Melbourne Storm take action as Jahrome Hughes responds to rumours about NRL club switch

The Melbourne Storm have reportedly opened contract extension talks with halfback Jahrome Hughes amid rumours he's eyeing a return home to Queensland to be closer to he and his wife's family. NRL great Corey Parker revealed on Monday that he'd heard 'rumblings' that Hughes could be looking at a return to Queensland with his partner despite having two years remaining on his Melbourne contract.

Hughes has been in sensational form since returning from a suspension in round three this year. The 29-year-old has two tries and two try assists since returning to the Storm outfit and is proving his status as one of the game's best halfbacks. The Storm have not lost a game he has played in so far in 2024.

However, Maroons great Parker has claimed the 29-year-old may be looking to return back to his home in Queensland when his contract runs out. The halfback's current contract with the Storm runs out at the end of 2026 and Parker claimed he has heard rumours he could be looking at a return to Queensland with his wife to be closer to family. Hughes has been in Melbourne since he signed in 2017.

“I’m hearing rumblings that one superstar in the game wants to come home to Queensland and be with the family,” Parker said on SEN Radio. “Whether that’s at the end of his contract or not, that remains to be seen. That player is Jahrome Hughes.

“I know his wife is from the Gold Coast and at this stage it’s just rumblings that I’m hearing. It remains to be seen if it’s before his term of contract or not, but watch this space. We’ll just see what happens or unfolds in this space moving forward.”

Melbourne Storm respond amid 'rumblings' about Jahrome Hughes

But according to the Sydney Morning Herald, the Storm have started talks with Hughes in a bid to extend his contract until the end of 2028. "The Storm have been well aware of murmurs linking Hughes to a return to Queensland and have moved to quash suggestions he will depart the club by opening extension talks," the report states.

Hughes' signing would be massive for any of the NRL teams in Queensland. Parker claimed he could be looking at a return to the Titans when his contract is over. Although, one team that could benefit from a halfback in 2026 would be the Broncos. Adam Reynolds will most likely finish up with the club in 2025 having signed a one-year extension this year.

This could free up some space for Hughes if he is looking to return close to the Gold Coast and play for a premiership-contending side with the likes of Reece Walsh and Ezra Mam. Regardless, Hughes' signature would not come cheap with the playmaker on a reported $800,000-per-year deal.

Jahrome Hughes responds amid links to Queensland switch

While Parker mentioned the rumours, Hughes was quick to quell the story on Monday at a press conference. "It's just rumours, I haven't seen the story but I don't know what they're talking about," he said.

"Obviously I was up there before ... but this (Melbourne) feels like home. My mum and my sisters live down here as well which makes it a bit more homely and obviously my wife is from Queensland but she's loving it at the moment as well so this is home for us."

Hughes was born in New Zealand, but moved to the Gold Coast at the age of 14. He started his NRL career with the Titans, before joining the Cowboys. He only played one game for both the Titans and Cowboys.

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He has since settled as the Melbourne Storm halfback after the exit of Cooper Cronk, where he has played 130 games for the club.. While it may appear Hughes wants a return to Queensland, there will be no shortage of teams wanting to sign the halfback who has proven to be one of the best in the game.

Jahrome Hughes expects the Rabbitohs to lift

The Storm play the Rabbitohs this weekend and the clubs are on opposite ends of the ladder. Jason Demetriou is fighting for his job with the Rabbitohs only recording one win in 2024. The Storm are second with five wins and one loss. However, Hughes has admitted he feels the Rabbitohs might benefit from the bye round and look to bounce back this weekend.

"We're going to have a tough game, they're a good footy side although they haven't started the way they wanted to this year," Hughes said on Monday. "They're not far off but I think the game before their bye they played really well.

"They didn't get the win but their best footy is coming and I wouldn't be surprised if it's going to be up against us. It's a big day, Anzac Day, and I wouldn't be surprised if they end up bringing their best game this year ... they've got nothing to lose so we're really cautious of what they can do."