The Storm hasn\u2019t ruled out Eli Katoa one day returning to rugby league as the \u201cdevastated\u201d back-rower continues to recover from the brain injury that has ruled him out of the 2026 season.<\/p>\n
The club revealed on Tuesday that Katoa had returned to Melbourne but would not be available to play next year after he suffered three head knocks in the space of 90 minutes while playing for Tonga against New Zealand earlier this month. <\/p>\n
The Dally M Second Rower of the Year suffered a sickening collision with teammate Lehi Hopoate in the warm-up, but Tongan medical staff insist they didn\u2019t see the footage that went to air.<\/p>\n
Katoa suffered another head knock early in the game that forced him off for a head injury assessment, which he passed, before another collision in the second half ruled him out of the contest.<\/p>\n
The edge forward suffered \u201cseizure activity\u201d on the bench and required an oxygen mask before he was taken to hospital for surgery to ease pressure on his brain.<\/p>\n
Melbourne\u2019s club doctor and football director Frank Ponissi flew to Auckland to assist Katoa\u2019s travels back home where he\u2019s now in the hands of specialists. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s struggling to process it all, obviously,\u201d Storm chief executive Justin Rodski said on SEN. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s an athlete, he\u2019s a competitor, he\u2019s a young man at the peak of his powers, and he\u2019s now facing at a minimum a year on the sidelines.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs you can imagine, he\u2019s struggling to deal with that part of this.<\/p>\n
\u201cHis passion and love is rugby league, and for that to be taken away from him is pretty devastating for him.\u201d<\/p>\n
While Katoa won\u2019t play next year, Rodski has refused to rule out a potential return down the track.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe certainly hope (he\u2019ll be back),\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s one of those things where we\u2019re in the doctor\u2019s hands and the medical experts will guide us on what he can and can\u2019t do.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s got a series of tests and series of assessments and rehabilitation plan that\u2019ll be put in place that will have milestones in it that he\u2019ll need to tick off over the course of the coming weeks and months.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf he continues to do that and continues to improve \u2013 and if ultimately he\u2019s cleared by medical experts and doctors to return to training and then playing \u2013 we\u2019ll be supportive of that.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is in the hands of the doctors and the medical experts, as it should be.\u201d <\/p>\n
The Storm has also left the door open for a possible return next year, although the club won\u2019t rush anything that could jeopardise Katoa\u2019s health.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will never say never to any scenario, but at the same time, this is a moment when we really don\u2019t want to put any pressure or expectation on him or his recovery,\u201d Rodski said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe just want to make sure that he gets fit and healthy and that\u2019s the first priority for us and his welfare, not just in the immediate term but for the rest of his life.\u201d<\/p>\n
The club will work with the NRL on the logistics of freeing up a roster spot and salary cap relief for next year as they also contend with the loss of stars Ryan Papenhuyzen, Nelson Asofa-Solomona and Jonah Pezet.<\/p>\n
But their main focus right now is on Katoa and the NRL findings from its investigation into how he was allowed to take the field. <\/p>\n
\u201cI haven\u2019t (been given access to the findings) but I\u2019ve been in contact with (NRL chief executive) Andrew Abdo about it, and I expect the club will be involved in some form of briefing around what\u2019s in the report over the next week or so,\u201d Rodski said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m just waiting on the NRL to let us know when that\u2019ll be.\u201d<\/p>\n