Eli Katoa ruled out of 2026 NRL season after brain injury

19/11/2025 3 min
Eli Katoa ruled out of 2026 NRL season after brain injury

Listen "Eli Katoa ruled out of 2026 NRL season after brain injury"

Episode Synopsis


Melbourne Storm star Eliesa Katoa will miss the 2026 NRL season as he continues his recovery from brain surgery. The 25 year-old copped multiple head knocks while on test duty with Tonga during the Pacific Championships earlier this month. He suffered seizure activity on the sideline and was taken to hospital, where he had surgery on a brain bleed. After a two-week hospital stay in Auckland, the Storm has confirmed Katoa is now back home in Melbourne and under the care of the club's medical team. Sports correspondent Dana Johannsen spoke to Lisa Owen.