🔗 Share this article

Melbourne Storm backrower Eli Katoa will miss the complete 2026 rugby league season as he focuses on rehabilitation at home in his home state, after coming back from a extended period in Auckland where he underwent a neurosurgical procedure.

Sequence of Events

The 25-year-old suffered three head impacts in a single match while representing the Tongan national team in a international match against New Zealand. Subsequently, he experienced seizures while on the sideline, necessitating urgent medical care.

A medical operation to relieve bleeding on the brain resulted in the player hospitalized and temporarily grounded to his club base.

The club announced this week that Katoa has now come back and is recovering, having also been briefly admitted to a local medical facility.

“His health and recovery are our top concern,” said the club's chief executive a team official. “We are thrilled to have him home safely and under the care of our club doctor and local specialists.”

The Road to Recovery

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

Importantly, the CEO confirmed that there is no timeframe for Katoa’s recovery or a potential return to training.

“After discussions with our medical team and neuro specialists, Eli will not return to practice this pre-season and won’t be available for the upcoming season,” Rodski declared. “He has a long road ahead in his recovery, and his focus will be on returning to full health before considering a potential comeback to training.”

Rodski finished by noting that Eli is a much loved and respected part of the squad and organization, and that the Storm family will support him fully and support him through his rehabilitation period.

Broader Context

The NRL is wrapping up its inquiry into the circumstances that resulted in the required neurosurgery.

The powerful forward, who was named in the league's best lineup at the recent Dally M awards, seemed to sustain a head injury during the pregame routine for the international contest.

Despite this, he was allowed to play in the match and suffered two additional blows to the head before coming off in the second half.

Katoa’s condition worsened rapidly, and he needed medical oxygen on the sideline before being removed from the field on a stretcher.

The NRL has attempted to address issues around concussions in the sport in recent seasons, introducing crackdowns on high tackles and expanding the post-concussion stand down period for injured athletes.