The heartbreaking absence of Eliesa Katoa in 2026 is yet another blow for the Storm, who are reeling from the gun back-rower’s head injury in the Pacific Championships.

Katoa was ruled out for the entire 2026 season this week after undergoing brain surgery following a series of head knocks during Tonga’s clash with New Zealand this month.

The 25-year-old had established himself as one of the NRL’s elite edge forwards over the past few seasons since moving to Melbourne from the Warriors.

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Eliesa Katoa Getty

This year, Katoa scored 14 tries and averaged 143 run metres per game, becoming a real attacking threat for the Storm on their run into the grand final.

The devastating setback has left the club reeling and Katoa will continue to recover from the surgery, with grave concerns held over his long-term rugby league future.

In the shorter term however, Melbourne have been left to pick up the pieces and will need to start putting plans in place for how they will attack next season.

While they remain one of the premiership heavyweights due to their star-studded spine and legendary coach Craig Bellamy, the off-season has seen plenty of changes.

On top of Katoa’s unexpected absence, the club have also farewelled Ryan Papenhuyzen and Nelson Asofa-Solomona, with both players granted early releases.

Jonah Pezet, who had only played limited first grade in the halves, also triggered a clause to leave the Storm earlier than anticipated and join the Eels.

Jonah Pezet, Ryan Papenhuyzen and Nelson Asofa-Solomona Getty

Papenhuyzen has been a key part of Melbourne’s success over the past half a decade, winning the Clive Churchill Medal in the 2020 grand final triumph, but was let go as he pursues a potential move to rugby union with rebel competition R360.

Asofa-Solomona on the other hand has been a curious case for the Storm in recent years, with constant rumours surrounding his future and attitude swirling until he was finally shown the door and will now likely link up with Parramatta for next season.

Those two departures will free up plenty of salary cap space for the Storm and it’s also expected that Katoa’s injury during the international period will see them granted an exemption from the salary cap and the potential to sign a replacement immediately for 2026.

Bringing in fresh talent quickly might be difficult – but that’s not all bad news, with some ready-made replacements waiting in the wings to fill all three voids.

Sua Fa’alogo will get first crack in the No.1 jumper and even before Papenhuyzen’s exit, there were plenty calling for the fleet-footed whiz kid to earn a spot in the Storm side.

Sua Faalogo. Getty

He will add some youthful exuberance and genuine game-breaking X-factor to the Melbourne spine, which also features some of the best players in the game in Cameron Munster, Jahrome Hughes and Harry Grant in the other three roles.

In the back-row, all eyes will now turn to Ativalu Lisati after his breakout 2025 campaign and recent selection in the Toa Samoa squad.

Lisati is a powerful ball-runner who looms as the obvious internal replacement for Katoa, with Shawn Blore the other man to start on the edge and Joe Chan also in the mix.

The middle of the field isn’t too much of an issue for Melbourne and the departed Asofa-Solomona was barely sighted this year anyway due to suspension and form issues.

However, the mid-season acquisition of Josiah Pahulu now looks like a masterstroke and he is expected to force his way into the 17 next year in the front-row rotation.

Pahulu was a highly-touted prospect at the Titans and now looms as a key part of Bellamy’s line-up.

Josiah Pahulu Getty

Melbourne will no doubt go to market to try and attract some quality talent for the 2027 season, with former star Tino Fa’asuamaleaui at the top of the list.

And while concerns over their premiership credentials next year might be justified given the turnover of quality personnel, it would be wise not to write off a Bellamy-coached outfit with as many quality players – both experienced and young – at their disposal.

Melbourne Storm potential 2026 team

1. Sua Fa’alogo 2. Xavier Coates 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Will Warbrick 6. Cam Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Ativalu Lisati 12. Shawn Blore 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Lazarus Vaalepu 17. Josiah Pahulu

Melbourne Storm 2026 squad

Alec MacDonald, Cameron Munster, Eliesa Katoa, Harry Grant, Jack Howarth, Jahrome Hughes, Joe Chan, Josh King, Josiah Pahulu, Lazarus Vaalepu, Moses Leo, Nick Meaney, Shawn Blore, Sua Fa’alogo, Stefano Utoikamanu, Trent Loiero, Tyran Wishart, William Warbrick, Xavier Coates