Melbourne Storm faces NRL crisis with match review panel unhappy with late Jahrome Hughes shot

Melbourne faces a possible mid-term crisis with Jahrome Hughes at risk of joining Cameron Munster on the NRL sideline after being charged with late contact.

Hughes is the only player facing a ban for Saturday’s NRL games, with six other players able to get away with a fine.

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The Storm halfback earned the wrath of the match review panel for a late shot at Gold Coast’s Tanah Boyd after making contact after a kick in his team’s 38-34 loss.

Hughes can accept a one-game ban for the second-class charge or risk missing a second week if he fights it in the judiciary and loses.

Melbourne were hoping Munster could return for Friday’s clash with Wests Tigers after finger surgery with five eights, but his comeback is in doubt.

It means the Storm could be without its two first-choice halves for the first time since mid-2021.

If both are out, Nick Meaney is likely to switch from full-back to rookie Jonah Pezet at half-time.

Sualauvi Faalogo would then be an option to debut in the backline and possibly No.1.

Another possibility would be the Storm pushing Tyran Wishart or Jayden Nikorima into the half alongside Pezet.

The Storm’s loss to the Titans means they have finished two straight rounds outside the top 10 of the leaderboard for the first time since 2014.

Storm center Justin Olam has also been charged with shooting at Boyd but may face a $750 fine.

Olam was not penalized for the on-field hit, but Boyd was forced off the field with a concussion.

The charges come after coach Craig Bellamy blasted the team for their efforts in the loss.

“I’ve never seen some of the things I’ve seen,” Bellamy said.

“Our problem at the moment is that the care factor seems very, very low

“You’d think it would have been better (after last weekend’s defeat).

“I’m not exactly sure how to fix this.”

Gold Coast couple David Fifita and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui have been charged with dangerous contact and a shoulder penalty, respectively.

North Queensland second rower Jeremiah Nanai has paid the most expensive price for his Saturday night, receiving a $3,000 fine for dangerous contact with Te Maire Martin after two charges last year.