LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
In a shock revelation, Jahrome Hughes, fresh off his Dally M triumph, nearly walked away from the Melbourne Storm before a game-changing event saved his career.
The 29-year-old, who emerged victorious as the Dally M winner on Wednesday night, was on the brink of donning the New Zealand Warriors jersey in 2019, had it not been for a major twist of fate.
Hughes' manager spilled the beans that the dynamic halfback would have likely found himself back in his homeland if not for the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Initially starting out as a fullback and with limited opportunities at the Titans and Cowboys, Hughes struggled to make his mark in the NRL.
It wasn't until he caught the eye of coach Craig Bellamy in reserve grade that Hughes found himself at the Storm in 2017.
However, faced with tough competition from the likes of Cooper Cronk, Cameron Munster, and Ryan Papenhuyzen, Hughes was considering a move back to New Zealand due to homesickness.
But fate intervened when international travel restrictions prevented Hughes from returning home during the pandemic.
This unexpected turn of events led to a positional switch to halfback, where Hughes excelled, especially after Cronk's departure to the Roosters.
The rest, as they say in the Rugby League world, is history.