Jahrome Hughes has been nudging Melbourne halves partner Cameron Munster to recommit to the NRL club amid strong interest from the Dolphins in his home state of Queensland.
The NRL newcomers, led by the legendary Wayne Bennett, are coming hard at Munster with a reported deal worth more than a $1 million a season as they prepare to enter the competition next year.
The Redcliffe-based franchise has already secured the signatures of Storm veterans Jesse Bromwich, Kenny Bromwich and Felise Kaufusi ahead of their debut season.
State-of-Origin hero Munster is contracted until the end of the 2023 season but interest has already shifted to his future with fellow spine stars Hughes, Harry Grant and Ryan Papenhuyzen now locked away at the Storm long-term.
Hughes, whose re-signing at the Storm was announced with those of Grant and Xavier Coates earlier this month, has been giving the five-eighth some gentle encouragement to pen a new deal.
"I've been getting stuck into him (Munster) actually, but he's given me nothing at the moment," Hughes said on Wednesday.
"Hopefully he can stay, that was one of the key components of me staying was hopefully him staying as well.
"But he's got to do what's best for him with his young family."
Munster entered a rehab clinic in the off-season, later revealing he'd dealt with gambling and binge drinking issues.
"He's always been an awesome bloke but he had a few things he needed to sort out," said Hughes.
"You just can tell how happy he is with the way he's playing and how skinny he's looking compared to the last couple of years."
The Storm have enjoyed another fine start to the season to sit 4-1 ahead of Saturday night's blockbuster clash with Cronulla (also 4-1), and former teammates Dale Finucane and Nicho Hynes, at AAMI Park.
Grant believed the focus had to remain on winning another premiership and making up for last year's final heartbreak rather than off-field matters.
"He (Munster) has still got this year and next year so we don't want to look too far ahead," said Grant.
"Everyone in the squad's just focused on this season.
"He knows all the boys love him and want him to stay here.
"He's a player you definitely want to play alongside, you don't want to play against him.
"I played against him when I was at the Tigers and it wasn't fun."
