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Melbourne Storm forward Eli Katoa has been officially ruled out the complete 2026 rugby league season as he continues his recovery at home in Victoria, following coming back from a extended period in New Zealand after undergoing brain surgery.

What Happened

The 25-year-old athlete sustained three head impacts in a single afternoon while playing for Tonga in a Pacific Championship fixture against the Kiwis. Subsequently, he experienced convulsions while on the sideline, necessitating emergency medical attention.

A surgical procedure to address bleeding on the brain left Katoa in the hospital and temporarily grounded back to Melbourne.

The team revealed this week 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 number one priority,” said the club's chief executive 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 player is improving each day and is eager to pursuing his recovery in a home environment.

However, the CEO confirmed that there is no set timeline for his return to health or a comeback to the field.

“In consultation with our doctor and neurology experts, Katoa will not return to practice during the preseason and is ruled out for the upcoming season,” he emphasized. “There is a lengthy recovery process in his recovery, and his primary goal will be on achieving complete wellness before considering a potential comeback 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 rally around him and support him through his rehabilitation period.

Broader Context

The NRL is wrapping up its inquiry into the circumstances that resulted in 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 head injury during the pregame routine for the international contest.

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

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

The league has sought to tackle concerns around concussions in the game in recent years, introducing stricter enforcement on dangerous contact and lengthening the post-concussion stand down period for affected players.