LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
In a move reminiscent of a seasoned chess player calculating their next move, suspended Storm prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona has managed to find a loophole that will see him speeding back onto the field for the 2025 NRL season.
Despite being handed a five-week ban that kept him out of the 2024 grand final, the prop will only have to sit out Melbourne's season opener.
Asofa-Solomona's ban came after a thunderous collision with Roosters player Lindsay Collins in the preliminary final, resulting in a grade three dangerous high tackle.
The Storm enforcer attempted to wriggle out of the ban by contesting it at the judiciary, hoping to downgrade the charge and be able to play in the big dance.
However, his efforts were in vain, as he not only failed to reduce the ban but also tacked on an additional week.
This savvy move by Asofa-Solomona has left many in the rugby league world scratching their heads, wondering how he managed to outsmart the system.
It's a classic tale of a player using their wits and cunning to overcome adversity and bounce back stronger than ever.
With this strategic maneuver, the Storm prop has shown that he is a force to be reckoned with on and off the field.