The Melbourne Storm have confirmed during their final game of 2026 that six players are departing the club, leaving hope an off-contract duo may be re-signed.
During Thursday night's loss to the Penrith Panthers, the club flashed a graphic on the big screen confirming the departures of Shawn Blore (Brisbane Broncos), Nick Meaney (Perth Bears), Davvy Moale (Manly Sea Eagles), Will Warbrick (New Zealand Warriors), Tyran Wishart (Perth Bears) and the most recently announced Tui Kamikamica who has been forced in to medical retirement.
The Storm have also lost Lazarus Vaalepu who departed in the middle of the year for the English Super League.
The club have also moved to re-sign a host of young talent throughout the season, with Jai Bowden, Cooper Clarke, Gabriel Satrick and Hayden Watson all confirming they would remain with the club alongside captain and Queensland Maroons dummy half Harry Grant.
The only internal question left to answer for Melbourne now stems around Jack Hetherington and Trent Toelau.
The duo are both off-contract at the end of 2026, but weren't included in the dpearting players list during the final home game of the year, so could yet sign on to contract extensions with the Victorian-based outfit.
The two questions around the fringe first-grade players are set an intriguing time for the Storm as Craig Bellamy prepares for what is likely his final season in charge of the club before retiring himself.
Melbourne have already confirmed they will bring in Jamayne Isaako, Kelma Tuilagi and Bronson Xerri for the 2027 campaign in a trio of big scalps, while hope remains Eliesa Katoa will return to the field after missing 2026 in its entirety following a traumatic head injury suffered playing for Tonga at the 2025 Pacific Championships.
Of the six departures, Kamikamica and Meaney are the most experienced, while Shawn Blore has had a mixed year in the second-row.
Davvy Moale has barely featured during a one-year stop over before joining the Sea Eagles, while Wishart is a star of the future who can play multiple positions.
Warbrick was a walk up starter on the wing for Melbourne, but suffered a season-ending injury some weeks ago and the Warriors are now hoping to have him fit for Round 1.
