Jonah Pezet facing ugly Melbourne Storm situation as key Cameron Smith detail emerges
The talented playmaker is wanted by a number of NRL rival clubs as he comes off contract.
The Melbourne Storm have reportedly shut down a potential loan deal for Jonah Pezet next year with comparisons to Cameron Smith and Harry Grant's situation arising. Pezet is off contract in 2026 with rival clubs watching the talent closely as he decides his next move.
Melbourne are keen to extend his contract beyond 2025, but Pezet will be weary of his situation with the Storm already locking down Jahrome Hughes and Cameron Munster in long-term deals. This could see Pezet have to bide his time at the Storm if he wants regular footy.
Pezet was hoping to strike a new deal that would allow him to be 'loaned' to a rival club while he waits for an opportunity behind Munster and Hughes. However, Channel Nine report the Storm have knocked back the 21-year-old's request and he will not be loaned out next year.
While he may have the opportunity to be loaned out in 2026 - if he signs on - this leaves Pezet on the open market weighing-up his options with other clubs. Pezet's situation is reminiscent to that of current captain Grant and club legend Smith.
The Storm made NRL history in 2020 when they loaned current Queensland and Kangaroos No.9 Grant to the Wests Tigers. The Storm recognised Grant's talent and wanted to keep him for the future, but knew he wouldn't be garnering too much game time behind captain and NRL great Smith.
Grant returned after Smith's retirement and has gone on to become the best No.9 in the game. Craig Bellamy was not overly keen on restricting Smith's minutes and it appears the same for Hughes and Munster.
Tyran Wishart's suggestion he will stay at Melbourne will also restrict Pezet's time as a utility. And the Storm could lose both Pezet and Ryan Papenhuyzen as they try to balance their salary cap with a number of young and current stars in the squad.
Pezet could demand a bigger pay day and a starting position at most NRL clubs and there wouldn't be a shortage of rivals chasing the young talent. Although he might opt to wait till 2026 and take a loan deal as he learns under the likes of Hughes and Munster.
Storm face losing Ryan Papenhuyzen over deal
The Storm are currently dealing with a juggling act trying to retain their starting spine. Having locked down Munster, Hughes and Grant on long-term deals, Papenhuyzen is the last piece of the puzzle. There are a number of teams linked with Papenhuyzen with the the Storm fullback allowed to negotiate with other teams have been left disappointed over his $750,000 a year contract extension.
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And former NSW and Wests Tigers forward Aaron Woods believes Papenhuyzen will see out his contract - finishing next year - and will move on because the Storm are keen to promote some of the younger talent. This includes young superstar Sua Fa'alogo and Pezet.
"I reckon, he will stay for this year. But he will probably look elsewhere. Because they are trying to keep young Jonah Pezet. They have Fa'alogo in the lower grades who is going to be a superstar," Woods said on Triple M Radio.
