🔗 Share this article

Melbourne Storm forward Eli Katoa has been officially ruled out the entire 2026 rugby league season as he focuses on rehabilitation at home in his home state, after returning from a extended period in Auckland after undergoing a neurosurgical procedure.

Sequence of Events

The 25-year-old sustained three head impacts during a single afternoon while playing for Tonga in a Pacific Championship match against the Kiwis. This led to seizures while off the field, requiring urgent medical care.

A surgical procedure to address a brain bleed resulted in the player hospitalized and initially unable to travel to his club base.

The team revealed recently that Katoa has finally returned home and is on the mend, 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. “It is great to have him back home and under the care of our club doctor and local specialists.”

Recovery and Rehabilitation

Rodski added that the athlete is improving each day and is looking forward to continuing his rehabilitation from home.

Importantly, the CEO stated that there is no set timeline for Katoa’s recovery or a comeback to the field.

“In consultation with our medical team and neurology experts, Eli will not return to practice this pre-season and won’t be available for the 2026 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 rugby league activities.”

Rodski concluded by saying that Katoa is a highly valued and respected member of our team and organization, and that the Storm family will rally around him and support him through his recovery.

League Investigation

The National Rugby League is wrapping up its investigation into the events that resulted in the required neurosurgery.

The powerful forward, who was named in the league's best lineup at the recent Dally M awards, appeared to suffer a concussion during the warm-up for the Pacific Championship match.

However, he was cleared to participate in the game and endured two additional blows to the head before being substituted in the later stages.

Katoa’s condition deteriorated quickly, and he needed medical oxygen on the sideline before being taken off on a stretcher.

The league has attempted to address issues around head injuries in the sport in recent seasons, introducing crackdowns on dangerous contact and lengthening the mandatory recovery time for affected players.