'Bigger problem' for hospitalised star after 'dire' injury

Melbourne's premiership hopes have been dealt a major blow on Thursday night, with superstar halfback Jahrome Hughes suffering a dislocated shoulder.

The reigning Dally M Medal winner was forced from the field early in the second half of his side's victory against the Sydney Roosters and looked to be in total agony.

Hughes reached out to try and make a tackle on a runaway James Tedesco and landed awkwardly, immediately clutching at his shoulder.

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"If that's a dislocated shoulder or something of that nature, this would be a massive moment in Melbourne's season," Mat Thompson said on Nine.

"I think the Storm faithful are collectively grimacing, along with Jahrome Hughes who is being helped off the field here … this looks very dire.

"You never knock a champion team, but Melbourne's premiership hopes might be walking off with Jahrome Hughes here. That did not look good."

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League legend Andrew Johns admitted it was a tough sight for Hughes and the club.

"Melbourne Storm fans, hold your breath," he said on commentary.

"Look at his face, he knows something is going on.

"They have been short favourites to win the competition all year and rightly so - but to win a competition, you've gotta have luck with injuries."

News then surfaced mid-way through the second half that the Storm had been forced to call an ambulance for the 30-year-old playmaker.

Speaking to media after the thrilling 34-30 win, head coach Craig Bellamy admitted there could be a "bigger problem" for the Kiwis halfback.

"He's gone to hospital, the doctor's gone with him - not really sure," Bellamy said.

"It's dislocated and they couldn't get it in. He will probably have to go under [anesthetic] to get it in. Whether he's got a crack in it as well, we might not know until tomorrow. You'd like to think they will get it back in tonight.

"I've experienced it myself, I had both my shoulders reconstructed. I think the longer they are out, it's a bigger problem. The longer it's out, the more it stretches the ligaments and muscles around the joint ... I don't think it's overly good news.

"He's in the best care and it's just finding out the severity of it. Has he done other damage other than just dislocating it? Until they have a scan, we aren't gonna know.

"It's obviously not good news, but we're not quite sure the severity of it."

Melbourne were already without fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen due to a calf injury, while five-eighth Cameron Munster was unavailable on personal grounds.

Johns pointed to young half Jonah Pezet as a potential replacement in the No.7 jumper, while utility Tyran Wishart could also be an option.

"Their saving grace is they signed the young star Jonah Pezet," he said.

"He looked like he was going elsewhere, but he decided to stay on."