LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
The competition to secure the talents of young Melbourne Storm player Jonah Pezet is heating up, with a new club entering the mix while another has stepped back.
Pezet, considered a potential successor to established Storm halves Cameron Munster and Jahrome Hughes, is under contract with the Storm until 2029. However, following Hughes' contract extension, Pezet is now classified as a free agent due to a clause in his contract, allowing him to explore opportunities with other teams.
As a former junior State of Origin player, Pezet is highly regarded as one of the premier young halves in rugby league, ensuring he will attract significant interest from several clubs. His future remains uncertain as yet another team has expressed interest in him.
Initially linked with the Gold Coast Titans, it has now been reported by News Corp that the North Queensland Cowboys have entered the race to sign Pezet. They are preparing for the 2026 season with plans for a new spine that will include Reed Mahoney.
On the other hand, The Canberra Times has reported that the Canberra Raiders have joined the Newcastle Knights in deciding to withdraw from contention for Pezet, having once viewed him as a potential replacement for the departing Jamal Fogarty.
The Raiders' decision to pull out comes as they approach signing Daine Laurie on a three-year deal from the Penrith Panthers, which affects their capacity to accommodate Pezet's salary within their salary cap.