Eli Katoa may not be able to take to the field in the purple jersey this season, but he has accepted a different role with the Storm as he continues his recovery from a brain injury.

The 26-year-old is slowly settling back into life in the Storm‘s training facilities after undergoing surgery following a series of frightening head knocks during Tonga’s loss to New Zealand in the Pacific Championships late last year.

Katoa has been ruled out of the entire 2026 season, with many questioning if he will return to the field. But the second-rower is determined to play the game once again.

READ MORE: Legendary horse Makybe Diva dies aged 26

READ MORE: Test great tasked with fixing leaky Cowboys defence

READ MORE: Messi knocked down as fans storm pitch in ugly scenes

“I just want to let everyone know that I’m healthy now,” he said in an interview published by the Melbourne Storm.

“I’ve been training hard the last two or three months with no symptoms, so I’m going great at the moment.”

Katoa expressed his gratitude for those who contacted him while he was in hospital and revealed that he still receives messages wishing him the best with his health.

He then singled out one person he was most thankful for during his time in hospital, being his partner Tui, who had originally planned to watch Tonga face New Zealand and then return home to work.

“She was the one right by my side with what I’ve been through,” Katoa said.

Watch the 2026 NRL season live and free on Nine and 9Now.

“She ended up staying in Auckland for two weeks to look after me.

“She keeps telling me that the first thing I said to her (after surgery) was ‘watch me fight through this and I will definitely come back’.

“I am so grateful for Tui and what she did for me by looking after me, and she’s still looking after me now.”

Eli Katoa of the Storm warms up for the Melbourne Storm.  Getty

Still, even when it looked as though a return to rugby league could be a long time away, Katoa remained determined that he would don the Storm jersey once again.

For now, Katoa will don the Storm’s trainer jersey to assist his teammates each week.

His first time in the role was during the Storm’s 42-12 pre-season loss to the Titans.

“I was watching them last weekend at the last trial and I started to cry wishing that I was there with them, but I know these boys will do a good job for our club,” he said.

“I just wish I could be out there with them.

“This club here is so good to me and they’re trying to keep me involved with everything that we do here.

“Obviously I can’t play for a while but they came up with the idea of me being around the group with the blue shirt.”

Ryan Hinchcliffe, a Storm great, typically wears the blue jersey in first-grade matches. Katoa says he will only take the jersey away from Hinchcliffe if a fill-in is needed.

“I’d probably prefer to be playing with the boys, but to be involved with whatever they do means a lot to me,” Katoa continued.

“It’s been good to go with them to the game. I’m just grateful that I’m there with the boys because I get to run around with them and have a laugh outside on the sidelines.

“Hopefully as the time goes on, I can start doing more things.”

The Melbourne Storm will host the Parramatta Eels in round one.