Off-contract Storm star Nick Meaney hasn’t ruled out departing Melbourne at the end of 2026.
Speaking from pre-season training the 159-game NRL veteran revealed he still isn’t sure where his playing future will be—admitting his management has had talks with the Perth Bears along with ‘plenty of conversations’ with Melbourne.
“We’re still going through the process at the moment (working out) what’s best for my future and my family,” Meaney said.
“Hopefully in the near future we’ll have something set in stone—whether that’s here, there (Perth) or somewhere else I’m not sure yet.
“I’m always open to anything, but I’ve loved my time at the Storm.”
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Heading into his fifth year with the Storm, the 28-year-old from Lismore has become one of the NRL’s most consistent, durable and versatile outside backs featuring in 22 games or more in all four seasons with Melbourne.
‘ Sua Fa'alogo is a very talented player’
While he’s spent plenty of time covering at fullback for Craig Bellamy, Meaney says he’s very happy to let exciting 22-year-old Sua Fa'alogo have first shot at the vacant Storm number one jersey in 2026 following the off-season departure of Ryan Papenhuyzen.
“Sua is a very handy football player and I think it’s good that he’ll get first crack at fullback and I can keep doing my stuff at centre,” he said, while suggesting he’d also be ‘pretty confident’ of stepping if required.
“I was just talking to him (Sua) yesterday about playing fullback and he’s really keen, he had a bit of time there while Paps was out but then he suffered a few injuries himself,” Meaney said.
“He’s been on a bit of a rollercoaster, but he’s a very talented player—it’s up to us to help him get to that next level.”
‘It can take its toll’ says Meaney on Papenhuyzen
On the subject of Papenhuyzen’s off-season departure Meaney admitted to a level of surprise, but fully backed his former teammate’s decision.
“Yeah (I was a bit surprised), probably that he actually did pull the trigger, but chatting to him it was probably best for him to step away for a bit,” he said.
“We all know he (Papenhuyzen) has been through a lot in his career with injuries, pressure from the media and outside noise—it can take its toll and I think he was in a good position with other things off the field to keep him motivated and on the right path.
“Hopefully we see him back in the game in the near future.”
With several established Storm stars leaving the club in the off-season, and key forward Eli Katoa out for the season through injury, Meaney pointed to the importance of stepping up as a leader in 2026.
“Obviously we’ve lost Paps, Nelson and Eli (Katoa) as well, those guys were big figures in our team and their voices get heard across the group,” he said.
“I’m looking to that area, to be a good voice for the younger kids and even older guys like Hughesy (Jahrome Hughes) and Mun (Cameron Munster)—sometimes they need a bit of a rile up and someone to put them in their place, I want to step into that role.”
The Storm begins its 2026 NRL Premiership campaign against the Eels on Thursday, March 5 at AAMI Park.