Melbourne star Jahrome Hughes is relishing a grand final preparation free of distraction, admitting last season's Dally M experience was "draining" in the build-up to the decider.
Hughes won rugby league's highest individual honour in 2024, but missed out on the ultimate prize when the Storm were beaten by Ivan Cleary's Penrith premiership juggernaut.
The 30-year-old halfback had one of his worst games of the season against the Panthers amid concerns over neck, shoulder and back injuries.
Hughes again shapes as one of the keys to the grand final this year, with the Storm taking on Brisbane at Accor Stadium on Sunday night.
It comes after he made a remarkable recovery from a fractured forearm to star in the preliminary final win over Cronulla, having also dislocated his shoulder in July.
Hughes hopes to reap benefits from a quieter build-up to this year's decider as the Storm chase their first premiership since 2020.
"I haven't played that well this year so I didn't get invited," Hughes said of Wednesday night's Dally M awards ceremony.
"There's a lot of different stuff that different individuals can lean back on from last year and learn what they've done in their preparation.
"I felt like for myself the Dally Ms was a bit of a draining time for me, and even though I tried to not make it as draining as I could, it still took a lot out of me.
"This year it's good. I can just go up to Sydney and chill for a bit and get ready for the game."
Melbourne, who finished second on the regular-season ladder, have four Dally M award nominees: Xavier Coates (wing), Cameron Munster (five-eighth), Stefano Utoikamanu (prop) and Eliesa Kotoa (back row).
"I'll be watching because we've got a few boys attending, so it will be good to hopefully see them take home some silverware," Hughes said.
"I'll just be sitting on the couch and cheering them on."
Hughes completed the fastest return on record from a fractured arm last Friday night and showed no signs of pain in his comeback against the Sharks.
He defended on the wing, but was able to fend off tackles in the lead-up to his brilliant first-half try and is confident he can back up that performance in the grand final.
"I pulled up really good," Hughes said.
"It was my first game in a while, so the rest of my body's a bit banged up, but other than that I feel really good.
"A week of recovery and another week of training is always going to do good for me.
"Hopefully I'll prep really well and put in a good performance on the weekend."
