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Hughes likely for Storm return as Bellamy rejects resting stars
Sam Kosack • September 2nd, 2025 3:08 pm
Melbourne Storm star Jahrome Hughes is likely to play in Round 27 should he get through Wednesday’s captain’s run in a major boost on the eve of finals.
Hughes was sidelined with a dislocated shoulder back in Round 21 but avoided surgery after the Storm’s four-point win over the Roosters.
The reigning Dally M Medallist has recovered well and is hoping to make his return this weekend against the Brisbane Broncos, who need a win to secure a top-four finish.
“(Giving him a run) is the plan,” Storm GM Frank Ponissi confirmed on SENQ Breakfast.
“He trained yesterday so depending on how he pulls up, which we think he’ll be fine, he’ll be on the plane this afternoon to Brisbane.
“If you can get through the captain run tomorrow, he’ll be a big chance of playing on Thursday night.”
Hughes has made 17 appearances so far in 2025, scoring six tries and notching up 19 try assists.
The halfback’s inclusion comes at a crucial time for the Storm, who need to build momentum heading into one of the closest NRL finals series this decade.
The Storm have locked up a second-placed finish, and subsequently two home finals including Week 1 against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
While the Storm can’t shift positions, Craig Bellamy will be keen to see a strong performance from his side after they conceded 40 unanswered points in the second half of his 600th career game.
Ponissi confirmed the Storm will field a close-to-full strength side for Thursday’s clash against the Broncos, after resting four stars last week.
“There might be one or two rested, but I think we'll be as close and full strength as we possibly can be,” Ponissi revealed.
“A lot of the players either chose not to have a rest or a lot of them would have preferred to rest last week.
“They felt they'd rather have a game going into the finals rather than having a week off before the finals.
“So, we'll be as strong as we possibly can with the exception of one or two players.”
If the Broncos win, they will all but guarantee themselves a top four finish, while a loss could see them drop as far as sixth.
