There is movement within the Melbourne Storms playing list at the moment with Jahrome Hughes agreeing to a contract extension for the next 4 years. However what could delight Eels fans is that the signing triggers a get out clause for young halfback / 5/8 Jonah Pezet. The Melbourne Storm rate Pezet very highly, having represented NSW state of origin u/19's and is signed with Melbourne for 4 years. Powerbrokers had earmarked him to take over from Hughes in the future. At 22 years old and 183cm, Pezet has played a lot of 5/8 in his junior years, infact he debuted for Melbourne Storm first grade at 5/8 scoring a try in the process.
Jonah Pezet is also the son of former Eels player Troy Pezet. Whilst doing some research I found that Troy Pezet played in the halves for the Eels, and is now working within the Newcastle Knights system as their Elite Pathways Recruitment Manager. This would seem to put a dampener on him coming to the Eels to play 5/8 and partner Mitch Moses next year, with the belief that he may want to re connect with his father in the Knights system whom are after a halfback to partner our own Dylan Brown next season. Its worthy to note though that just last year the Knights went hard for young Pezet offering him the inside running to play this year in the halves at Newcastle, Pezet declined their offer and signed with the Melbourne Storm, knowing that he would have to play second fiddle to Munster and Hughes.
A lot of well credentialed NRL types believe Pezet is ready right now for first grade. Jason Ryles has inside knowledge of Pezet from his time in 2024 as the Storms Coaching Director, prior to taking up his Head Coaching role with us.
'The kid seems to fit what Ryles is after, and could slot straight into 5/8. Long term if everything played out he could possible be in the frame to take over from Mitch when he retires in 4 or 5 years time.
What are peoples thoughts on this hot youngster, there is going to be a lot of interest in him, with so many teams on the look out for halves players. Is this someone our club may attempt to target.
Replies
Didn't we pull out of signing Christian Welch when he did his ACL then he still played origin for couple more years after recovering. Hope we don't repeat that mistake because sports science now is better and recovery mean injuries aren't career ending especially for young players. Liddle tore his ACL, MCL and PCL all at once and other injuries mean he missed the equivalent of a few seasons but is now playing top footy. Some players are worth the wait and Pezet I believe is worth the risk and patience.
Pezet will also be cheaper due to his injuries and lack of game time. His kicking game is much better than what Papalii, Iongi or Hawkins can offer and is my biggest concern with those 3 when Moses gets injured. We need a 5/8 with a strong long kicking game who can step up when Moses is out
Midget, good points and a lot of NRL pundits see it your way. Gutho came off an ACL before coming to us as.
If Moses goes down and misses a few games like lately who is going to keep the young guys from panicing and trying to score off every play. We need an experienced half thats why they should be going for Doueihi as he is coming into his prime years as a player, can play 7,6,center and lock and edge. Its okay to stick with the juniors but you still have to have experience to keep them to the game plan and be patient.
Fair enough Ryles knows Pezet, I'm not worried about his ACL, Gutho came here with a lot of knee problems but he raised above all. Ok but what does this mean for Papali & Hawkins? I don't want to see any of these two walking away. Losing Matt Hunter is a blow, but it makes sense for the Knights to pair up Brown with an Eels player.
Maybe it's just me but I haven't seen anything from Pezet that makes me think he's any better than anyone we already have.
Meh he looks like a Tyson gamble style of player pass from me throw big money at katoa or stick with who we got
We may as well, just use Hawkins, volkman, Papali next year until Lorenzo is ready, I still think Papali could work at 5/8th he definitely has the creativity, he just needs to bulk up a tad. Papali and twiddle can both cover 5/8th and fullback too, so our depth is starting to improve
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