Storm’s Katoa ‘struggling to process’ brain injury
Jasper Bruce |
Eli Katoa is “struggling to process” the “devastating” news that he will miss at least Melbourne’s 2026 NRL season with the brain injury that has thrown his career into doubt.
That is according to Storm chief executive Justin Rodski, who has not yet determined whether the club will take legal action after their star second-rower suffered three head knocks in 90 minutes while on representative duty.
Katoa required oxygen after experiencing seizure activity on the sidelines of Tonga’s clash with New Zealand on November 2 and later underwent surgery on a brain bleed.
After more than two weeks in an Auckland hospital, he was discharged and cleared to return home to Melbourne, where he has consulted with more medical professionals.
“He’s got a long road ahead but pleasingly, he’s in a stable condition and improving every day,” Rodski said on SEN.
On Tuesday, the Storm confirmed their most important forward would not play in their 2026 season and is no certainty to return after that.
“He’s struggling to process it all, obviously,” Rodski said.
“He’s an athlete, he’s a competitor, he is a young man at the peak of his powers, and he’s now facing at a minimum a year on the sidelines.
“As you can imagine, he’s struggling to deal with that part of this.
“His passion and love is rugby league, and, for that to be taken away from him, is pretty devastating for him.”
Katoa suffered a head knock in a tackle from teammate Lehi Hopoate during the warm-up but was deemed not to require an off-field head injury assessment (HIA) by Tonga medical staff.
He suffered a second head knock during the game but was ruled fit to return, before a third head knock sidelined him for the remainder of the 40-14 loss.
As of Wednesday morning, the NRL had not yet released its findings into the incident, either publicly or to Melbourne, who will not consider their legal options until then.
“It’s way too early to even consider that, to be honest,” Rodski said.
“Until all the information is in front of us, I don’t think it’s fair on anyone to start speculating on that other than to say we’ll await the findings of the NRL’s investigation.”
The Storm expect to be granted salary cap relief and could be afforded an extra roster spot to compensate for Katoa’s absence.
That will add to a substantial amount of money cleared from their cap for next season, following the early exits of Ryan Papenhuyzen, Nelson Asofa-Solomona and Jonah Pezet.
But replacing a two-time reigning Dally M second-rower of the year in Katoa wou’t be simple given rival clubs are already beginning pre-season.
“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.
“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.”
AAP
