🔗 Share this article

Melbourne Storm backrower Eli Katoa has been officially ruled out the entire 2026 NRL season as he focuses on rehabilitation at home in his home state, after coming back from a extended period in New Zealand after undergoing brain surgery.

Sequence of Events

The 25-year-old suffered three separate head injuries during a single match while playing for the Tongan national team in a international fixture versus the Kiwis. Subsequently, he experienced convulsions while off the field, requiring emergency medical attention.

A surgical procedure to relieve a brain bleed left the player hospitalized and temporarily grounded to his club base.

The club announced this week that Katoa has now come back and is on the mend, having also made a brief visit to a Melbourne hospital.

“Eli’s health and wellbeing remain our number one priority,” said the club's chief executive a team official. “It is great to have him home safely and under the care of our club doctor and specialist physicians.”

Recovery and Rehabilitation

Rodski noted that the player is making daily progress and is eager to continuing his rehabilitation from home.

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

“After discussions with our medical team and neurology experts, Katoa will not return to training this pre-season and is ruled out for the 2026 season,” Rodski declared. “He has a lengthy recovery process ahead of him, and his focus will be on achieving complete wellness prior to contemplating any form of return to training.”

Rodski concluded by noting that Katoa is a highly valued and respected member of our team and organization, and that the entire club will support him fully and assist him during his rehabilitation period.

League Investigation

The National Rugby League is wrapping up its inquiry into the events that led to Katoa’s surgery.

The talented player, who was selected for 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 more head impacts before being substituted in the second half.

His state worsened rapidly, and he needed medical oxygen beside the field before being taken off on a medicab.

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