Jahrome Hughes’ stunning rise to the top of his NRL career trajectory ended in perfect fashion with the Melbourne Storm halfback winning the Dally M Medal Saturday night after he was crowned the competition’s best player for 2024. It’s a momentous moment for Hughes, who has gone from journeyman fullback to one of the game’s best playmakers, and the announcement was made at a glittering ceremony in Sydney tonight.
It has been anything but conventional for Hughes on his journey to the top of the rugby league world. He started his NRL career as a fullback playing for a number of clubs before settling with the Storm in 2017. However, was at the Storm that coach Craig Bellamy first saw Hughes’ potential as a halfback, a role in which the Australian would prove so important in his career.
New Zealand 29 year old native of spoke of his disbelief and gratitude to receive the award. In his acceptance speech, Hughes said: “I never thought I’d be in this position.” “I couldn’t have imagined going from being almost anonymous trying to find where my place is in the game now trying to win the Dally M.”
Hughes’ outstanding season featured his accurate kicking, smart selections and the ways he was able to unlock space for his team mates. Storm finishes fourth in the NBL regular season, and goes deep into the playoffs under his leadership.
Craig Bellamy praised work ethic and adaptability of Hughes. Bellamy said: ‘Jahrome’s success is testament to his dedication and his willingness to learn.’ “This award is well-deserved and recognition of that work he’s put in to develop as a halfback.”
The Dally M Medal is largely decided based on a points system, and votes cast by judges after each regular season game. Hughes was very consistent all year long, and slowly built his points up, saw him just beat guys out of a very tight race.
It’s a personal triumph for Hughes but also a proud moment for the Melbourne Storm organisation. Hughes’ transformation from a utility player to a Dally M Medallist is perhaps the club’s greatest success storey but they have a history of developing talent.
The award serves to emphasise the significance of player development and that some late blooming talent is yet to be tapped in the NRL. Hughes, who didn’t become a first choice halfback until his mid 20s, has been an inspiration to those who may be fighting to establish themselves in the league.
Attention now focuses on an upcoming NRL season for which Hughes will count as an individual accolade. For the Storm to win their second premiership title in succession, the halfback’s stellar form will be crucial. With the retirement of long-time Melbourne captain Cameron Smith still so fresh in the memory of the Storm’s fans, Hughes’ leadership and playmaking abilities will be more vital than ever.
Hughes’ talents have been recognised in the NRL, but also from the outside looking in with international selectors watching his performances. Sweden’s constant form with the Storm has sealed his spot within the New Zealand national team and he is set to be a key player when the international fixtures roll around.
While Hughes blew away the competition in rugby league this year, the rugby league community has embraced his win, with players and coaches from rival teams congratulating Hughes. It is a powerful narrative of a player who began life a defacto fringe guy in first grade football and ended up heaped at the pinnacle of individual achievement in the NRL where only the best are remembered.
Ahead of Melbourne’s preparations for the 2025 NRL season the eyes will be on Hughes to see what he can follow up his Dally M winning campaign. However, the pressure will be high — but this many times, Jahrome Hughes has had to rise to the occasion, produce and turn the Storm into a team that wins shy title after title.
