Act of squad: Storm predicted team and 2026 overview

As Melbourne Storm approach their 29th season in the NRL, the club wants to be known as one that produces home grown heroes and that is likely to start with Sua Fa’alogo.

Identified as a future star by Storm officials for some time, Fa'alogo finally gets the chance to make the No.1 jersey his own following the shock departure of Ryan Papenhuyzen after last year's grand final.

The Storm have been the most consistent team of the past two decades - missing the finals just once (2010) and featuring in 11 grand finals since 2006 - yet they have produced just five juniors who have played NRL for the club.

Mahe Fonua, Richie Kennar, Young Tonumaipea and Dean Ieremia were the others, but the belief is that Su'a can be a poster boy for more Victorian talent to follow suit.

The 22-year-old has big shoes to fill but he will be supported by 2025 IRL Golden Boot winner Harry Grant, 2024 Dally M winner Jahrome Hughes and Queensland captain Cameron Munster in arguably the NRL's best spine.

The Storm have also lost Kiwis prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona, who missed the 2024 and 2025 grand finals through suspension, and emerging playmaker Jonah Pezet, who has joined the Eels for a season before heading to Brisbane.

However, the player who will be hardest to replace is Tongan strike secondrower Eliesa Katoa, who is set to sit out the season as he recovers from a concussion-related injury.

Rookie Samoan forward Ativalu Lisati is the man earmarked for the role after playing in the grand final loss to Brisbane, while the Storm have thrown a lifeline to Jack Hetherington after stints at the Panthers, Warriors, Bulldogs and Knights.   

Cook Islands prop Davvy Moale (Rabbitohs) and rookie playmakers Trent Toelau (Panthers) and Manaia Waitere (Raiders) are the other new faces in Melbourne.

However, Storm coach Craig Bellamy hasn't finalised his roster yet, as evidenced by the club's pursuit of Zac Lomax.

Melbourne open their premiership campaign at home against the Eels on March 8 before travelling to Wollongong to face the Dragons on March 14 ahead of a grand final re-match against the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium on March 20.

Bellamy will use the Pre-season Challenge matches against the Raiders at Seiffert Oval on February 13 and Titans at Sunshine Coast Stadium on February 21 to finalise his line-up for Round 1. 

• Casualty ward: All the latest injury news
• Comings and Goings: 2026 Signings Tracker
• Witzer Pre-Season Challenge Draw

Best 17

1. Sua Fa’alogo
2. Will Warbrick
3. Jack Howarth
4. Nick Meaney
5. Xavier Coates
6. Cameron Munster
7. Jahrome Hughes
8. Stefano Utoikamanu
9. Harry Grant
10. Josh King
11. Shawn Blore
12. Ativalu Lisati
13. Trent Loiero
14. Tyran Wishart
15. Jack Hetherington
16. Davvy Moale
17. Tui Kamikamica