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Melbourne Storm forward Eli Katoa has been officially ruled out the entire 2026 NRL season as he continues his recovery at home in Victoria, after returning from a prolonged stay in New Zealand where he underwent brain surgery.

What Happened

The 25-year-old athlete suffered three separate head injuries in a single afternoon while representing Tonga in a international match versus the Kiwis. Subsequently, he experienced seizures while on the sideline, requiring emergency medical attention.

A surgical procedure to address a brain bleed resulted in the player in the hospital and temporarily grounded to his club base.

The club announced this week that Katoa has finally returned home and is recovering, having also been briefly admitted to a local medical facility.

“His health and recovery remain our number one priority,” said Storm CEO a team official. “We are thrilled to have him home safely and under the care of our club doctor and local specialists.”

Recovery and Rehabilitation

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

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

“After discussions with our medical team and neurology experts, Eli will not return to training during the preseason and won’t be available for the upcoming season,” Rodski declared. “He has a lengthy recovery process in his recovery, and his primary goal will be on achieving complete wellness prior to contemplating a potential comeback to rugby league activities.”

Rodski concluded by noting that Katoa is a much loved and respected member of our team and organization, and that the Storm family will support him fully and assist him during his rehabilitation period.

Broader Context

The NRL is wrapping up its investigation into the events that led to Katoa’s surgery.

The talented player, who was named in the competition’s team of the year at the recent Dally M awards, seemed to sustain a concussion during the pregame routine for the Pacific Championship match.

Despite this, he was cleared to participate in the match and suffered two more head impacts before coming off in the second half.

His state deteriorated quickly, and he needed medical oxygen beside the field before being removed from the field on a medicab.

The league has attempted to address concerns around head injuries in the game in recent seasons, introducing crackdowns on dangerous contact and lengthening the post-concussion stand down period for affected players.