Cameron Smith responds amid NRL rumours about Jahrome Hughes' exit from Melbourne Storm

Cameron Smith has moved to shoot down speculation about Jahrome Hughes leaving the Melbourne Storm, revealing there have been no signs from the Storm halfback that he wants out. Broncos great Corey Parker revealed on SEN radio this week that he'd heard 'rumblings' Hughes is looking at moving to a Queensland club to be closer to he and his wife's family. Hughes is under contract with the Storm until the end of 2026, and the club has now reportedly begun negotiations to extend him for another two years. “I’m hearing rumblings that one superstar in the game wants to come home to Queensland and be with the family,” Parker said. “Whether that’s at the end of his contract or not, that remains to be seen. That player is Jahrome Hughes. “I know his wife is from the Gold Coast and at this stage it’s just rumblings that I’m hearing. It remains to be seen if it’s before his term of contract or not, but watch this space. We’ll just see what happens or unfolds in this space moving forward." Hughes has since moved to dismiss the rumours, and Storm legend Smith reckons he hasn't seen any signs the Kiwi halfback wants to leave. “Most times the performance is a dead giveaway on the field and I reckon he’s been one of the best, if not, their best player this year,” Smith said on SEN on Tuesday.

Surprise 'weakness' Broncos want Walsh to fix

His speed has set the NRL alight in 2024 - but the Broncos have made the stunning admission that they want Reece Walsh to actually slow down his game. Walsh is the form player in the league, tearing teams apart with his electrifying pace. But the flying fullback also led the NRL in errors last season - and that is what the club is wary of. "He does everything really quick - that's his strength but it's also his weakness," assistant coach Lee Briers told the BBC league podcast. "As we know the older you get, the game slows down on you. "We're not trying to slow his head down, but slow his feet down a bit so when he's got the ball he can make decisions a little easier. "With Reece it's all 100mph so he has to make them decisions at 100mph, if we can just pull him back a bit then - because his football brain is awesome. "He just thinks really quick and wants to move on quicker than anybody else and sometimes you just have to pull him back, pull him back and then let him go on the weekend… he's an absolute superstar." Walsh's error rate has dropped markedly this season, so the Broncos may well have found the secret to getting the best out of their pocket rocket.

Fiji's New Push For NRL Inclusion

Fiji is getting serious about its bid to become the NRL's 18th franchise, offering something no other club in the game has - a retractable roof stadium. With the country's government providing massive tax breaks for investors, a multi-national firm has put the ground-breaking idea on the table. Bid director Bev Broughton was recently approached by a private investor with the idea that will come in very handy given Fiji's tropical climate. The stadium will also be close to Nadi's superb five-star resorts, adding to the allure for fans of the current 17 NRL clubs to make it a Vegas-style holiday destination when their team goes on away trips. PNG remains favourite to get the nod from the NRL, but is losing ground in the wake of recent local unrest and safety concerns.

Dogs Rally Behind Struggling Star

Bulldogs fans have rallied behind halfback Drew Hutchison after he was booed off the field during last Sunday's win over the Knights. Hutchison - who isn't a world beater but is a good, solid first grader - was heckled and jeered by a section of the crowd at Homebush when replaced late in the game. But several Bulldogs fan websites have jumped in to defend the 28-year-old utility, who has played every game for the club this season and been solid. "These so-called fans are not supporters of our club," one Bulldogs insider commented. "They are just imbeciles and we would be better if they just went away. "Fortunately they are just a small minority and most of the supporter base is great."

Sharks hardman told to retire immediately

Respected rugby league hardman Dale Finucane is poised to retire from the game on Tuesday. The Sydney Morning Herald reports the Sharks will confirm the veteran has been told by medical professionals to hang up the boots immediately due to repeated concussions. He will front a press conference at Pointsbet Stadium at midday. Finucane, 32, has played 251 games across three NRL clubs. He hasn't been on the field since suffering a fractured cheekbone against the Tigers in round three this season. The south coast product debuted for Canterbury in 2012 and played in that year's grand final, losing to Melbourne. He also played in the Bulldogs' losing grand final team in 2014, going down to the Rabbitohs. Finucane jumped ship to the Storm in 2015 and won premierships with them in 2017 and 2020. The decorated forward joined Cronulla in 2022 on a four-year deal but will finish up 18 months early. He was hailed as a significant signing when he first moved to the Sharks due to his reputation as an outstanding trainer and an important piece in a successful club culture. He managed only 13 games last season due to injury. Finucane played five State of Origin games for New South Wales, debuting in game two of the 2019 series to help the Blues to victory.

Gallen's surprise call on 'absolute monsters'

It's been a long time since there's been this much joy at St George Illawarra, with the influence of new coach Shane Flanagan paying off for the club. After over a decade of mediocrity with very few glimmers of hope, Dragons fans have finally had something to cheer about in 2024, with the side winning four games from its opening seven matches to put itself in the mix for the top eight. Their latest effort - which saw Flanagan's side dismantle premiership contenders the Warriors 30-12 in round seven - has sparked plenty of excitement in Wollongong and extremely rare scenes of jubilation at WIN Stadium. And that level of excitement has even crept up the Princes Highway and into the Shire, with Cronulla legend Paul Gallen full of praise for his old rivals, even tipping them for an unlikely finals berth this year. "They are a good team and I think they are a big chance of the top eight," he said on Nine's 100% Footy on Monday night. "Their team up close and in person, their outside backs are the biggest blokes I've seen in my life, they are absolute monsters. They are powerful, they get their sets started well and they really help their forwards out. "Flanno is doing a great job as coach and [Kyle] Flanagan at halfback is doing a great job just controlling the team around the park. Ben Hunt is on fire at the moment and Zac Lomax is playing the best football of his career. "As a club, Flanno has just made them happier - you can see that they like playing for each other and that's what Flanno does as a coach." Flanagan and Gallen have a close relationship from their time together at the Sharks, which saw the team win their maiden premiership in 2016, and there's very few players who know exactly what the coach can bring to a side. Players who have lacked confidence in the past such as ac Lomax and Tyrell Sloan are now brimming with it, while the return to form of Jaydn Su'A has put the enforcer back in the mix for a State of Origin spot. The 58-year-old coach has even managed to change the mind of veteran halfback Ben Hunt, who was desperate to leave the Red V last year and is now weighing up an extension. St George Illawarra will take on the Roosters in the annual Anzac Day blockbuster on Thursday afternoon.

Dragons' Unsung Hero in Lomax Rampage

Zac Lomax has been getting all the raps for his performance at right centre against the Warriors - and rightly so - he was superb with a try and a towering two-point field goal. But fellow centre Mosese Suli also delighted the Dragons' coaching staff with his best performance of the year. A big man with pace, Suli is a real handful when given the sort of time and space he saw against the woeful Warriors. He scored his team's first try after they fell behind early, ran for 166 metres and had three tackle breaks. With Lomax on the move to Parramatta next year and Jack Bird a utility player, Suli may well start 2025 as the Dragons' number-one choice centre.

Heartwarming reason behind Turbo's celebration

The reason behind Tom Trbojevic's curious try celebration at the Gold Coast on Saturday night can be revealed - and it's one of the most heartwarming stories of 2024. Three weeks ago, Beau Hewitt, a youngster from the Turbo brothers' junior club, Mona Vale Raiders, was diagnosed with stage four cancer in a devastating blow. The brothers - Tom, Jake and Ben - visited the youngster at Sydney Children's Hospital in Randwick - a good hour's drive from their northern beaches homes - on their day off during the week. Tom promised to score a try for the teenager - and then do the 'That's Gold' thumbs-up salute for him. Turbo scored against the Titans - and was true to his word, celebrating for the cameras. It was a lovely touch - and most appreciated by the boy and his family. "We have been through hell the past three weeks but I can't describe what the Turbo boys' gesture has done for Beau," his dad Scott told Wide World of Sports. "To be told out of the blue by a doctor 'Sorry mate, your son's got cancer'… it rocked us. "It's been like a nightmare but then Tom, Ben and Jake came to see him and brought him a bunch of Manly gear. "That just sent Beau through the ceiling. "Then when Tom scored the try and gave the sign, Beau burst into tears… we all did. "They are sensational guys and I can't thank them enough." The family has set up a GoFundMe page for Beau.

Panthers Find a Diamond

The Panthers have come up with a handy addition to their squad in former Bulldogs centre Paul Alamoti. Still only 20, the strongly built centre handed in an impressive debut for the premiers in the win over the Tigers in Bathurst. Alamoti ran for over 130 metres and scored a bruising solo try that proved the turning point of a tough game. The Tigers were right in the hunt until Alamoti charged over, breaking the underdogs' spirit. Alamoti won't be a starter when the Panthers are at full strength but is a fine pick-up who will play his fair share of games in the months ahead.

Pocket Rocket Up Waynes Sleeve

Is Jeremy Marshall-King the most underrated player in the NRL? The younger brother of Benji Marshall has been an outstanding player for the Dolphins over the past two seasons yet rarely gets the plaudits. He gave one of the best performances by a hooker all season in the 44-16 humiliation of the Eels in Darwin, carving up the defence throughout the second half. Unlike many modern- day hookers, Marshall-King is a genuine dummy-half, a player who knows when to run and when to pass and his teammates are the beneficiaries of his good work. Despite missing four of their best players, the Dolphins produced a stunning performance to totally outclass and out-enthuse the Eels.