The Mole: How 'homesick' Jahrome Hughes almost left Storm years before Dally M triumph
Jahrome Hughes' manager has made the shock revelation that but for the outbreak of COVID in 2019, the newly-crowned Dally M Medallist would now be a Warrior.
Hughes, who deservedly took out the award by one point from Roosters fullback James Tedesco on Wednesday night, joined the Storm in 2017 but after a couple of seasons was feeling homesick.
"Jahrome felt it was time to go home and the Warriors offered him $1 million, which was big money for a halfback four or five years ago," Tas Bartlett of PSM management told Wide World of Sports.
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"We were all set to go over there with his partner, look at accommodation and facilities and almost certainly sign a contract.
"But COVID came in and prevented us from making the trip.
NRL Dally M Medallist Jahrome Hughes of the Melbourne Storm. Mark Metcalfe via Getty Images
"Basically, the Warriors couldn't show him the love. We had a couple of Zoom chats but it wasn't the same - and he decided to stay in Melbourne."
The 29-year-old Hughes is a great lesson to all young players about fighting back from adversity.
He made his debut for the Titans in 2013… and was sacked after one game.
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The classy halfback floated around park footy for a few seasons before being picked up by the Cowboys in 2016… and was again sacked after one game.
He tried his luck at the Storm the following year, started at fullback, before being moved to No.7, where he has developed into one of the most polished playmakers in modern football.
