The manager of Melbourne playmaker Jonah Pezet says they were “blindsided” by the Storm’s decision to re-sign Jahrome Hughes, with a lack of opportunities also behind his young charge’s departure from the NRL club.

Braith Anasta has set up a unique deal that will see Pezet play for three clubs in three years — leaving Melbourne to spend the 2026 season with Parramatta before taking a long-term contract with premiers Brisbane.

Anasta said they were told Hughes was likely to move home to Queensland, which would have seen Pezet take over the No.7 jersey for the 2027 season, but the Dally M medallist instead re-signed in July until 2030.

“Essentially, what we got told a year ago was that Jahrome was most likely not going to be there at the end of his deal,” Anasta said on the BTFU 180 pod

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