Eliesa Katoa has revealed his heartache at being unable to fly his mother from Tonga to watch him in the NRL grand final as the Melbourne edge forward looks to claim his first premiership.

Katoa said visa processing times and logistical challenges of getting his mother Akanesi to Sydney in time for Sunday’s clash with Brisbane had proved too hard a task.

The 25-year-old hails from a village called Koulo on the island of Lifuka, 200km away from the Pacific nation’s capital of Nuku’alofa.

Katoa has previously credited his mother as being his biggest influence after the death of his father when he was just 12.

“Unfortunately mum can’t make it, but I do have a few family members coming from New Zealand and a cousin who’s coming from America,” he told AAP.

“I’m very grateful they’ll be t

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