The Melbourne Storm have signed Trent Toelau from the Penrith Panthers as depth in the halves following the departure of Jonah Pezet. The Storm announced on Wednesday morning that Toelau, Jack Hetherington and Manaia Waitere will all join the club for 2026.
Toelau played 14 NRL games for the Panthers after making his debut in 2024, as well as 53 in reserve-grade. He played two games of first-grade in 2025, and was predominantly used in the halves when Nathan Cleary was out. The 26-year-old can also play dummy-half and will provide the Storm some handy depth in the spine.
Craig Bellamy (L) and the Storm have signed two former Panthers players. Image: AAP
The Panthers have brought in Jack Cogger and Freddy Lussick for 2026, which put Toelau even further down the pecking order at Penrith. At the Storm he’ll likely serve as the primary back-up for starting halves Cameron Munster and Jahrome Hughes, alongside Tyran Wishart.
Toelau represented the Storm at Jersey Flegg level (under-21s) before moving to Penrith in 2021. On Wednesday, the Storm also confirmed the signings of Hetherington from Newcastle and Waitere from the Raiders. An outside back with one game of NRL experience, Waitere was released by the Raiders to make room for the immediate arrival of Coby Black from the Broncos.
Trent Toelau and Jack Hetherington are heading to the Melbourne Storm. Image: Getty
Jack Hetherington to help Storm after Eli Katoa ruled out
Hetherington has played 96 NRL games across his career with the Panthers, Warriors, Bulldogs and Knights. He played 17 games for the Panthers between 2018 and 2020, and 20 at the Bulldogs across 2021 and 2022.
His most significant contribution came at Newcastle between 2023 and 2025 when he featured in 53 games at NRL level. He’ll provide immediate help to a Storm forward pack missing Eli Katoa, who’s been ruled out for the entire 2026 season after undergoing brain surgery following three separate head knocks in the Pacific Championships.
“Jack, Trent and Manaia each bring their own strengths to our group, and we’re excited for what they can offer both in the short-term and into next season,” said the Storm’s director of football Frank Ponissi. “Jack provides proven NRL experience, while Trent and Manaia are young players with impressive talent. We believe all three will thrive in our environment, and we’re thrilled to welcome them to our Storm family.”
Future of Melbourne Storm players under cloud
The Storm are going through a period of major upheaval. Ryan Papenhuyzen has quit the NRL to consider his future playing professional sport, while Nelson Asofa-Solomona has reportedly decided to switch to boxing after being granted a release from the final two years of his deal with Melbourne.
Pezet will play for Parramatta in 2026 before moving to Brisbane in 2027, while Katoa won’t play at all next season. Wishart’s future at the Storm is under a cloud amid revelations he’s flown to Perth to tour the Bears’ facilities. The Illawarra junior is off contract at the end of 2026 and free to negotiate with rival clubs about 2027.
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Nick Meaney is also off contract in 2027 and in the Perth Bears’ sights, and it was reported on Tuesday that back-rower Shawn Blore could also depart the club. Blore is under contract for 2026, but is said to be eyeing a move back to Sydney for 2027.
The 25-year-old has played 48 games for the Storm. He started his career with 33 games for the Wests Tigers.