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The Storm forward Eli Katoa will miss the complete 2026 rugby league season as he focuses on rehabilitation at home in Victoria, after returning from a extended period in Auckland where he underwent brain surgery.

Sequence of Events

The 25-year-old athlete sustained three head impacts during a single match while playing for the Tongan national team in a Pacific Championship match versus the Kiwis. This led to seizures while on the sideline, requiring emergency medical attention.

A surgical procedure to address bleeding on the brain left the player hospitalized and temporarily grounded back to Melbourne.

The club revealed this week that Katoa has finally returned home and is recovering, having also made a brief visit to a Melbourne hospital.

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

The Road to Recovery

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

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

“After discussions with our medical team and neuro specialists, Eli won't be back to training during the preseason and won’t be available for the upcoming season,” Rodski declared. “He has a long road ahead in his recovery, and his primary goal will be on achieving complete wellness before considering a potential comeback to rugby league activities.”

Rodski finished by noting that Eli is a highly valued and respected member of our team and organization, and that the entire club will rally around him and assist him during his rehabilitation period.

Broader Context

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

The talented player, who was named in 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.

Despite this, Katoa was allowed to play in the match and endured two more head impacts before being substituted in the second half.

Katoa’s condition worsened rapidly, and he required oxygen on the sideline before being removed from the field on a medicab.

The NRL has attempted to address concerns around head injuries in the game in recent years, introducing stricter enforcement on high tackles and lengthening the post-concussion stand down period for injured athletes.