‘Sign him in a heartbeat’: Storm young gun’s crowning moment... that could spark feeding frenzy

Young gun Jonah Pezet delivered a statement performance against the Bulldogs.

The 22-year-old was injected into the starting side an hour before kick-off, with Craig Bellamy putting his faith in a relatively inexperienced halfback in a crucial finals clash.

Despite having started only once in 2025, Pezet was simply excellent filling the big shoes left after a wrist injury to Jahrome Hughes suffered in Round 27; from which he may recover in time to reclaim his spot in a preliminary final a fortnight from now.

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But given a huge opportunity, Pezet tallied a try assists, two line break assists and an impressive 40/20, bending the ball between winger and fullback to find the sideline.

“What you’re seeing of Jonah Pezet tonight, I could probably rattle off at least five clubs that would sign him in a heartbeat,” commentator Andrew Voss said after a kick to Xavier Coates’ corner.

“A very accomplished performance from the halfback tonight... Pezet has been a very consistent performer.”

And Voss’ prediction could become a reality, with Pezet previously being linked with a move to the Knights before he put pen to paper on a fresh contract in December last year.

That deal, which extends until the end of 2029, reportedly has a get-out clause in it should superstar Hughes also re-sign.

The reigning Dally M Medallist’s new contract was announced in July, with the Kiwi international signing on until the end of the 2030 season.

The means Pezet is effectively a free agent, and it remains to be seen which clubs will make a play for his services.

”The performance from their halfback, I thought he was man of the match tonight, Jonah Pezet,” Michael Ennis said.

“Jonah Pezet coming in for his first final... was absolutely outstanding.”

Former superstar halfback Shaun Johnson said Pezet “proved the difference”.

“When the play was there to be made, another step to build pressure for Melbourne, Pezet came up with the answer,” Johnson said.

However, while his performance on Friday was excellent, Ennis was of the belief Pezet is set for a long and successful NRL career due to his healthy “arrogance”.

“The elements of his game are great, but have a look when he first walks out onto the field. Have a look at this,” Ennis said as a smiling Pezet was pictured before kick-off,” Ennis said.

“Now the great halves have a bit of arrogance about them, they step out on the field and I say this respectfully, when you think of blokes like Andrew Johns, Ricky Stuart, Allan Langer, Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk is another.

“When the camera pans to them, there is a confidence and an arrogance about them and I say that respectfully.

“The minute he came onto the field tonight, I went ‘boy, he is ready to go’.”

Storm coach Craig Bellamy said that Pezet had a couple of moments that showed his lack of game time at halfback alongside teammates, but mostly did “a great job”.

“The reason we went with him, he’s more of an organising half and he’s got a really good kicking game,” Bellamy said, with Pezet nailing a first-half 40/20 that led to a then match-tying try from Ativalu Lisati.

“Hughesy sort of takes that role when he’s playing but with ‘Mun’ (Cameron Munster) and ‘Wish’ (Tyran Wishart), they’re really good ball-runners and great competitors but we just thought we needed someone out there whose strength is organising, then add a bit of kicking to it. He did a really good job tonight.”

Bellamy said Pezet’s ongoing role would be “horses for courses” and flagged a possible someback for his first-choice halfback.

“I’m not putting pressure on him but I think there’s a rough chance that Hughesy might be back. Hopefully we can make that decision as soon as possible and just get it organised and the team can train as a team, especially the week leading into our next game,” Bellamy said.

Captain Harry Grant also lauded Pezet’s performance, and his hard work in coming back from knee injuries. He tore an ACL last year, then needed another surgery early this season.

“I think he’s done a really good job over the last 12, 18 months with his development,” Grant said.

“Having that injury, the way he sort of went about his business with his rehab, coming in every day and trying to be a good addition to the team and get better and make the place better, I think that’s only served him well.”

Rumblings have previously emerged Pezet could be loaned to an NRL rival in 2026 to seek regular starting football, with the young gun telling AAP he will leave his future to manager Braith Anasta.

“I think I’ll leave that up to Braith and everyone at the club ... they’ll sort it all out,” Pezet said in August.

“With Hughesy going down there’s an opportunity there, and I’ll keep putting my best foot forward so that when the time comes I’m ready for that wherever it might be.

“Obviously the best footy I play, the more NRL I’m going to get, so that’s what I’m focused on.”

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