Jahrome Hughes re-signs as Cam Munster twist could prevent another star leaving Storm early

Jahrome Hughes will not be signing with the Perth Bears having extended his stay with the Melbourne Storm as Cameron Munster's next move could decide whether the club retains a young star. Hughes has been continuously linked to a move to the incoming NRL side the Bears, with head coach Mal Meninga seeking a marquee signing to kickstart the roster.

Hughes was off contract at the end of 2026 and the halfback was deemed the perfect signing to build a team around when the new club enters the competition. Hughes could demand around $2 million a season if he was interested in signing for the Bears.

Jahrome Hughes (pictured left) has resigned with the Melbourne Storm as Cameron Munster's (pictured right) next move could decide on whether the club keeps young star Jonah Pezet. (Images: Getty Images)

There were doubts over whether Hughes was interested in a move for money having already expressed his desire to remain in Melbourne. And that is exactly what he will be doing, having re-signed with the Storm until the end of 2030 on Tuesday. 

Hughes' signature is a huge win for Melbourne, who will now be looking to extend Harry Grant's contract - and Munster's - to keep their spine together. “I’m delighted to extend my contract with Storm for another four years. I absolutely love this Club, it’s become a second family to me, and Melbourne feels like home," reigning Dally M medallist Hughes said in a statement.

Hughes is currently injured having dislocated his shoulder in the side's win over the Roosters on Thursday night. While there are doubts over whether Melbourne can win the competition without their halfback, the club are confident he will return to play finals footy.

Ryan Papenhuyzen has been heavily linked to the Perth Bears as well, with the fullback only signing a short-term deal to remain at the club until the end of 2026. Papenhuyzen's links with the Bears will continue, but one of the players the Storm will be looking to extend the contract of is five-eighth and Queensland captain Munster.

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Munster has a deal with the Storm until the end of 2027. And a decision on whether he stays in Melbourne or not will most likely determine whether young playmaker Jonah Pezet remains at the Storm.

Pezet recently re-signed with the Storm until the end of 2029, but has an agreement that he can leave if Hughes extends his contract. Hughes re-signing as seemingly signalled the end of Pezet's time in Melbourne, but the Munster situation could change that dramatically.

Panthers great Greg Alexander suggested on SEN Radio that Pezet will surely look for a new deal elsewhere after Hughes' contract extension, and reporter David Riccio claimed the young playmaker can do just that. "I would think so, I really do. There are clauses in his contract that allow him to manoeuvre and have a look around on the basis if Jahrome Hughes re-signs at the footy club...I think that will eventuate for sure," Riccio said.

Jonah Pezet's (pictured) future at the Melbourne Storm is now clouded after Jahrome Hughes resigned.

However, if Munster were to join the Bears then Pezet might see an avenue to stay at the club. Riccio then turned his attention to Munster and his future contract. Riccio said Meninga is keen on bringing over and the Bears are interested in making him their marquee signing.

Although the Storm would have to let Munster freely negotiate with the Bears, considering he is still signed until the end of 2027. "The situation is though, what do they do with Cameron Munster beyond 2027? Do they allow him the opportunity to at least talk to the Perth Bears. There is no uncertainty whatsoever, the Perth Bears want to talk to Cam Munster," Riccio said.

He then suggested the money thrown Munster's way would be a huge incentive and hard to turn down towards the end of his career. "Ultimately they are going to be able to secure Cameron Munster's future financially and length of contract, a lot more so than what the Melbourne Storm could possibly do beyond 2027," he added.

The Perth Bears are reportedly keen on signing Cameron Munster (pictured).

While Munster could be tempted by the money, former teammate Cameron Smith does not feel the five-eighth will want to uproot and move to Perth at 33 years old. Smith, who played alongside Munster at club and representative level, claimed on Channel Nine he believes Munster will want to remain a one-club man.

"Knowing Cam Munster and the type of person he is, I think he'd like to stick out his time in the NRL as a one-club player," Smith said on 100% Footy. "He's built a great life down there in Melbourne around his football career, he's built a young family with his wife Bianca.

"I know he's got a great relationship with Craig Bellamy and also the chairman, Matt Tripp. I really can't see him moving on and playing elsewhere. I know it'd be fairly enticing as a marquee player moving over to the west and the new franchise."

This article originally appeared on Yahoo Sport Australia at https://au.news.yahoo.com/jahrome-hughes-re-signs-as-cam-munster-twist-could-prevent-another-star-leaving-storm-early-234000587.html

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