KNIGHTS LAUNCH BID FOR PEZET
Melbourne are facing a multimillion-dollar fight for Jonah Pezet as they brace for the young half to make a call on his future next week amid a monster $2.5 million bid to lure him back to Newcastle involving the Knights’ biggest star.
Pezet and his agent Braith Anasta have been locked in talks for weeks with the Storm over a contract extension – he entered the final year of his existing deal on November 1.
The emerging playmaker is regarded as one of the game’s rising stars and despite having made only 10 appearances in the NRL, it is understood the Knights have weighed in with an offer reflective of his growing status in the game.
As part of their pitch, Sunday Sesh understands the Knights took Pezet out for an intimate dinner which was also attended by Newcastle captain and superstar Kalyn Ponga.
The Storm have also tabled a sizeable offer for Pezet as they look to ensure they secure their long-term successor to Jahrome Hughes.
Sunday Sesh understands that a crucial meeting next week with Melbourne is likely to have a decisive say over Pezet’s future as his camp seek assurances he will have the option to leave if Hughes signs a new deal.
Hughes is contracted until the end of 2026 and is likely to demand in excess of $1 million a season on his next deal, which will coincide with the addition of a new team in 2027.
Hughes is likely to be in hot demand.
Pezet is as well given the lack of quality halves on the market and his burgeoning reputation, which has only grown as he has recovered from a knee injury that prematurely ended last season.
The Knights loom as the most serious threat to Melbourne after tabling a deal which is believed to be worth in the vicinity of $2.5 million over four years.
A move to Newcastle would represent a homecoming of sorts for Pezet.
He was a member of Newcastle’s junior representative teams from 2018 until the end of the 2020 season, playing Harold Matthews and SG Ball for the club.
He then moved to the Melbourne Storm but rugby league was awash with rumours on Friday that Pezet was close to making a move back to the Knights, although it is understood the Storm remain well and truly in the mix as they prepare for crunch talks with the 21-year-old.
