Latest news with #JahromeHughes
News.com.au
3 days ago
- General
- News.com.au
‘He'd get bored at home in his mansion': Storm players back Craig Bellamy to stay on in 2026 as veteran coach weighs up future
Melbourne halfback Jahrome Hughes says Craig Bellamy would get easily bored if he decides to retire at the end of the season, which is why he expects the veteran coach to stay on for at least another year. Bellamy has an option to remain in charge of the premiership favourites in 2026 and is likely to make a call on his coaching future in the coming weeks to give the club plenty of time to find a replacement if he does decide to call time on his glittering career. A decision was made on May 10 last year for him to coach on in 2025, with the early mail that he will make a similar call very soon. The seven-time Dally M Coach of the Year has helped turn the Storm into one of the biggest sporting franchises in Australia since he arrived in 2003. It's why they'd love for him to stay as long as he wants, with champion five-eighth Cameron Munster likely to walk into his coach's office and deliver his traditional pitch for him to stay. 'Usually around this time it's all in the papers with what he's going to do, but there hasn't been much talk about what he's going to do,' Hughes said. 'He probably wouldn't want that to distract anyone. He likes to keep that close to his chest with what he's going to do, but I'm sure he'll reach out soon. 'It probably hasn't been spoken about as much as previous years, but I guess it's that time of year when it's probably going to come up now. 'He's probably going to have to make a decision soon, and I'm sure 'Mun' will be back in his office to get him to stay another year. 'He's such a great coach and such a great mentor for all of us players. The longer he stays, the better. But for me, it's whatever's best for him and his family. 'I can't see him hanging it up too soon because he'd get bored at home in his mansion. I'm sure he'll go around again.' Bellamy could well add another premiership this season with the Storm favourites with the bookies to go all the way, but they'll need to be better than they were in the win over the Titans. They've been fairly inconsistent in recent weeks but should get skipper Harry Grant back for Friday's home game against the Cowboys after he was rested for the trip north. 'It was a scrappy win, but it was good to get those scrappy wins,' Hughes said. 'It's not always going to be pretty, so it's good to get one of those out of the way and know that we can win that way.'
News.com.au
07-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Ryan Papenhuyzen sees the appeal for players to join new NRL teams in Perth and PNG as he weighs up his future
Star Melbourne Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen says the rare 'appeal' of joining a foundation team could help lure players to new NRL outfits in both Perth and PNG and he didn't shut the door on the chances of him making a move. After teammate Jahrome Hughes, identified by those involved with the new Perth franchise as their No.1 target, declared he wanted to stay in Melbourne 'forever', Papenhuyzen was less committal about his long-term future. Papenhuyzen, 26, is contracted with the Storm until the end of 2026, only signing a one-year extension late last year. He declared his desire to 'win premierships with the Storm' but said the chance to join a foundation club didn't happen too often and could be a lure for players. 'I think there's also an appeal of a foundation club. You don't get many opportunities to do that, so I don't think it would be too big of an issue to attract players,' Papenhuyzen said on Wednesday. 'I think it's a new team, people looking for opportunities.' Storm lost premiership players and internationals Jesse and Kenny Bromwich, as well as Felise Kaufusi, to the Dolphins when they entered the NRL in 2023 and Papenhuyzen knows plenty will be linked to the new outfits. 'Obviously, there's speculation whenever you're coming off contract, but I'm here right now, I want to win premierships with the Storm, we've got a really good squad and we're really doing something nice. 'I'm sure when that time comes around my manager will be all over it. 'But for me, it's just getting back here and trying to be as present as I can here because if you're not present, you can see the results that happen like they did on the weekend.' Papenhuyzen said coach Craig Bellamy, who delivered an almighty post-match spray after a Magic Round golden point loss to Canberra on the back of a last-second penalty, still wasn't 'over' the game. 'We had a training block today and I swear they just kept giving away penalties, so we had to defend,' he said. 'Obviously not over it yet, but hopefully tomorrow comes around and he's moved on.' Part of Melbourne's review included addressing their mental state in the game, noting 'little concentration lapses' had to be addressed ahead of this Sunday's clash with the Wests Tigers at AAMI Park. 'We're doing a lot of work on that in the mental space, and I think that's an area we identify we need to improve on,' Papenhuyzen said. 'It's a constant thing with our reviews now as well, you review the technical side of the game but you're also going to ask yourself mentally were you there or were you present. 'It's some stuff we're working on and it's been in sport the last few years and I think it's only getting bigger from here. 'It doesn't happen overnight, it's very new to a lot of us, and I guess we've got to get used to it because it is a big part of the game now.'
The Advertiser
01-05-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
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.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
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."
Perth Now
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
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."
