourite Jimmy The Bear, trained by Patrick and Michelle Payne, went back from a wide barrier and ultimately had too much ground to make up. Jockey Ben Allen, who sealed a double with the win after victory earlier on Miss Ole, endorsed Oh Too Good's Winter Championship Final potential. 'I was a little concerned coming up in trip because she didn't run out a strong 1400m (last start) but she had a few little issues that weren't right,' Allen said. 'Kev has done a great job, got her spot on. She was a different horse today, relaxed a lot better for me, handled the track perfect and when I went for her she was strong right to the line. 'Jimmy The Bear obviously looked like the one to beat, but he drew awkward and he can step slow so I thought he might have to go back, I always felt we might be in the better spot. 'It was going to take a good horse to pick us up especially with how strong she was.' â– â– â– â– â–
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Payten declares Maroons must pick star to win Origin
North Queensland coach Todd Payten says if Queensland want to win the second State of Origin match to level the series they need to start Tom Dearden in the halves. Dearden is favoured to replace veteran Maroons skipper Daly Cherry-Evans for the must-win match in Perth, with the Cowboys captain consistently delivering for his NRL team. Cherry-Evans, 36, failed to ignite the Queensland attack in game one in Brisbane, which NSW dominated to win 18-6. While Kiwi Test halfback Jahrome Hughes starred for Melbourne in their 38-14 victory over North Queensland at AAMI Park on Friday night, Dearden still impressed in the losing side. Payten was firm in his belief that the 24-year-old was ready to be picked to wear the No.7 jersey rather than have a bench role for the June 18 match. Dearden has already done the job for the Kangaroos, steering Australia to victory over Tonga in the Pacific Cup final last November, while he also impressed in the Maroons No.6 jumper in the absence of Cameron Munster last year. "You're asking the wrong person, I know he's ready, it's just not my decision," Payten said after the Storm match. "Selfishly, I'd love him to come off the bench, but if they want to win, I'd be putting him in the halves." Dearden downplayed the selection quandary for Queensland coach Billy Slater, saying he was only focused on the Cowboys. "I wasn't really looking at it as an audition," he said. "I thought like I probably could have been a lot better with helping us with direction and then handing the ball over in the right area, so there's probably a few areas I need to look at from that performance." Melbourne skipper Harry Grant, who had an uncharacteristically poor Origin outing after being hobbled by a hamstring injury, looked back to his best against North Queensland. "I had a pretty clear focus of what I needed to work on from that (Origin) game it sort of hurt not being able to play after that, against the Titans, and that was just precautionary with the hamstring," the hooker said. "I had a pretty narrow focus and it was pleasing to just get a win for the team and everyone sort of played their role within our game plan." His Storm teammate Stefano Utoikamanu also put his hand up to replace Mitch Barnett in the NSW squad, with the Warriors prop ruled out for the season with an ACL rupture. Utoikamanu and Keaon Koloamatangi are the favourites to take Barnett's spot with the Melbourne forward named 19th man in the Blues squad for game one when he was on stand-by for an injured Payne Haas. Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy, who is an advisor to the NSW coach Laurie Daley and will join the squad in Perth, said Utoikamanu had pushed his case for selection. "You think he'd be right up there in the firing line, I think he's a real big chance," Bellamy said. "He was really solid, and some of his runs really stood out and I'm sure Laurie will be looking at his defence as well and hopefully for Stef, he'll line up in the next game." North Queensland coach Todd Payten says if Queensland want to win the second State of Origin match to level the series they need to start Tom Dearden in the halves. Dearden is favoured to replace veteran Maroons skipper Daly Cherry-Evans for the must-win match in Perth, with the Cowboys captain consistently delivering for his NRL team. Cherry-Evans, 36, failed to ignite the Queensland attack in game one in Brisbane, which NSW dominated to win 18-6. While Kiwi Test halfback Jahrome Hughes starred for Melbourne in their 38-14 victory over North Queensland at AAMI Park on Friday night, Dearden still impressed in the losing side. Payten was firm in his belief that the 24-year-old was ready to be picked to wear the No.7 jersey rather than have a bench role for the June 18 match. Dearden has already done the job for the Kangaroos, steering Australia to victory over Tonga in the Pacific Cup final last November, while he also impressed in the Maroons No.6 jumper in the absence of Cameron Munster last year. "You're asking the wrong person, I know he's ready, it's just not my decision," Payten said after the Storm match. "Selfishly, I'd love him to come off the bench, but if they want to win, I'd be putting him in the halves." Dearden downplayed the selection quandary for Queensland coach Billy Slater, saying he was only focused on the Cowboys. "I wasn't really looking at it as an audition," he said. "I thought like I probably could have been a lot better with helping us with direction and then handing the ball over in the right area, so there's probably a few areas I need to look at from that performance." Melbourne skipper Harry Grant, who had an uncharacteristically poor Origin outing after being hobbled by a hamstring injury, looked back to his best against North Queensland. "I had a pretty clear focus of what I needed to work on from that (Origin) game it sort of hurt not being able to play after that, against the Titans, and that was just precautionary with the hamstring," the hooker said. "I had a pretty narrow focus and it was pleasing to just get a win for the team and everyone sort of played their role within our game plan." His Storm teammate Stefano Utoikamanu also put his hand up to replace Mitch Barnett in the NSW squad, with the Warriors prop ruled out for the season with an ACL rupture. Utoikamanu and Keaon Koloamatangi are the favourites to take Barnett's spot with the Melbourne forward named 19th man in the Blues squad for game one when he was on stand-by for an injured Payne Haas. Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy, who is an advisor to the NSW coach Laurie Daley and will join the squad in Perth, said Utoikamanu had pushed his case for selection. "You think he'd be right up there in the firing line, I think he's a real big chance," Bellamy said. "He was really solid, and some of his runs really stood out and I'm sure Laurie will be looking at his defence as well and hopefully for Stef, he'll line up in the next game." North Queensland coach Todd Payten says if Queensland want to win the second State of Origin match to level the series they need to start Tom Dearden in the halves. Dearden is favoured to replace veteran Maroons skipper Daly Cherry-Evans for the must-win match in Perth, with the Cowboys captain consistently delivering for his NRL team. Cherry-Evans, 36, failed to ignite the Queensland attack in game one in Brisbane, which NSW dominated to win 18-6. While Kiwi Test halfback Jahrome Hughes starred for Melbourne in their 38-14 victory over North Queensland at AAMI Park on Friday night, Dearden still impressed in the losing side. Payten was firm in his belief that the 24-year-old was ready to be picked to wear the No.7 jersey rather than have a bench role for the June 18 match. Dearden has already done the job for the Kangaroos, steering Australia to victory over Tonga in the Pacific Cup final last November, while he also impressed in the Maroons No.6 jumper in the absence of Cameron Munster last year. "You're asking the wrong person, I know he's ready, it's just not my decision," Payten said after the Storm match. "Selfishly, I'd love him to come off the bench, but if they want to win, I'd be putting him in the halves." Dearden downplayed the selection quandary for Queensland coach Billy Slater, saying he was only focused on the Cowboys. "I wasn't really looking at it as an audition," he said. "I thought like I probably could have been a lot better with helping us with direction and then handing the ball over in the right area, so there's probably a few areas I need to look at from that performance." Melbourne skipper Harry Grant, who had an uncharacteristically poor Origin outing after being hobbled by a hamstring injury, looked back to his best against North Queensland. "I had a pretty clear focus of what I needed to work on from that (Origin) game it sort of hurt not being able to play after that, against the Titans, and that was just precautionary with the hamstring," the hooker said. "I had a pretty narrow focus and it was pleasing to just get a win for the team and everyone sort of played their role within our game plan." His Storm teammate Stefano Utoikamanu also put his hand up to replace Mitch Barnett in the NSW squad, with the Warriors prop ruled out for the season with an ACL rupture. Utoikamanu and Keaon Koloamatangi are the favourites to take Barnett's spot with the Melbourne forward named 19th man in the Blues squad for game one when he was on stand-by for an injured Payne Haas. Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy, who is an advisor to the NSW coach Laurie Daley and will join the squad in Perth, said Utoikamanu had pushed his case for selection. "You think he'd be right up there in the firing line, I think he's a real big chance," Bellamy said. "He was really solid, and some of his runs really stood out and I'm sure Laurie will be looking at his defence as well and hopefully for Stef, he'll line up in the next game."
