Melbourne halfback Jahrome Hughes has credited ex-Kiwis coach Michael Maguire for his surge into Dally M medal favouritism as player of the year

Hughes is poised to guide the minor premier Storm side in their home qualifying final against Cronulla on Saturday after his most dominant and consistent season since making an NRL debut in 2013.

The 29-year-old says he approached this season with a deeds-not-words mindset, spurred on by Maguire.

Hughes says in the past he'd worried too much about what his teammates were doing instead of leading by example.

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