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Kalyn Ponga move fails as Melbourne Storm score stunning $2.5m win over Newcastle Knights

Pezet signed a four-year contract extension with Melbourne in a huge blow for the Knights.

ben talintyre
Sports Reporter

The Newcastle Knights have been dealt a brutal blow ahead of the 2025 NRL season, with top target Jonah Pezet turning down a move north, despite Adam O'Brien's team pulling out all the stops to get the Storm young gun. O'Brien put Pezet at the top of his wish list and attempted to convince him to return to his former club after the young playmaker hit the NRL open market in November.

The Storm had earlier shut down the possibility of Pezet being loaned to the Knights for next season in the same way captain Harry Grant was to the Wests Tigers when he was Cameron Smith's understudy at Melbourne. Pezet was reportedly keen for more playing time and given he is currently stuck behind the representative halves pairing of Cameron Munster and Jahrome Hughes at the Storm and Tyran Wishart the Knights saw an opportunity.

Pictured left Craig Bellamy and Storm team and right Kalyn Ponga
Kalyn Ponga has failed to convince Jonah Pezet to sign with the Knights, with the young half penning a four-year extension to stay at the Storm. Image: AAP

Pezet knocked back a contract extension with the Storm last month, a development that gave Newcastle hope that they could snatch up one of the NRL's most exciting young talents. The Knights took Pezet out for dinner, which was also attended by Newcastle captain and superstar Kalyn Ponga. The representative fullback spoke to the young half at length and tried to convince him to return to the club where he played junior representative football.

Following the meeting, the Knights tabled a whopping $2.5 million four-year contract to the young half. But on Friday, it was revealed it wasn't enough with Pezet, who is making his comeback from knee reconstruction, penning a long-term deal to remain at the Storm.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 16: Jonah Pezet of the Storm looks on during the round two NRL match between Melbourne Storm and New Zealand Warriors at AAMI Park, on March 16, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
Jonah Pezet turned down a $2.5 million offer from the Knights to stay in Melbourne. Image: Getty

However, there has been a clause added to his new deal that will allow him to exit the club should Jahrome Hughes extend his time at Melbourne, according to News Corp. His deal will expire at the end of 2029 however Pezet may be free to leave earlier.

Hughes is contracted to Melbourne until the end of 2026. Should he agree to a deal beyond that period then Pezet will immediately become a free agent. However, the Storm may opt to go with Pezet at that time as Hughes will be 32 in 2026, while Pezet will have at least a decade of football still left in him, given the fact he will be just 23 in 2026.

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The decision to remain at Melbourne shows Pezet is willing to be patient and happy to learn from one of the game's best halves duos. However, if all remains the same in 2026, there is reportedly an understanding that the Storm could be open to a loan deal, should he and the club come to an agreement that it would be best for him to play regular first-grade football for his development.