Melbourne Storm’s rising star, Jonah Pezet, has reportedly rejected a lucrative offer from the Newcastle Knights and re-signed with his current club. Pezet, 21, has been one of the most highly-rated young talents in rugby league, but his time on the field has been limited due to injury.
The halfback, who suffered an ACL injury during the Queensland Cup in 2024, has only played ten NRL games since making his debut in 2023. Despite the limited game time, Pezet’s potential is undeniable, with the young playmaker having earned junior State of Origin honors and a man-of-the-match performance in the 2022 Under-19 Origin match.
Pezet was reportedly offered a four-year, $2.5 million contract by the Newcastle Knights, a move that would have seen him return to the club where he spent much of his junior career. However, according to News Corp, Pezet has opted to extend his stay in Melbourne, signing a new deal that keeps him with the Storm until the end of 2029.
This new deal represents a significant upgrade for the young half, who had initially turned down Melbourne’s offers. It underscores the club’s desire to retain his services for the long-term. However, Pezet’s contract contains a notable clause that could allow him to leave the club earlier than expected. The clause stipulates that Pezet has the option to depart if current halfback Jahrome Hughes re-signs beyond 2026, when his contract is due to expire.
The clause also opens up the possibility of a loan move, either within Australia or overseas, in the final year of Hughes’ contract. While Melbourne’s salary cap situation could make it difficult to extend Hughes’ deal—especially with other big-money contracts, including Ryan Papenhuyzen’s recent re-signing—the club will likely face a challenging decision down the line. If Hughes, who was widely regarded as the best player in the game during 2024, does re-sign, it will force Melbourne to weigh the present against the future.
In the meantime, Pezet will likely have to bide his time. Injuries to both Cameron Munster and Hughes in 2024 gave Tyran Wishart a chance to shine, and the former Dragons junior could start the 2025 season ahead of Pezet in Melbourne’s halves pecking order. While coach Craig Bellamy has not made any official comments on the situation, the competition for spots in Melbourne’s halves is sure to heat up, especially with the club aiming to take its game to the next level following a Grand Final appearance in 2024.
Pezet’s re-signing is a huge boost for the Storm as they continue to build for the future, though his contract’s clause adds an element of uncertainty that could come into play in the coming years.
