Jahrome Hughes inflicts blow on James Tedesco in massive step towards NRL Dally M award

Jahrome Hughes has once again put in a player-of-the-match performance against the Broncos to continue his late push for a maiden Dally M medal in a huge blow for Roosters star James Tedesco. Hughes has arguably been the best NRL player of the 2024 season having helped guide the Storm to a minor premiership.

Hughes achieved this feat without halves partner Cameron Munster who was injured for the majority of the season. And Hughes all but guaranteed himself six Dally M votes on Thursday night after scoring a hat-trick, providing two try assists, four line breaks, three line break assists and running for 123 metres as a halfback.

The New Zealand international was involved in everything for the Storm as they thrashed a hapless Broncos outfit 50-12 as Melbourne take momentum into the NRL finals. Hughes missed last week's clash, which cost him a chance of Dally M points, but would be aware fellow frontrunner Tedesco endured a tough outing against the Raiders.

And Tedesco might need to respond with a mammoth game of his own against rivals South Sydney if he is to be confident of winning another Dally M award. However, many feel Hughes' form in the second-half of the season can't be overlooked.

Former Storm No.7 and four-time premiership winner Cooper Cronk claimed Hughes should be favourite to take home the prestigious individual award after a standout season. “He is in red-hot form in season 2024. He might just finish it with a Dally M and potentially a premiership ring as well,” Cronk said during Fox Sports commentary.

Michael Ennis echoed Cronk's sentiment and praised Hughes' career-best form. “Marching towards the Dally M medal, Jahrome Hughes, after being rested last week has come in and single-handedly (torn the Broncos to shreds),” he said.

“He’s had some good players around him… but it’s all come off the back of what Jahrome Hughes is doing. He is absolutely killing them through the middle."

Many NRL fans also agreed Hughes could be impossible to stop when it comes to the Dally M voting. Despite being surrounded by a number of superstars in the Melbourne jersey, Hughes has stood out in 2024 above the likes of Ryan Papenhuyzen, Cameron Munster and Harry Grant.

Jahrome Hughes favourite in Dally M race

Alongside superstars Grant and Papenhuyzen, the halfback didn't accumulate as many Dally M points as Tedesco in the first-half of the season before the voting went behind closed doors. Tedesco has been outstanding all season and has continually excelled in the league's most formidable attacking team.

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While many believe Hughes will still win his first Dally M medal after a number of standout performances, it could be a close race in 2024. Tedesco has a chance to add to his tally against a weakened Rabbitohs team missing Latrell Mitchell and Cameron Murray. Bellamy's decision to rest the No.7 against the Cowboys in round 26 could also be a telling moment in the season if Tedesco earned a vote for his performance against Canberra.

Dylan Edwards was leading with 31 points when voting went behind closed doors with Nicho Hynes not far behind on 30. Edwards missed a number of weeks due to State of Origin and injury, which could hamper his chances of wining the medal for the first time.