Melbourne Storm and Papua New Guinea-born winger Xavier Coates has all but ruled out the chance of shifting to the new team to be based out of Port Moresby when they join the NRL in 2028.
Coates is off-contract at the Storm at the end of 2026, and can negotiate with rival clubs from November 1 this year if his deal isn't renewed.
It was recently reported the Storm were looking to open talks with Coates, as well as teammates Harry Grant and Jahrome Hughes who are also out of contract at the end of 2026.
The immediate concern for the Storm is the Perth Bears side who enter the competition in 2027 and can begin to sign players from November 1 this year for their inaugural campaign, but Coates had the potential additional lure of playing for the side based out of Port Moresby.
But the winger, currently in Queensland camp, told News Corp his preference would be to remain with Melbourne, and that he is unclear on how the team in Port Moresby is going to work.
“I am happy with my time at Melbourne,” the winger was quoted as saying by the publication.
“I don't know the whole gist of the new NRL team (Papua New Guinea) coming in, but I am happy down in Melbourne so I'm not focusing too far ahead.
“I don't know how it's going to work to be honest.
“I know rugby league is a massive sport in PNG, it's the national sport, so getting a massive fan base around them won't be a trouble at all.
“It would be great to see a lot of players go to PNG and play for them.”
The concern for the Papua New Guinea side will be attracting elite talent.
The Dolphins struggled when they first entered the competition despite being coached by Wayne Bennett and located in south-east Queensland, and there are similar concerns for the Perth Bears, who will be able to begin recruitment from November 1 this year.
