Storm knock back idea of young gun Jonah Pezet taking up loan deal
The Storm have knocked back the idea of giving in-demand utility Jonah Pezet a loan deal for next season, but are open to letting him go for 2026.
Melbourne made league history by allowing star hooker Harry Grant to be loaned to the Tigers in 2020.
With star hookers Cameron Smith and Brandon Smith ahead of him in the pecking order at the time, Grant was given a "gap year" at the Tigers where he played most of the season in the top grade and honed his skills before returning to Melbourne.
READ MORE: Titans player in the crosshairs over bet slip photo
READ MORE: How trainers 'got it terribly wrong' with shock Cup winner
READ MORE: 'Tragic': Lightning strike kills player during game
Grant is now among the best hookers in the game - and the Storm hope a similar deal will keep Pezet at the club.
The 21-year-old playmaker is stuck behind world-class halves Jahrome Hughes and Cameron Munster at the Storm and is in hot demand from rival clubs.
Jonah Pezet. Getty
Pezet is contracted to the Storm until the end of 2025 but can now talk to rival clubs about a switch for the 2026 season.
Melbourne is hoping the loan deal will see Pezet sign a long-term deal with the club.
Pezet has played just 10 NRL games since debuting last season and therein lies his problem.
Watch the 2024 Pacific Championships on Nine and 9Now.
He is good enough to be a regular top-grader at many clubs and will be a frustrated man in coming seasons if he stays where he is, with top-grade opportunities few and far between.
