Jonah Pezet‘s manager Braith Anasta has confirmed reports about the three NRL clubs vying for the Storm young gun’s signature. But the former premiership winner has revealed there is a fourth club right in the mix to secure the hottest halves prospect on the open market.
Pezet has shown he’s ready to be a starting halfback in the NRL after impressing in the absence of first-choice Storm No.7 Jahrome Hughes. And Anasta has made it clear that the talented youngster is eager for more game time in 2026 after being stuck behind Hughes when the Dally M Medallist is available.
Jonah Pezet’s (centre) manager Braith Anasta (L) says there is a mystery fourth NRL club looking to sign the Storm young gun. Pic: Getty
The 22-year-old is contracted at the Storm until the end of 2029 but a clause in his deal means the back-up half can leave on loan or as a free agent after Melbourne extended Hughes on a new long-term deal this year. Parramatta and North Queensland have both reportedly tabled offers for the young gun.
And it’s understood Pezet is also weighing up an offer to stay at the Storm and continue to learn under the tutelage of master coach, Craig Bellamy. Anasta has always maintained Pezet is a strong chance to remain in Melbourne but revealed on the BSU podcast that there is a fourth team also in the battle to land the youngster’s signature.
“I’ll say this, the one’s that have been reported – Parramatta, Cowboys and Melbourne – are right,” Anasta said about the frontrunners for Pezet signature. “But there’s someone else that you’ll probably find out in the next few days that could surprise a few people.”
Anasta did not divulge any further details about who the mystery suitor was, but it’s sent the NRL rumour mill into overdrive. Pezet would be an exciting successor to Adam Reynolds at the Broncos but the veteran halfback seemingly put retirement rumours to bed after Brisbane’s premiership triumph.
Speculation was rife that Reynolds might retire after the grand final and his second premiership victory would be a fitting way to end a glittering career. But the Broncos captain said he was keen to go around again in 2026. If Reynolds decides to backflip on that stance it would certainly be a surprise.
Adam Reynolds said he was keen to play on with the Broncos in 2026 after their NRL grand final victory. Pic: Getty
Jonah Pezet revelation sends NRL rumour mill into overdrive
Gold Coast are another club being mentioned as a potential landing spot for Pezet. New Titans coach Josh Hannay has been on the lookout for a half to replace the recently retired Kieran Foran, and was reportedly exploring a swap deal for Dragons playmaker Lachlan Ilias that would have seen Phillip Sami move in the opposite direction.
But Sami’s manager Paul Hogan revealed on Wednesday that Hannay wants the ex-Queensland flyer on deck for 2026 and he’ll remain at the Titans next season. It still leaves the Titans in search of a new half but it remains to be seen whether they’d be able to match the rival offers tabled for Pezet.
Other clubs such as the Perth Bears, Dragons and Raiders have also expressed an interest in signing the 22-year-old. It’s understood Pezet is happy in Melbourne though and would be keen to stay at the club if the Storm can guarantee him a halves spot next season.
The future of Storm young gun Jonah Pezet has been a topic of hot discussion around the NRL world. Pic: Getty
But as league reporter Michael Caryannis explained recently, that would probably be dependent on Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen leaving the club and five-eighth Cameron Munster shifting to fullback. Papenhuyzen has been linked with a switch to rugby, while Munster is expected to receive huge offers from Perth, meaning Pezet could potentially sign a one-year deal with a rival before returning to Melbourne in 2027 when the situation is clearer for him.
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“The only way the Storm can keep Jonah Pezet and Munster at the club long-term, with Jahrome Hughes, is if Papenhuyzen leaves and Munster goes to fullback,” Caryannis told SEN radio. Parramatta are considered favourites to land Pezet though, with the youngster’s pre-existing relationship with coach Jason Ryles and the Eels’ strong salary cap situation key to their pursuit.