Speculation is rife that Melbourne will go after a big fish like Tino Fa’asuamaleaui after the Storm announced on Thursday that two-time premiership-winner Nelson Asofa-Solomona has been granted an immediate release. The Kiwi played 215 games for the Storm, winning premierships in 2017 and 2020.
He was one of the premier front-rowers of the competition in years gone by, but fell out of favour with Storm coach Craig Bellamy this season. Asofa-Solomona was banned for the last two grand finals (which the Storm both lost), and club officials reportedly grew tired with his lack of discipline.
Nelson Asofa-Solomona (L) has left the Melbourne Storm, and Ryan Papenhuyzen’s (second from left) future is also clouded. Image: AAP
“I have been committed to the Storm since signing as a junior in 2011,” Asofa-Solomona said in a statement on Thursday. “With over 10 years now at the top-level and given all I have achieved with the club, I have chosen to step away and consider other opportunities and new challenges.
“I’ve loved my time in Melbourne. I’m very thankful to all the players, coaches and staff that I had the privilege to work alongside during my time at such a prestigious club.”
Asofa-Solomona is being targeted by rebel rugby competition R360, and looms as the first NRL player to jump ship. Crucially, because he asked for a release from the Storm, the club will get about $1.7 million in salary cap relief.
Asofa-Solomona was contracted until the end of 2027 on a deal worth $850,000 per year. The Storm will now get that money back and could head to market to replace him.
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui linked with return to Melbourne Storm
With Ryan Papenhuyzen also believed to be heading to R360 at some stage, that’s another $900,000 the Storm could get back. It all points to Melbourne making a play for a superstar free agent, and Fa’asuamaleaui is the name on everyone’s lips.
The Queensland State of Origin star started his career at the Storm, helping the club win the 2020 premiership. But he signed a mega-deal to join the Gold Coast Titans in 2021.
Ryan Papenhuyzen and Cameron Munster’s futures are uncertain, while Nelson Asofa-Solomona is likely to join R360. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
The 25-year-old is technically under contract with the Titans until the end of 2033, but has a clause in his contract that means he can become a free agent as of November 1 this year. It means he can test the open market in a matter of days, and is free to sign elsewhere for 2027.
Back in August, former Storm player Brandon Smith said he’d heard whispers the club is keen to bring Fa’asuamaleaui back. Smith said Asofa-Solomona’s future could hold the key, and one piece of the puzzle has now left.
Bellamy responded at the time: “I can honestly say that’s the first time I heard that (the Tino rumours). So I guess the recruitment guys are keeping it from me or who knows … we’d certainly like to have him back, but I’m not quite sure he’d fit back into our (salary) cap at the moment.”
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui started his career at the Melbourne Storm. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
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Cameron Munster’s future is also clouded amid links to R360 and the Perth Bears. It all points to the Storm going on a massive shopping spree depending on how the pieces fall into place.
One Storm fan wrote on social media about Asofa-Solomona: “Shame but the last few years haven’t worked out for him and on $850k a year it’s costly to the club. If Paps goes there’s another $850k plus the others, big Tino incoming. Club needs to bring in fresh blood, two losses in the GF so need to change things up.”
Another wrote: “The Storm are likely to go in for Tino now with NAS [money].” While a third added: “Storm will probably go all out to get Tino.”