Storm roll the dice as Jahrome Hughes returns ahead of NRL preliminary final

Melbourne Storm have named Jahrome Hughes in their squad to face Cronulla in Friday night's NRL preliminary final, a decision that has stunned fans and pundits given he has played only one match in the past two months after breaking his arm in his round-27 return from a shoulder dislocation.

Hughes's arm remains in a padded brace after surgery, following the break that occurred just three weeks after his comeback from a shoulder injury. He conducted a testing training session on Tuesday and, after medical checks, was cleared to be named in the line-up to face the Sharks. ![Jahrome Hughes]https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/09/24/02/102397355-0-image-m-105_1758677807643.jpg ""

Storm captain Harry Grant acknowledged Hughes still has hurdles to clear ahead of the game, saying the star is training pretty well and getting through what he has to do but still has a fair bit to get through with the week and how it builds. Coach Craig Bellamy and the Storm's medical team will be monitoring workload as they navigate the final days before a shot at back-to-back grand finals. There was also indication that Nelson Asofa-Solomona could be lined up against Hughes in training to assess his readiness.

Footy fans have been astonished by the call, with social media users questioning whether a two-week post-op return is prudent given the severity of Hughes's injuries. One X user wrote that Melbourne were taking a risk that “just isn’t worth taking with Jahrome Hughes this Friday night,” while another asked in disbelief what the chances were of a fully fit Hughes lasting the game. Still, others noted the value of Hughes’s talent if he could contribute despite the risk.

Hughes, speaking to AAP, said he would not jeopardise the team by returning before he is truly ready. “I'm confident ... it's the medical team that's going to have to see where I'm at, but in saying that I'm not someone that's going to put the team under pressure by coming back early so I'm going to be making sure I'm right to go,” he said. “If I'm fully fit I'll definitely put my hand up but I don't want to be going in at 50 per cent – it's not worth it, especially with having someone like Jonah [Pezet] there, being able to fill the void.”

Jonah Pezet, who starred at halfback in Melbourne's qualifying final win over Canterbury, is ready and waiting should Bellamy make a late switch, but Hughes stressed he would only play if he felt he could contribute fully. The forward planning comes as Hughes weighs up a high-stakes decision with the Storm seeking back-to-back grand finals.

In addition to Hughes, fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen has been included after recovering from a head knock that ruled him out of the Bulldogs match. Second-rower Shawn Blore, who has been sidelined for the past month with a fractured larynx, has been named on the interchange bench with initial fears his season was over.

Melbourne are wary of a Sharks outfit that has won nine of their past ten matches, including a semifinal victory over minor premiers Canberra to advance to the prelim. Grant said Cronulla may have been “flying under the radar” heading into the finals but had made a statement with their recent form, praising a star-studded lineup that features powerful outside backs, forwards and a cohesive spine. The Sharks have been impressive of late, and their mix of experience and pace will test Melbourne's resolve in a game that could determine a return to football's showpiece event.