Melbourne Storm cop unexpected blow as key target rejects signing with powerhouse NRL club
Craig Bellamy and Frank Ponissi had been hoping to snare the key forward down south.
Fonua Pole's decision to sign a new two-year deal with the Wests Tigers serves as a massive show of faith in Benji Marshall and an unexpected blow for Craig Bellamy and the Melbourne Storm. Bellamy and football boss Frank Ponissi had been courting 22-year-old forward Pole in the hope of bringing him south to Melbourne.
Bellamy and Ponissi usually get their man, but Pole has opted to stay at the Tigers until the end of 2027. Pole was born in Wellington and raised in Melbourne, and the Storm had been hopeful of bringing him back 'home' after identifying him as a talent in the making. Pole's younger brother Suli is in the Storm system, but he ultimately decided his future lies at the Tigers.
The 22-year-old became a pivotal member of the Tigers' forward pack in 2024 and cemented his spot as starting lock in Marshall's side. He's only missed two games since making his debut in round 16 of the 2022 season, and averaged career-best numbers for run-metres and tackle breaks in 2024.
With Stefano Utoikamanu already leaving the Tigers for the Storm for 2025, Pole loomed as the most important middle forward for the Tigers to secure for their future under Marshall. But the Storm had also been trying to pry another one of Benji's men away from Sydney.
"I'm so happy knowing I'll be here at the club for at least the next three seasons," Pole said on Friday after re-signing. "Although it's been a tough few years, I've loved the mateship and resilience in the team. Now is such an exciting time for us as a club. I just want to keep working hard and continue to improve as a player."
RELATED:
NRL urged to step in and block Latrell Mitchell and Addo-Carr move
Brutal detail in draw that could rule two teams out of Ben Hunt chase
His decision to re-sign comes as another major win for Marshall and Tigers bosses, who have recruited heavily in a bid to end a run of three-consecutive wooden spoons. They've signed four-time premiership-winner Jarome Luai from the Panthers, Terrell May from the Roosters, Royce Hunt from the Sharks and Jack Bird from the Dragons. With young guns Lachie Galvin and Jahream Bula one year older and wiser, and captain Api Koroisau still on deck, it looks like the Tigers are finally getting the key pieces they need for success.
Ryan Papenhuyzen on cusp of one-year extension with Storm
As for the Storm, they're failure to lure Pole will come as a disappointing blow. Bellamy's team appear to have convinced Ryan Papenhuyzen to sign a one-year extension that will also allow them to keep exciting youngster Sua Fa'aologo.
Papenhuyzen has drawn significant interest from a number of Sydney teams, and the Storm are wary of blocking Fa'alogo's path to the starting fullback spot. But Papenhuyzen is believed to be on the verge of a one-year extension that will keep him in Melbourne for 2025 and 2026, and allow him to reassess his future later.
Storm CEO Justin Rodski said this week: "I think that's a great option for both club and player, and it gives us all another at least two years with Ryan Papenhuyzen wearing the Melbourne Storm jersey. I think we all know that Ryan Papenhuyzen in full flight is our starting fullback. We're pretty confident, off the back of the finish to the season that we've just had, that he'll come back at full strength, he'll have his full pace back, and it's going to be really exciting for everyone to see.
