NRL 2025: Eli Katoa Joins Melbourne Storm Leadership Group Alongside Harry Grant…
In a major sign of his rising influence, Eli Katoa has been named in the Melbourne Storm’s leadership group for the 2025 NRL season. The powerful second-rower joins club captain Harry Grant and vice-captains Jahrome Hughes and Christian Welch in a refreshed leadership team aiming to guide the Storm back to premiership glory.
Katoa, who has impressed since his arrival from the Warriors in 2023, is seen as a natural leader among the younger cohort. Head coach Craig Bellamy praised Katoa’s work ethic, maturity, and growing voice in the locker room: “Eli leads by example every day – on the field and off it. He’s earned the respect of his teammates.”
The Storm are reloading after falling short in the 2024 finals, and the inclusion of Katoa signals a focus on developing their next generation of leaders. With the steady presence of Grant and the firepower of their spine, Melbourne remains a top-four contender, but much will depend on how this leadership group gels in big moments.
