Melbourne star Jonah Pezet triggers exit clause as Storm face roster shake-up
A Storm star has ignited free agency frenzy after triggering a contract clause, as the club navigates a precarious $3 million roster position that could cost them multiple players.
Melbourne playmaker Jonah Pezet has formally told the Storm that he plans to
explore the open market, setting up a scramble for his services as this year’s grand finalists brace for the departures of Nelson Asofa-Solomona and potentially Ryan Papenhuyzen.
Pezet had a clause in his deal that allowed him to go to
market if the Storm extended Jahrome Hughes and it is understood he has decided to head down that path as a slew of clubs wait in the wings to speak to the young half.
Parramatta, Canberra, Gold Coast and North Queensland are all believed to be monitoring his situation, although it should be stressed that Pezet hasn’t ruled out staying at the Storm.
His future could yet have ramifications for Queensland captain Cameron Munster.
If Pezet leaves, Munster is certain to stay. If Pezet stays, Munster could explore his options or alternatively move to fullback should Papenhuyzen elect to depart given he is expected to join rebel rugby union competition R360 at the end of next year.
Asofa-Solomona has almost certainly played his last game for the club – this masthead was told that he informed teammates on Wednesday of his plans to depart, having missed the grand final for the second year in succession through suspension.
Pezet made eight appearances for the Storm this season but he showed his class when he stepped in for the injured Hughes during the club’s win over the Bulldogs in the opening week of the finals.
He will have no shortage of suitors but Melbourne haven’t given up hope of keeping him at the club.
Papenhuyzen and Asofa-Solomona appear to be different stories – the former is expected to provide the club with some clarity around his future within days while the latter looks to be on the move.
Papenhuyzen looks destined for R360 as the competition prepares to begin on October 2 next year – a move which could result in him being frozen out of the NRL.
ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys met club bosses on Wednesday to discuss the threat of R360 and the game’s stance on the breakaway rugby union competition, which has targeted a handful of NRL players.
V’landys was tight-lipped after the meeting, revealing that a decision on sanctions against players and agents at the centre of the defections would be finalised at a commission meeting next week.
As V’landys was meeting club bosses, Melbourne officials were locked in meetings to determine what their squad would look like next season.
Papenhuyzen has at least one more year remaining on his deal but there is every chance the Storm allow him to leave in advance as he prepares to join R360 when their inaugural season kicks off on October 2.
This masthead was told that Papenhuyzen had already signed a short-form contract with R360 which requires him to have a medical before Christmas.
The contract begins on July 1, although this masthead can reveal that the contract expressly states that both parties agree to do nothing which puts the player in breach of an existing contract with a third party.
All the players currently in discussions with R360 including South Sydney’s Jye Gray and Brisbane superstar Payne Haas, are contracted until the end of 2026, which means their deals come to an end on October 31 next year.
In the case of Parramatta and NSW winger Zac Lomax, he is contracted until the end of 2028. The terms of the R360 contract state that both parties expressly agree to do nothing which results in the player being in breach of any existing contract.
It adds that no part of the R360 agreement obliges the player to do anything which is in breach of any such existing contract. If any part of the agreement would put the player in breach of their existing agreement, the contract with R360 will only come into effect when their existing contract expires or ceases to exist.
The R360 short-form contract also states that the person shall not extend or renew their current deal if it means they cannot meet their commitments to R360.
In other words, once Papenhuyzen or any other players signs a contract with R360, they risk legal action if they change their mind and negotiate fresh terms with their current rugby league club.
