Melbourne Storm have issued a sad health update on seriously injured star Eli Katoa, revealing he will not play in the 2026 season and there is still no timeframe on his recovery.

The club revealed on Tuesday that Katoa had returned safely to Melbourne — after having brain surgery in New Zealand — but said he still had a “long road ahead”.

Katoa suffered three head knocks in the space of 90 minutes while playing for Tonga against New Zealand in the Pacific Cup at the start of this month.

The 25-year-old required oxygen after he suffered seizure activity on the sidelines and was rushed to hospital where he underwent surgery due to bleeding of the brain.

After arriving in Melbourne, Katoa had been under the care of specialists, but he has since been released from hospital and will n

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