The Sydney Roosters are reportedly preparing a bold move to secure young Melbourne Storm playmaker Jonah Pezet, with sources suggesting the club is willing to pay out his release clause to sign him on a long-term deal beginning in 2026.
🔥 A Statement of Intent
According to reports emerging from multiple Sydney outlets, the Roosters have identified Pezet as their top recruitment target for the upcoming trade period. Club insiders say the Tricolours are ready to activate Pezet’s player-option release from his Melbourne contract — a clause that allows him to negotiate elsewhere following Jahrome Hughes’ re-signing through 2030.
While the Storm are keen to retain their 22-year-old half, the Roosters’ pursuit underscores their intent to rebuild a dominant spine for the next decade.
“He’s the type of half you can build a club around,” said one Roosters source familiar with discussions. “Jonah’s got poise, a great kicking game, and the sort of composure we value.”
💰 The Deal on the Table
Pezet’s current contract with Melbourne reportedly runs until the end of 2029, but his unique exit clause could be triggered as early as the 2025 off-season.
The Roosters are believed to be preparing a multi-year offer worth in excess of $1.1 million per season, a figure that would immediately elevate him into the NRL’s top tier of young playmakers.
If successful, the move would form part of a larger roster reshuffle, with the Roosters looking to pair Pezet alongside emerging hooker Brandon Smith and fullback James Tedesco’s eventual successor to anchor their attack beyond 2026.
⚖️ Storm’s Dilemma
Melbourne face a difficult choice. With Hughes and Cameron Munster both contracted long-term, Pezet’s pathway to regular first-grade football remains uncertain. Storm officials have publicly praised Pezet’s development but privately admit they can’t match the figures likely to be tabled by Sydney.
“We want him here long term, but he deserves a chance to play consistent NRL football,” one Storm insider said.
🔮 What It Means for the Roosters
If the deal goes ahead, it would mark the Roosters’ most significant halfback signing since Cooper Cronk’s arrival in 2018 — another former Melbourne general who went on to deliver premiership glory at Bondi.
The parallels are hard to ignore: both players are products of the Storm’s system, both known for their professionalism and cool heads under pressure, and both potentially transformative for Trent Robinson’s side.
🏁 The Bottom Line
Negotiations are ongoing, but all signs point to a major off-season story in the making. If the Roosters can pull it off, the recruitment of Jonah Pezet could be the blockbuster move that reshapes the NRL’s balance of power heading into 2026.
