The Melbourne Storm have been buoyed by the re-signing of skipper Harry Grant on a new two-year deal, amid a tumultuous off-season for the NRL club. The Storm have lost Ryan Papenhuyzen, Nelson Asofa-Solomona and Jonah Pezet, with Pezet joining Parramatta for 2026 and Papenhuyzen and Asofa-Solomona’s futures unclear.
On top of all that, Eli Katoa won’t play at all in 2026 as he recovers from a brain bleed he suffered playing in the Pacific Championships for Tonga. But Storm fans got some great news on Thursday when the club confirmed Grant had re-signed until the end of 2028.
Harry Grant (centre) has extended with the Melbourne Storm until the end of 2028. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
“It’s a great feeling to have my future confirmed until 2028,” Grant said in a statement. “I feel incredibly privileged to captain this club and wear the purple jersey in front of our members and fans every week. We have a great group of players, coaches and staff and a strong leadership team determined to push our club to bigger things in 2026.”
Storm boss Justin Rodski said: “Harry is not only one of the best players in the NRL, but also an outstanding leader and a tremendous ambassador for Melbourne Storm. To have Harry commit to the Club until 2028 is a massive boost, not just for our playing group, but for our entire organisation and our passionate members and fans.
“His determination to keep improving, be a role model for our younger players, and lead Storm toward sustained success makes him the ideal person to drive our club forward.”
Ryan Papenhuyzen (far left) and Nelson Asofa-Solomona (far right) have departed the Storm. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Melbourne Storm have around $2 million to play with
The departures of Pezet, Papenhuyzen and Asofa-Solomona – as well as the loss of Katoa for the entire year – means the Storm will have around $2 million to spend on the open market. Pezet, Papenhuyzen and Asofa-Solomona all forfeited money when they got out of their contracts, while the NRL is expected to cover a large chunk of Katoa’s salary because he was injured in rep footy.
But as Rodski pointed out on Wednesday, there are very few free agents for 2026 as clubs have usually filled up their rosters by now. “It’s very late in the piece (for 2026), so with Paul Bunn and our recruitment team we’re obviously now looking at all options,” Rodski said on SEN radio.
“We’ve got a few players in our current squad that we think can come in and do a job, but at the same time, clearly there’s going to be an opportunity for us to go to the market. (But) he’s not really replaceable, to be honest, he’s been such a power force for us, such a great combination with (halfback) Jahrome Hughes on that edge. We’re going to miss him.”
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With Grant now re-signed, the Storm are looking for an early than usual answer from coach Craig Bellamy. The veteran coach has usually waited until mid-season to decide whether he wants to go around again, but Rodski is keen to get a definitive answer from Bellamy about 2027 before next season starts.
It also emerged on Thursday that Cameron Munster has become the latest target of R360. The State of Origin and Kangaroos star was recently linked to the Perth Bears, but stated he’ll see out his contract with the Storm until the end of 2027.