🔗 Share this article

Melbourne Storm backrower Eli Katoa will miss the entire 2026 NRL season as he focuses on rehabilitation at home in Victoria, following returning from a extended period in New Zealand after undergoing a neurosurgical procedure.

What Happened

The 25-year-old athlete suffered three head impacts in a single match while playing for Tonga in a Pacific Championship fixture against the Kiwis. This led to seizures while off the field, requiring emergency medical attention.

A medical operation to relieve a brain bleed resulted in Katoa hospitalized and temporarily grounded back to Melbourne.

The club revealed this week that the forward has now come back and is on the mend, having also made a brief visit to a local medical facility.

“His health and recovery are our top concern,” said Storm CEO a team official. “It is great to have him back home and under the supervision of our club doctor and specialist physicians.”

Recovery and Rehabilitation

Rodski added that the athlete is making daily progress and is looking forward to continuing his rehabilitation in a home environment.

Importantly, the executive confirmed that there is no timeframe for his return to health or a potential return to training.

“In consultation with our doctor and neuro specialists, Eli will not return to practice during the preseason and is ruled out for the upcoming season,” he emphasized. “There is a lengthy recovery process ahead of him, and his primary goal will be on achieving complete wellness before considering any form of return to training.”

Rodski finished by noting that Katoa is a highly valued and respected member of our team and organization, and that the Storm family will support him fully and assist him during his recovery.

Broader Context

The National Rugby League is currently finalizing its inquiry into the circumstances that resulted in Katoa’s surgery.

The talented player, who was selected for the competition’s team of the year at the recent Dally M awards, seemed to sustain a concussion during the pregame routine for the international contest.

Despite this, Katoa was cleared to participate in the game and endured two additional blows to the head before coming off in the later stages.

Katoa’s condition deteriorated quickly, and he needed medical oxygen beside the field before being removed from the field on a medicab.

The league has sought to tackle issues around head injuries in the sport in recent years, introducing stricter enforcement on dangerous contact and expanding the post-concussion stand down period for injured athletes.