For eleven NRL seasons, Nelson Asofa-Solomona has stood as the undisputed colossus at the heart of the all-conquering Melbourne Storm forward pack.
But it seems the baton has well and truly been passed in 2025, as explosive second rower Eliesa Katoa continues his career best season under the tutelage of Craig Bellamy.
Whilst slightly smaller than the human behemoth that is Asofa-Solomona, the 193cm 110kg Katoa continues to cut a swathe through NRL opponents in 2025—most recently with a barnstorming try double in the Storm’s 32-14 away win against the Newcastle Knights.
“What a player he’s turned into, one of the best back rowers in the competition,” Greg Alexander raved in commentary for Fox Sports after 25-year-old Katoa crossed for his second try in the 75th minute.
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“I think we all thought when the Melbourne Storm signed him from the Warriors, it was going to turn out a very good signing and it certainly has,” Alexander continued.
“He’s a man mountain—he’s big, he’s quick, he’s a tackle breaker, he’s an off loader, what a player he’s turned into!”
‘The season he’s having for us is quite unbelievable’
Storm coach Craig Bellamy was equally as enamoured with the performance, speaking glowingly of Katoa after the match.
“He never ceases to amaze me, some of the stuff he comes up with,” Bellamy said.
“He’s made a bit of a name for himself competing on high kicks and scoring tries, but he found a couple of other ways to score tries today.
“The season he’s having for us is quite unbelievable, we were lucky enough to pick him up—he hasn’t just been consistent, he’s been brilliantly consistent and was probably the one who changed the game today, hopefully he can keep it up.”
In 77 explosive minutes against the Knights, Katoa scored two tries, had 13 hit-ups for 183 run metres with three tackle busts, while also leading his side’s tackle count.
The five-time Tongan international initially played rugby union in New Zealand before being signed by the Warriors where he made 46 NRL appearances between 2020-22, before being released at the end of the 2022 season.
Katoa has played 62 games for the Storm.