LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
The Melbourne Storm have signaled their willingness to welcome back Tino Fa'asuamaleaui at the beginning of 2027. This announcement comes amidst a tumultuous time in the Victorian capital, resulting in an increased salary cap for the club.
Recently, the Storm made several significant roster changes. They released New Zealand international forward Nelson Asofa-Solomona and halfback Jonah Pezet, who exercised a clause in his contract to depart the club. Additionally, on Thursday, the Storm confirmed that Ryan Papenhuyzen would be let go from the final year of his contract.
The immediate priority for the Storm is addressing the fact that they currently have ten vacancies in their Top 30 roster for 2026. It's expected that players Lazarus Vaalepu, Ativalu Lisati, and Marion Seve will re-sign, filling three of those positions. However, the recruitment staff faces a significant task in bolstering the squad further.
Looking ahead, November 1 is approaching, marking the date when clubs can begin negotiations with players whose contracts expire at the end of 2026. Among these players is Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, the Gold Coast Titans captain and former Melbourne Storm pathways product.