Melbourne’s post-grand final shake-up has begun, with the Storm confirming the immediate release of Nelson Asofa-Solomona from the final two years of his contract.
The towering forward was one of the club’s highest-paid players, but will now move on in search of new opportunities and fresh challenges.
It is a stunning development after Asofa-Solomona seemingly fell out of favour with the club and coach Craig Bellamy over the past couple of seasons.
The Storm gave the forward permission to negotiate with other clubs earlier in the year, with an approach to New Zealand to take Asofa-Solomona home reportedly declined by the Warriors.
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Despite his achievements, recent seasons have been hampered by injury and suspension, including missing this year’s grand final defeat to Brisbane.
That absence was the second time in consecutive years he has missed the biggest game of the season through suspension, adding to the club’s frustration.
On a reported contract worth upwards of $850k a season across the next two years, the agreed release now frees up invaluable salary cap space for the Storm.
With stars like Ryan Papenhuyzen and Cameron Munster entering the final years of their contracts, along with important younger talent like Jonah Pezet who has been heavily courted in recent weeks, many believed the Storm would not be able to retain their squad.
Asofa-Solomona leaving now firmly puts the Storm in the box seat to try to do just that and push their premiership window open a little further whilst doing it.
Asofa-Solomona has been a fixture in Melbourne since joining as a teenager in 2011, going on to play over 200 games in the purple jersey.
He was a key part of premiership wins in 2017 and 2020, and last year was honoured with Storm life membership and despite some recent struggles has been a well-loved cult figure in Melbourne.
Asofa-Solomona said he was grateful for his decade-long stint in Melbourne and the chance to play alongside some of the game’s greats and spoke glowingly about his time in Melbourne since 2011 coming through as a junior.
“With over 10 years now at the top-level and given all I have achieved with the club, I have chosen to step away and consider other opportunities and new challenges," Asofa-Solomona explained.
“I’ve loved my time in Melbourne. I’m very thankful to all the players, coaches, and staff that I had the privilege to work alongside during my time at such a prestigious club," Asofa-Solomona further went on to state.
Despite the Storm giving the hulking prop permission to leave earlier in the year, they also spoke fondly of Asofa-Solomona's contribution with Storm Chairman Matt Tripp paying tribute and thanking Asofa-Solomona for his service and contribution to the club.
The 28-year-old is expected to line up for New Zealand in the upcoming Pacific Championships, where his form will again draw interest from NRL rivals, especially now his contract is not as expensive to take on.
There is also the possibility of a switch to rugby union, with both Japanese clubs and the rebel R360 competition keeping a close eye on his next move and likely able to offer more than NRL clubs are willing to.
The departure marks the first big move in what is shaping as a busy off-season for the powerhouse club who, after achieving so much success, are now staring at back-to-back grand final losses and a plethora of players about to test the open market.
Fans will no doubt miss 'Big Nelson', but they’ll also be relieved if his departure keeps the rest of the Storm core in purple longer term now.