Storm Lose Star Halfback Jahrome Hughes, Premiership Hopes Shaken

The Melbourne Storm are facing a significant challenge as they await the results of scans on star halfback Jahrome Hughes' dislocated shoulder. The reigning Dally M Medalist's injury is an unwanted blow to the club's chances of going one better than their 2024 season, where they fell to Penrith in the final game.

However, the statistics show the Storm squad has remarkable resilience in Hughes' absence. During his Dally M winning season last year, the team's win rate was an impressive 87%, and this figure only dipped slightly to 80% when he didn't play. In the 2023 and 2021 seasons, the Storm's win rate actually improved without Hughes.

In the recent 34-30 victory over the Roosters, Storm captain Harry Grant stepped up and delivered one of his best games of the season, filling the void left by both Hughes and five-eighth Cameron Munster. As the team prepares to face the Eels in Round 22 next Thursday, someone else will likely get an opportunity to step up in Hughes' absence.

"No one wants to lose their halfback and he (Hughes) is a massive part of our footy team," said coach Craig Bellamy. "At the end of the day, we'll give someone else a chance."