🔗 Share this article

Melbourne Storm backrower Eli Katoa will miss the complete 2026 rugby league season as he focuses on rehabilitation at home in Victoria, following returning from a prolonged stay in Auckland after undergoing brain surgery.

Sequence of Events

The 25-year-old suffered three head impacts in a single afternoon while representing the Tongan national team in a Pacific Championship fixture against the Kiwis. Subsequently, he experienced convulsions while off the field, necessitating urgent medical care.

A medical operation to relieve bleeding on the brain left Katoa hospitalized and temporarily grounded to his club base.

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

“Eli’s health and wellbeing are our number one priority,” stated the club's chief executive a team official. “It is great to have him back home and under the care of our medical staff and local specialists.”

The Road to Recovery

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

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

“After discussions with our medical team and neurology experts, Eli won't be back to practice this pre-season and is ruled out for the upcoming season,” he emphasized. “There is a long road ahead ahead of him, and his focus will be on achieving complete wellness prior to contemplating a potential comeback to training.”

Rodski finished by noting that Katoa is a highly valued and respected member of our team and club, and that the entire club will rally around him and support him through his rehabilitation period.

Broader Context

The NRL is currently finalizing its inquiry into the events that resulted in the required neurosurgery.

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 warm-up for the international contest.

However, he was allowed to play in the match and endured two more head impacts before being substituted in the later stages.

Katoa’s condition worsened rapidly, and he required oxygen on the sideline before being taken off on a stretcher.

The NRL has attempted to address concerns around head injuries in the sport in recent years, introducing crackdowns on dangerous contact and expanding the mandatory recovery time for affected players.