The Melbourne Storm have been handed a significant boost ahead of the 2025 NRL season, with the league confirming that enforcer Nelson Asofa-Solomona will be allowed to serve three matches of his five-match suspension during the upcoming Pacific Championships.
Asofa-Solomona, who missed the Storm’s NRL Grand Final appearance after unsuccessfully appealing a high tackle charge on Lindsay Collins, was initially slapped with a four-game ban, which was later extended to five following his failed appeal. The incident occurred in the opening tackle of Melbourne’s preliminary final win over the Roosters and resulted in a grade-three charge from the match review committee. Many believed the decision was overly harsh, particularly with Asofa-Solomona’s previous record and the potential for the incident to have been graded at a lesser charge.
Despite the controversy surrounding the penalty, including support from players like Sydney Roosters hardman Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, who urged the NRL to show leniency, Asofa-Solomona was ultimately sidelined for the Storm’s grand final campaign. However, the latest ruling means that the powerful forward will serve part of his suspension during the Pacific Championships, where he would have been part of New Zealand’s squad had he not been banned.
The ruling allows Asofa-Solomona to return to NRL action in round 2 of the 2025 season, significantly reducing his absence from the Storm’s crucial season opener in Las Vegas. His early return is expected to strengthen Melbourne’s forward pack, alongside new recruit Stefano Utoikamanu, and form what could be a formidable partnership in the middle.
This decision has been seen as a fair compromise, allowing the Storm to have their star enforcer back sooner while respecting the NRL’s disciplinary measures.
