More questions have emerged about Nelson Asofa-Solomona’s future at the Melbourne Storm after Craig Bellamy’s side were thrashed 40-10 in the legendary coach’s 600th game on Friday night. The Storm led 10-0 at half-time against the Roosters, and looked to be well on their way to saluting in their beloved coach’s milestone game.
But the Roosters scored 40 unanswered points in the second stanza – the most ever conceded by a Storm side in one half. There was a turning point early in the second half when Asofa-Solomona gave away a penalty for not getting back behind the play-the-ball before taking possession.
Nelson Asofa-Solomona (centre) is facing an uncertain future at the Melbourne Storm. Image: AAP/Getty
The hulking prop was in an offside position when he inexplicably stuck his hand out and touched the ball before Cameron Munster was about to take possession. The ensuing penalty gave the Roosters prime field position for Mark Nawaqanitawase to score the first of his four tries.
Asofa-Solomona, who’s played 14 Test matches for New Zealand and 213 career games for the Melbourne Storm, has been well below his best in 2025 and struggled to crack the first-grade team. He’s only played 11 games this season, despite being on a reported $900,000 per year.
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On Friday night he had just five runs for 42 metres in 42 minutes on the field, and gave away three penalties. One of the penalties saw him placed on report, and could result in a ban considering his poor disciplinary record.
Asofa-Solomona was the talk of social media during the game, with many suggesting Bellamy simply can’t afford to pick him for the rest of the season. With Josh King and Eli Katoa set to come back after being rested for the Roosters game, Asofa-Solomona will likely make way.
Some even suggested he might not have much of a future at the club, despite being under contract until the end of 2027. Reports emerged earlier this month that Melbourne might be trying to offload Asofa-Solomona and his giant contract to try and free up the money to lure Tino Fa’asuamaleaui back to the club from the Titans.
I don’t think bellyache would pick him
anyway, he’s been 🚮 tonight
— Rugby League 4 Eva (@rugbyleague4eva) August 29, 2025
Depending if we rest players again in the final round it’s safe to say Seve, Bradley & Nelson have played their last games for the Storm this year & if we can find a suitor Nelson has played his last game for the club. #NRLStormRoosters
— Shiellsy (@chadnotweet) August 29, 2025
Will say it again I think tonight was Nelson Asofa-Solomona’s last chance. Craig started him as prop in his 600th game as coach & he repaid him with 42 meters, 3 penalties & a report. He’s on $7-800K a year & is a liability. That $ could be spent elsewhere. #NRLStormRoosters
— Shiellsy (@chadnotweet) August 29, 2025
Warbrick impressive return-timely✅but why does Loiero make 2-3 momentum coach/fellow player killer mistakes every game❌and Nelson not far behind him too❌
— WoMac (@MakiWomac) August 29, 2025
Craig Bellamy blasts ’embarrassing’ Storm performance
Speaking in his post-game press conference, Bellamy described his side’s second-half performance as ’embarrassing’. The Storm only managed five completed sets in the second half and missed 25 tackles as the Roosters ran in seven tries.
“It was like a different team in the second half and I really can’t say how disappointed I am in that performance, especially coming at this time of the year,” Bellamy said after his 600th game was soured by the loss. “That’s embarrassing – that’s about the nicest word I could use.
“We’ll get together and come up with a few things then we’ll work on that and see what happens. At the end of the day, it’s about getting close to the other competition at the end of the season and if some of the players can’t get excited for that, we don’t want them in the team.
“When the finals start, you want everyone on board and doing what the team needs you to do and go from there. If they don’t want to be on board, they can come and sit with me.”
Roosters players congratulate Craig Bellamy after his 600th game. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
In good news for the Storm, Bellamy said Jahrome Hughes is a chance to return next week in the final game of the regular season. Xavier Coates and Nick Meaney will also be back on deck after being rested for the Roosters game, but captain Harry Grant has one more game to serve in his suspension.