Maroons and Kangaroos Star’s Season in Jeopardy Following Achilles Surgery
The Melbourne Storm and Queensland Maroons’ promising 2026 NRL season has been dealt a significant blow on the eve of its commencement, with star winger Xavier Coates ruled out for a minimum of three months. The devastating news comes as the club grapples with ongoing off-field dramas.
Melbourne Storm confirmed in a statement that Coates will undergo Achilles surgery in the coming week, following a thorough medical assessment. This procedure will sideline the prolific try-scorer for a substantial period, casting a shadow over the club’s early campaign.
Coates has cemented his status as one of the NRL’s most exciting talents since his debut in 2019 with the Brisbane Broncos. His move to the Melbourne Storm in 2022 saw his already impressive career trajectory continue upwards. Across his first 108 NRL appearances, Coates has amassed a remarkable 79 tries, showcasing his exceptional finishing ability. His 2025 season was particularly stellar, with the winger crossing the try-line an astounding 20 times.
The winger’s impact extends beyond club level. Coates has been a consistent presence for Queensland in the State of Origin series, representing the Maroons from 2020 to 2025. In his 13 appearances for the Maroons, he has contributed six tries, proving his mettle on the biggest stage of representative football. His contributions were instrumental in Melbourne’s back-to-back NRL premiership victories in 2024 and 2025, highlighting his importance to the team’s success.
Furthermore, Coates has represented Australia at the international level, featuring in three Tests during the 2024 season. While he didn’t register any tries in those fixtures, his inclusion in the Kangaroos squad underscored his standing as one of the game’s elite players.
The timing of Coates’ injury is particularly unfortunate, occurring just as the NRL season was set to kick off. This setback forces the Storm to reassess their wing stocks and strategise for the opening rounds without one of their most potent attacking weapons.
Off-Field Turmoil Compounds Storm’s Woes
Adding to the club’s woes, the Melbourne Storm’s pursuit of St. George Illawarra Dragons centre Zac Lomax has been significantly complicated by an ongoing legal dispute with the Parramatta Eels. The Eels have initiated court proceedings to enforce a release clause in Lomax’s contract, which reportedly prevents him from signing with another NRL club until the end of 2028 without their explicit consent.
Court documents have surfaced alleging that the Melbourne Storm agreed to cover Lomax’s legal fees, a sum that could potentially reach $250,000. This arrangement has raised pertinent questions regarding its implications for the NRL’s salary cap regulations. If this payment is deemed a benefit under the salary cap, it could create considerable roster complications for the Storm, who are reportedly operating with no remaining cap space.
The central tenets of the legal case revolve around whether the Parramatta Eels unlawfully restrained Lomax and if a binding release agreement was indeed in place. The outcome of these proceedings is crucial, not only for Lomax’s immediate playing future but also for the broader implications it may have on player contract negotiations and release clauses within the NRL.
Lomax is considered highly unlikely to be available for the Storm in the opening rounds of the season, with the legal proceedings scheduled to be heard in the NSW Supreme Court on Monday, March 2. This legal entanglement means the Storm could be facing the start of their premiership defence without both a key winger in Coates and a highly sought-after centre in Lomax. The club now faces the dual challenge of managing a significant injury to a star player and navigating complex legal battles that could impact their squad depth and financial flexibility.
