- Hughes claimed his first Dally M medal on Wednesday
- I could have won it with a different team after a big decision.
Jahrome Hughes’ manager has revealed that newly appointed medalist Dally M came very close to playing for the New Zealand Warriors.
Storm playmaker Hughes capped a superb 2024 NRL season by being crowned rugby league’s best and fairest player. on Wednesday night.
Hughes’ manager Tas Bartlett made the revelation that the Melbourne halfback would have been playing for the Warriors now had it not been for the Covid pandemic in 2019.
“Jahrome felt it was time to come home and the Warriors offered him $1 million, which was a lot of money for a running back four or five years ago,” Bartlett said. Wide World of Sports.
“We were ready to go there with his partner, look for accommodation and facilities and almost certainly sign a contract.
‘But Covid came in and prevented us from making the trip.
‘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.”
Hughes became the first New Zealand half in 32 years to claim the NRL’s top prize after a thrilling finish to the count on Wednesday night.
Jahrome Hughes claimed the Dally M player of the year award at a glittering ceremony in Sydney on Wednesday night.
Hughes was set to join the New Zealand Warriors until the outbreak of the Covid pandemic changed his plans.
With a one-point lead over James Tedesco heading into the final round, Hughes and the Sydney Roosters fullback picked up six votes to finish the season one point clear.
He was then met with an impromptu haka, led by Storm teammate Will Warbrick, along with Eliesa Katoa and Joseph Tapine.
Men’s runner Daly Cherry-Evans finished third, and teammate Tom Trbojevic fourth despite missing much of the season.
Roosters second rower Olivia Kernick won the women’s Dally M, taking her first major prize by finishing two points clear of Parramatta fullback Abbi Church and Gold Coast runner Lauren Brown.
Hughes’ first major success comes after what has clearly been the best year of his career to date.
The Storm No.7 stepped up in Cameron Munster’s absence for half the season and helped lead Melbourne to the grand final.
Hughes (pictured with wife Molly) became the first half New Zealander in 32 years to claim the NRL’s best and fairest gong.
The Storm half (pictured right with teammate Ryan Papenhuyzen) will be a big part of Melbourne’s attack in the grand final against Penrith on Sunday.
“I don’t really play for individual accolades, I play for team accolades,” Hughes said.
‘That was the way I saw it when I started.
“But now that I’ve been lucky enough to win it, I see how special it is. When you see the players who have won it, it’s crazy.”
His showdown with Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary is also shaping up to be a heavyweight battle in Sunday’s decider.
If Hughes wins, he can become the eighth player in history to win a premiership and Dally M in the same year.
“That’s the next job,” Hughes said.
“We are in a grand final and now is the time to prepare for it.
“It would be fantastic to do the double, but winning a premiership with my Storm teammates this year is a dream.”
Wednesday night’s coveted honor at Royal Randwick is a fitting reward for Hughes after an excellent season.
Hughes’ win came on a big night for the Storm with Craig Bellamy named coach of the year.
Harry Grant was named hooker of the year, Katoa one of the second rowers of the year (Angus Crichton is the other) and Xavier Coates presented the try of the year award.
Penrith had two players in the team of the year, while Canterbury’s Stephen Crichton was named captain and in the centres.