Kalyn Ponga detail comes to light as Melbourne Storm rocked by $2.5 million poaching raid
Melbourne face a battle to try and hang onto one of their brightest young stars.
The Newcastle Knights are hoping the influence of club captain Kalyn Ponga will help convince Melbourne young gun Jonah Pezet to make a big-money return home to his former club. Pezet has emerged as one of the most sought-after young playmakers on the NRL open market, with the 21-year-old contracted at the Storm until the end of the 2025 season and thus free to speak with rival clubs.
The Storm have reportedly shut down the possibility of Pezet being loaned to an NRL rival next season in the same way captain Harry Grant was to the Wests Tigers when he was Cameron Smith's understudy at Melbourne. But Pezet is keen for more playing time and is currently stuck behind the representative halves pairing of Cameron Munster and Jahrome Hughes at the Storm.
Newcastle are keen to strengthen their halves department and it's understood they've turned their attentions to bringing Pezet back to the club where he played his junior footy between 2018 and 2020. And the Knights have reportedly used their superstar captain and former Dally M Medallist as a trump card to try and lure Pezet back.
Code Sports reports that Newcastle bosses and Ponga took out Pezet for dinner to present their case to the young playmaker and explain their vision to the talented half. The same report says the Knights have tabled Pezet a four-year deal worth around $2.5 million, giving the youngster and his management plenty to think about.
Pezet's future at the Storm could hinge on whether Melbourne decides to extend Kiwi halfback Hughes beyond his current deal which runs until the end of the 2026 season. It's understood Pezet wants a get-out clause at the Storm if Hughes does decide to extend beyond 2026, with the young gun's manager Braith Anasta expected to sit down with Storm powerbrokers for crunch talks on his future in the coming weeks.
Melbourne Storm not keen to loan Jonah Pezet to an NRL rival
It emerged last month that 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 reported that the Storm knocked back the 21-year-old's request because they are keen to keep him at the club next season.
The Storm made NRL history in 2020 when they loaned out current Queensland and Kangaroos No.9 Grant to the Wests Tigers. The Storm recognised Grant's talent and were desperate to keep him for the future, but understood the importance of him getting playing time in the NRL when he was stuck behind captain and NRL legend Smith. Grant returned after Smith's retirement and has gone on to become the best hooker in the game.
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Pezet has played just 10 games in fledgling NRL career but has shown enough evidence that he has a bright future as a first grade playmaker. However, Tyran Wishart's breakout season in 2024 and suggestions he will remain in Melbourne could further dent Pezet's hopes for more game time as a utility at the Storm.
The 21-year-old could realistically earn himself a bigger payday at another club, particularly if Hughes does extend beyond 2026 on what would likely be a multi-million dollar deal at the Storm. And with quality young halves being a rare commodity in recent times, Pezet will not be short on suitors looking to poach the talented half.
