Jahrome Hughes, a star halfback for the Storm, has responded to “rumors” that he wants to return to the Gold Coast, saying that Melbourne is his current home as the team intensifies negotiations to extend the Kiwi playmaker’s contract until 2028.
Hughes only appeared in one game for the Titans in 2013, but since then, he has emerged as one of the finest halfbacks in the world, and he signed a contract with the Storm that runs through the end of 2026.
He received three Dally M votes during the team’s victory over the Roosters last week, and he has been excellent since 2024. However, according to sources on Monday, he expressed a desire to return to Queensland, the state of his wife’s birth.
The Titans, who sorely need a strong halfback to salvage them, would suffer a blow if Hughes were to address that on Monday and make it clear that Melbourne is where he wants to spend the rest of his career.
“Those are only rumors.” He remarked, “I have no idea what they’re talking about.
“A couple males have mentioned something to me, but I haven’t seen the story or anything, so I’m not sure what they’re talking about.
“I played for the Gold Coast Titans up there prior to beginning my NRL career, but I believe they’re currently just trying to make a story out of it,” the player said.
“Now it feels like home here.” Right now, this is where I call home.
“Although she’s from Queensland, my wife is thriving here. For us, this is home.
Hughes is well aware that things could be very different if it weren’t for some clutch plays in the last minutes that have saved the Storm in 2024. The Storm is currently in second place after seven rounds and will take on the struggling Rabbitohs on Anzac Day.
Their largest victory so far this season has been by eight points, with four of their five wins coming from a Melbourne try in the last ten minutes, which was only made possible by some incredible plays from winger Xavier Coates.
Hughes remarked, “I think not playing the full 80 (minutes) was our issue last year.”
“We’ve been able to rally late in games this year and win even though we were behind,” the player said.
We’d rather be winning such games than losing them, even if it’s probably not ideal for our supporters or coaching staff to wait until the very end to win it.
“It would be nice to win a game by more than 10 points, but everyone wants to win comfortably and not have to do anything special in the last few minutes. Luckily, we have a guy like ‘X’ (Coates) who can do that.”
With the Warriors not visiting this year, Anzac Day will have a little different vibe, but if the Storm defeat Souths, they can lead the table.
Instead, they’ll host a game on Thursday morning across the ditch, putting an end to a tradition that dates back to 2009.
“The Storm always celebrates special occasions,” tall prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona remarked.
I am quite attached to the Anzac game because my family and I played in one when I made my debut back in 2015.
“Everyone is excited about the occasion.”
